Singapore Women’s Health Physiotherapy
What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?
Women’s Health Physiotherapy was originally founded from the clinical area of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which is the care of women in relation to childbirth. Currently, the scope of practice has now increased to include all health concerns of women covering their entire lifespan. Our specialists are highly trained professionals who can treat incontinence, pelvic pain, rehabilitation following gynaecological or breast surgery, antenatal and postnatal musculoskeletal pain, prolapse and osteoporosis. Here at the Women & Children Centre by Physio & Sole, our experienced physiotherapists can help women of all ages affected by injury or disability.
The Need For Women’s Health Physiotherapy
Research has shown that:
- ⅓ of all women have experienced urinary leakage
- ½ of all women undergo prolapse symptoms
- ⅕ women suffer from pelvic or sexual pain
- ⅑ women reported poor bowel control
When shared with general healthcare providers, these concerns are often brushed aside and normalised. However, our women’s health physiotherapists do not take your worries lightly as they are a team made up of all women too – they can empathise and sympathise with all that you may be going through or facing. That being said, our experienced and compassionate physiotherapists in Singapore are here to assure you that these are legitimate concerns that are far from the normal functioning of your body. Do not fret because you are not alone in facing these conditions as these are common issues faced by many other women too.
You can comfortably share your health concerns with our physiotherapists who are dedicated to creating a safe space for you to discuss what you are facing, because they understand the physical and emotional toll that it can take on women when these changes occur in life. No matter what your health goals are – be it no pain in your pelvis region, not having to rush to the toilet, saying goodbye to urinary leakage, being able to freely engage in pain-free sexual intercourse with your partner or taking back control of your body, our expert team of physiotherapists is ready to provide you with a better understanding of your condition, educate you on different strategies to manage your condition at home and empower you to overcome what you are dealing with.
What to expect from a Women’s Health Physiotherapy Session?
The women’s health physiotherapy session will begin with your physiotherapist taking a thorough history of your condition. This is for us to understand your unique symptoms as no diagnosis is the same. A physical health assessment will then be conducted, this may include checking your posture and the way you move. If there are specific concerns with your pelvic floor, an external and internal vaginal examination might also be performed. We also have real time ultrasound imaging in our clinic to assess the function of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
A big part of the Women and Children Centre’s physiotherapy treatment in Singapore is educating our patients with the knowledge of their injury or condition. Going the extra mile, our women’s health physiotherapy will create a custom rehabilitation program that optimises treatment outcomes and facilitates your recovery in the quickest and safest manner.
The treatment session itself will usually consist of one or more of the following:
- Manual Therapy
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Electrophysical agents: Electrical Stimulation, Ultrasound therapy
- Soft Tissue Release and Mobilisation
- Functional Rehabilitation
You will be involved in making the decisions and developing a joint partnership in managing your fitness and health. Let us help you with individualised care tailored to your unique needs as a woman. For supportive women’s health physiotherapy treatment in Singapore, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions on Women’s Health Physiotherapy
1. What does a women’s health Physiotherapist do?
A women’s health physiotherapist specialising in women's health focuses on addressing the specific healthcare requirements of females throughout their lives. They offer evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and oversight of disorders that impact the pelvic floor, such as sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain, bladder and bowel control, prolapse, and issues related to pregnancy.
2. When should I seek help from a women’s health physiotherapist?
You should seek help from a women’s health physiotherapist if you are experiencing any of the following conditions:
- Urinary incontinence: If you are experiencing accidental leakage of urine when you
- cough, sneeze, or exercise.
- Pelvic organ prolapse: If you feel a bulge or pressure in the vagina, or have a sensation of something coming out of the vagina.
- Pain during intercourse: If you experience pain or discomfort during sexual activity.
- Pre or postnatal issues: If you are pregnant and experiencing pain or discomfort in the pelvis or lower back, or if you have recently given birth and are experiencing issues such as perineal pain, urinary incontinence, or prolapse.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek help from a women's health physiotherapist who can assess and diagnose the underlying condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan to help you manage or resolve your symptoms.
