What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy and what to expect?
During a womens health appointment, firstly you will be made to feel at ease! You can expect a thorough discussion about your condition which will include taking a full medical history, discuss your symptoms and concerns related to this and sometimes discuss things more holistically around your whole health. You will also be asked whether you have tried any treatments before.
- Wear something comfortable, that you can move around in.
- Also something that you can get changed in and out of easily may be useful as well.
A physical examination will be required and this may mean looking at how you move and how your body is put together to see if larger themes may be playing a role to your concerns. This may involve assessment of your trunk, legs and arms. Even bladder and bowel concerns can be tied to your whole body.
Equally, this may also include checking your pelvic floor muscles (this is with your full consent). We are assessing for strength, co-ordination and function. Sometimes assessing organ function with visceral manipulation and possibly imaging tests like Ultrasounds.
It is important that you understand the ways in which the therapist might interact with you and your body and at any stage you can say ‘NO’ and ask for an exam to be ended at any point.
The therapist may include certain things in the appointment and give you things to do at home. Together, these may include:
Women's Health Treatments
- hands on treatment (manual techniques),
- Discuss some changes to the way that you eat/drink or urinate/defecate
- Stretching and exercises
- Breathing techniques
- Pelvic floor exercise
- Acupuncture
- Self massage
- Life style changes
- Give you handouts
This will all be to help you meet your goals.
It is essential to communicate openly and honestly with your therapist during the appointment. But remember the plan is for YOU! So please speak up if any parts of it are confusing or don’t seem possible for you in your current situation.