What Does A Women’s Health Physiotherapist Do?

Physio&SoleClinic Physiotherapy May 18 2022

In the past, women’s health physiotherapy generally covered the field of obstetrics, focusing on conditions like pelvic pain and back pain during pregnancy. However, in recent years, women’s health physiotherapy is growing to encompass a wider range of conditions relating to the pelvic floor that affects the bladder, vagina, and bowel. While pregnancy issues and post-natal physiotherapy are still a focus, women’s health physios in Singapore also treat other conditions like urinary incontinence and vaginismus, among others. Read on as Women’s and Children’s Centre (WACC) looks at the potential benefits of treatment and what you can expect from an appointment. 

First Off, What Is The Pelvic Floor? 

The pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles that runs from the tailbone to the middle of the pubic bone forming a hammock-like shape. It functions to support the uterus, vagina, bladder, and the bowel. The weakening of pelvic floor muscle alters how these pelvic organs are supported and can result in incontinence, organ prolapse, and sexual health issues. Chronic cough, continuous straining, high impact sports, obesity, ageing, pregnancy, and childbirth are known factors that lead to pelvic floor muscle weakness.

A women’s health physiotherapist in Singapore has the skills and expertise to treat pelvic floor weakness and dysfunction through pelvic floor physiotherapy. It is highly advisable to consult a women’s health physio in Singapore during pregnancy and after the delivery of your baby. 

1. Antenatal 

Pregnancy causes the body to go through numerous changes; for example, as the baby grows, the hips widen to create more room for the baby and to prepare the body for labour and giving birth. A hormone known as relaxin loosens the ligaments in the body, particularly those that surround the pelvis, allowing the joints to be more flexible. These changes place you at higher risk of developing pelvic pain, also known as Pelvic Girdle Pain. While this is a common complaint, many expectant mothers also suffer from back pain during pregnancy due to increased spinal curvatures and poor posture. 

Women’s health physiotherapists in Singapore are experts in treating antenatal complaints. A women’s health physio can also advise you on the appropriate exercises to do during pregnancy to prevent complications.

Furthermore, they can also educate you on the best position to adopt during labour for pain relief and to speed up the process of labour.

2. Postnatal 

Seeing a women’s health physiotherapist in Singapore after giving birth can help assess if your pelvic floor muscles are activating correctly. They will also examine if diastasis recti is present before providing you with a postnatal physiotherapy treatment plan. Most new mothers tend to seek guidance from a women’s health physio in Singapore on safe return to exercise. In addition, they may also consult the physiotherapist on how to manage perineal tears that may have been sustained during delivery.  Pelvic floor damage often results in urine incontinence, which we will discuss further in the next section.  

Postnatal physiotherapy can also address complaints regarding caesarean section scar discomfort. Treatment may include soft tissue mobilization and desensitization.  After delivery, some mothers may also experience aches and pains like mummy’s wrist. This could be attributed to poor posture or inefficient body mechanics when you are looking after your baby. To prevent your condition from worsening, we recommend you to seek professional help from a women’s health physiotherapist for treatment. 

3. Urinary Incontinence 

Despite urinary incontinence being a common condition experienced by women who have had children, it is not normal, and you should seek treatment for it. Urine incontinence can be categorised into three types: 

• Stress urinary incontinence occurs with activities like prolonged coughing, running, or jumping. These activities result in an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.
• Urge urinary incontinence refers to the inability to hold when the bladder becomes full or when you experience the sensation to pass urine. 
• Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder is unable to empty completely when you pass urine; bladder leaks or dribble happens when your bladder becomes too full. Both types of urine incontinence are common in pregnancy as the extra weight from the foetus can place more pressure onto the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. This problem can persist even after childbirth.

Urine incontinence is a personal and sensitive problem, as such, many women do not seek treatment or physiotherapy for their condition. When left untreated, urine incontinence can lead to other complications such as urinary tract infections. Long-standing incontinence also leads to poor mental health.

Here at Women’s and Children’s Centre (WACC), our women’s health physiotherapists can help in treating and managing your incontinence. Your treatment program will be focused on pelvic floor muscle training. The women’s health physiotherapist will guide you to ensure that you are activating your pelvic floor correctly. The customised pelvic floor physiotherapy will strengthen your pelvic floor and improve your urine control. In addition, bladder training, diet and proper hydration will also be advised in your session..

What To Expect For Your First Women’s Health Physio Session?

The physiotherapy session will begin with your physiotherapist understanding more about your condition. They will usually take a thorough history of your condition, asking more about your symptoms before conducting a physical examination. This enables them to provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a physiotherapy programme tailored to your unique symptoms. 

At WACC, our physiotherapists use a non-invasive imaging technology called real time ultrasound (RUTS) for dynamic assessment and rehabilitation of  your pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles. Our  women’s health physio programme in Singapore does not only focus on exercises but also puts emphasis on educating our patients about their condition to optimise treatment outcomes. 

Book an appointment with us today, and let us help you lead a better quality of life.