We get this question a lot!

A Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist is a fully qualified Physiotherapist who has also done extra study (Clinical Masters) to specialize in Continence and Women’s Health. This means they specialize  in treating conditions specific to the pelvis (pelvis, lower back, bladder, bowel, Pelvic Floor muscles). Our Bicton Physiotherapist Anna White is a titled Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist.

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine or fecal matter and can affect males, females or children. A Continence Physiotherapist at Bicton Physiotherapy can manage this and will ask questions to assess bladder and bowel function. They may also check you pelvic floor muscles with the assistance of real time ultrasound imaging (available at Bicton Physio clinic) where they can look at internal muscles.

So what is your pelvic floor? The pelvic floor is a group of superficial and deep muscles at the base of your pelvis. These muscles form part of your ‘core’ along with your diaphragm (breathing muscle) and abdominal (transverse abdominis) and back muscles (multifidus). The pelvic floor supports your internal organs (bladder, bowel, womb/uterus in women, prostate in men).

The pelvic floor muscles are just like any other muscle in your body – they can become weak (particularly after childbirth or menopause or in men after prostate surgery) which can lead to urinary and/or fecal incontinence. BUT just like any other muscle they can be treated and strengthened.

The pelvic floor muscles can also become tight and overactive which can lead to problems such as pain with sex and pain in the pelvis area – it can also contribute to the pain experienced with endometriosis. Tight pelvic floor muscles can lead to problems with constipation and bladder and bowel dysfunction. If you lose strength or support in your pelvic floor this can lead to bladder and bowel leakage, prolapse and pain. These issues take a while to develop so early detection and treatment is the key – yes the good news is these issues can be treated at Bicton Physio!

For more information give us a call at Bicton Physio 9319 3632.

Useful continence and pelvic websites:

https://www.continence.org.au/

https://www.ics.org/2015

http://www.pelvicpain.org.au/

 

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