3. What Is A Prolapse And How Can Physiotherapy Help?
In our body, our pelvic organs include the bladder, uterus and rectum. These are supported by a network of connective tissue along with our pelvic floor muscles. Occasionally, especially after childbirth, the connective tissue can suffer damage and this changes the support to the organs. Progressively, they may start to bulge or sag onto the vagina walls. Consequently, you may experience these symptoms – a heavy sensation or dragging in the vagina, a bulge or a lump could develop, your bladder may not empty as it should, you may experience difficulty in clearing your bowels or you could experience recurring urinary tract infections.
But do not worry, a mild prolapse can often be treated without surgery. For higher grade prolapse, symptoms can be well managed with physiotherapy. A simple approach would involve pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation by our women’s health physiotherapists where a customised plan is catered to your individual needs. Undertaking lifestyle changes such as improving your diet, fluid intake, losing weight and following the targeted exercise programme by your physiotherapist for the supporting muscles such as pelvic floor and your abdominals, can also aid greatly. Additionally, they will educate you on good toileting habits to avoid straining.
Is It Normal To Leak After Sneezing Or During Running?
Urine leakage when sneezing or running is a medical condition known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Studies show that 13% of women between 19-44 will develop SUI and 36% aged 45-65 will develop the condition. It is associated with the weakening of the pelvic floor muscle that supports your bladder. When you laugh, cough, sneeze or run, they are unable to resist the downward abdominal pressure induced by these actions.
But on a positive note, it is a very manageable condition through specialised pelvic floor physiotherapy done by women’s health physios and it is possible to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. If you are experiencing these problems, make haste to start as soon as possible to prevent it from negatively affecting your life in a bigger way.
5. What Should I Wear?
Dress in comfortable clothes that enable you to move with ease so our team of women’s health physiotherapists are able to fully assess your condition and guide you through the physiotherapy process without you feeling any discomfort.
Google Reviews
The therapist (Maureen) was great. Very experienced, patient and caring, made me feel very comfortable throughout the entire 4 sessions I had with her. Will definitely recommend her to anyone who needs such therapy. The counter staff are very responsive, friendly and efficient. Understanding and prompt in accommodating requests to make changes to appointments. Prompt service and zero waiting time during all my 4 sessions there. Overall, excellent standard of care and service. Keep up the good work!
Thanks to physiotherapist Maureen’s patience, understanding and expert guidance, I was able to make significant progress in my condition over three sessions! Most of all, her empathy, assuring presence and listening ear helped me to feel understood, comforted and supported in my anxieties. Will fully recommend the clinic and Maureen as a wonderful community resource for women & children issues.
So far good experience. Dr Maureen is nice and friendly so I didn't feel awkward throughout. She's also knowledgeable and prioritize my comfort. The receptionist is pleasant as well. Overall, I feel cared for and safe to have my womanly issues treated at their clinic
I was referred by my gynac for my pelvic gridle pain. I have been working with Maureen and I'm super delighted with the way she has been handling my issue. She is extremely patient and explains well. I have been to physios earlier but never really seen satisfying results; this is the first time I feel it's worth it cause I'm able to see how it is making a difference. I still have a few sessions to go but I'm glad I signed up and I look forward to my appointments. There is no hard selling, and the reception staff is super warm and helpful. Overall, very good experience.
I’m happy with my overall experience consulting this clinic through Maureen. She educated me well about vaginismus and go through with me patiently with all the FAQs in my head. I’m progressing now with her guidance and support. Thank you.
I've been seeing Ms Maureen for my pelvic floor after birth and she has been great in showing me exercises to strengthen my weak pelvic floor after my third birth. Ms Maureen takes time to explain the anatomy to me which makes it easier for me to follow and excel the exercises. I always look forward to the appointments with her as she is also such an amazing person to chat with. Also, the ladies at the front desk are very friendly and approachable. Love coming to this clinic!
Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Very easy to make an appointment too. The physiotherapist is very knowledgeable and kind. Will definitely come back to complete all my sessions.
I was referred by my gynae to WACC and the physiotherapist, Maureen helped with the weakening of my pelvic muscles post delivery. Maureen is extremely knowledgeable and patiently explained the exercises that would help improve my condition. It has certainly helped and I can see improvement in strengthening the pelvic muscles.
Maureen was able to accommodate my urgent session and helped relieve my pain tremendously.