Bodylove Physiotherapy

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy in Leamington Spa

Based in a calming and welcoming therapy room at Balm in Leamington Spa, I am a Specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapist, supporting women at all stages of life with their pelvic health. I take a holistic, whole person approach when assessing and treating an individual. I am passionate about empowering women to take control of their health and well-being, and provide a personalised assessment and treatment plan, to reach your individual goals. I will take the time to listen to you and understand what you are struggling with and will formulate a specific treatment programme to address your symptoms.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can help to manage, improve, and resolve new symptoms or ones that you may have been struggling with for many years.

who we are

Qualifications and Specialisms

I am a Registered Physiotherapist with the HCPC and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. I am also a member of the POGP (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy) and I am a certified Mummy MOT practitioner. I have completed APPI Matwork Pilates training, which I regularly incorporate into my treatment plan. I have completed post graduate training in the specialism of pelvic health, and utilises my range of skills to maximise your recovery.

Post Partum Recovery

I am a certified Mummy MOT Practitioner and Specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapist. Whatever type of birth you have had, I am here to support you. You can book in for a Mummy MOT any time after 6 weeks of having a baby. My knowledge and expertise in this area are well

placed to develop your post-partum rehabilitation programme, to get you safely back to day to day activities and exercise.

During a Mummy MOT, I will take a history from you including any current symptoms, birth history, what your goals and expectations are. Then, a posture, breathing and tummy assessment will be completed to look at your general movement and muscle function. A pelvic floor assessment can also be performed to check the pelvic floor muscles, and review what may be contributing to any bladder, bowel or pain symptoms. Once the assessment has been complete, you will be given some treatment advice and exercise to help optimise your recovery. Following your appointment, I will provide you with a report of findings, which will break down the findings from you Mummy MOT assessment and give you some advice going forwards.

If you are struggling with any specific or on going symptom after your initial Mummy MOT, you can choose to book in for a follow up appointment.

Bladder and Bowel Symptoms

Many women will experience either bladder or bowel leaking, frequency or urgency at some point in their lifetime. Although this is common, it is not something that is normal and shouldn’t be put up with. With a thorough assessment, these symptoms can be improved or resolved.

There are different types of urinary incontinence, most commonly stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine on an increase in abdominal pressure. Commonly this presents as leaking with coughing, sneezing, laughing, with exercises such as running or jumping and moving around.

Urge urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine associated with a feeling of bladder urgency. Overactive bladder is an increased frequency and urgency to pass urine, either with or without urinary leaking.

Physiotherapy is helpful for improving and resolving bowel symptoms of either constipation or incontinence.

Pelvic Pain

If you are suffering with persistent pelvic pain, this can have a huge impact on your quality of life. You may be experiencing pain as a result of endometriosis, pelvic surgery, vulvodynia or dyspareunia (pain during intercourse). Physiotherapy can help relieve some of your symptoms, and help you improve and manage your pain.

I utilise a range of techniques to help support you with your pelvic pain. This may include manual therapy, soft tissue massage, breathing and relaxation techniques, mobility and strengthening exercises, as well as sleep, stress and lifestyle advice.

I also offer 1:1 Pilates for Endometriosis sessions. These sessions are designed specifically for helping you feel confident with movement and improve general strength and mobility.

Menopause Support

During the perimenopause period, women's hormones begin to change, which can contribute to a number of different symptoms, including: prolapse & urinary leaking, increased urinary frequency including at night time, joint aches, reduced muscle strength and balance.

Physiotherapy can help by providing specific advice to help your symptoms, maintain muscle strength and reduce the risk of developing pelvic floor related symptoms. Treatment will also be helpful if you are post menopausal.

what to expect at your appointments

Assessment and Treatment

There can be multiple factors that contribute to developing pelvic health issues. I will complete a thorough assessment with you to understand how long this problem has been going on for, what symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting you. Depending on your symptoms, an assessment of your posture, tummy, breathing and pelvic floor assessment may be helpful in determining the cause of the symptoms, and how best to treat them. All assessments are completed with your consent. Following these assessments, I will formulate a personalised treatment programme to address your concerns using some of the following techniques:

· Education and advice

· Breathing and relaxation techniques

· Pelvic floor muscle relaxation

· Pelvic floor muscle strengthening

· Whole body mobility and strengthening exercises

· Core strengthening and rehabilitation

· 1:1 Pilates

· Manual therapy

· Soft tissue massage

Specialist Women's Health Physiotherapy