What happens at your appointment

Questions

In order to have a good understanding of your problems or concerns, it is important to ask you information not only about the problem itself, but also about other aspects of your life.

This may include sleep habits, diet and fluids, exercise, bladder and bowel habits as well as things that make your symptoms worse and things that may help.

This can help to identify potential causes or other drivers to your symptoms.

Assessment

After careful consideration from active listening, a physical assessment will be carried out. This will always be specific to your symptoms and concerns.

This can include

Diastasis recti distance and function with and without movement.
C-section assessment - viewing and touching your scar*.
Postural check including range of movement and special tests.
Pelvic floor assessment* - internal assessment of the muscles to see if they
a) are functioning correctly
b) are fully shortening and lengthening
c) able to sustain a long hold
d) able to relax as well as contract
e) have good coordination and timing
f) have any trigger points or areas of discomfort that may be causing symptoms
Strength testing - core, arms, muscles of the hip, global strength.
Tests specific to your goals.

*Full and valid informed consent will be gained separately prior to this assessment.

Treatments (may include)

Pelvic floor re-training and exercise rehabilitation.
Advice and guidance on what is causing your symptoms and how this can be addressed.
Provision of pelvic floor feedback devices and/or muscle stimulators to help with activation and power of your pelvic floor contraction.
Written provision of pilates based core, hip, back and whole body exercises to give support to the pelvic floor muscles and strengthen you as a whole.
Internal, hands-on therapy techniques to treat areas of the pelvic floor muscles that may need release, including trigger point release and scar massage.
Scar massage and soft tissue release of the connective tissue of the abdomen following a caesarean section delivery.
Relaxation and breathing techniques.
Fluid and simple *dietry management advice
Advice and information regarding appropriate medication management eg for bladder leaking, prolapse and/or vaginal discomfort and dryness.
Guidance on toileting and positional modifications that can help with constipation.
Advice on the use of vaginal trainers, pelvic floor educators or muscle stimulators to assist in the release and relaxation of pelvic muscles
Progressive exercise programme for the pelvic floor as well as the body as a whole.