Women’s Health Physiotherapy

 What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?

Women’s Health Physiotherapy is specialised service that helps women in Jersey who have issues with their pelvis or pelvic floor. This could be a bladder or bowel problem (such as incontinence), prolapse, pelvic pain, pregnancy related pain or postnatal issues. Pelvic health conditions are common:

• Pelvic girdle pain affects 1 in every 5 pregnant woman.
• 30-68% of woman will have diastasis recti postpartum.
• 1 in 3 women suffer with incontinence.
• Around 50% of woman have some degree of prolapse postpartum.
• 35% of new mums experience urinary incontinence post childbirth.
• 20% of first-time mums face severe pelvic floor muscle injury after a normal pregnancy

Many women tolerate these problems for years thinking they are a normal part of being a woman. Embarrassment often prevents women seeking help and many women are unaware that there are effective treatments available. Our service is highly confidential and respects the often-sensitive nature of these problems

What conditions do Women’s Health physiotherapists treat?

Women’s Health Physiotherapists can treat a range of complaints, including:

• Bladder dysfunction
• Bowel dysfunction
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Diastasis Recti Abdominis (separation of abdominal muscles)
• C-section scar therapy and advice
• Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica or carpal tunnel syndrome

Specific Services Offered

Antenatal care:

Our specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapist can assess and treat a range of pregnancy-related pains, including back, pelvic girdle pain (PGP), sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, pins and needles or numbness in the hands).

They can also advise on birth preparation and considerations (positions for labour, breathing techniques, perineal massage, relaxation, TENS) and well as pelvic floor exercises and training.

Mummy MOT® (Postnatal Care)

Mummy MOT® is a specialist postnatal examination for women following both vaginal and C-section deliveries. It will assess how your posture, pelvic floor muscles and stomach muscles are recovering after childbirth.

We will work on post-natal abdominal retraining for weak distended abdominal muscles and rectus divarication (separation of abdominal muscles), pelvic floor muscle re-education and strengthening. We can also assist with and treatment for any pain post-pregnancy including back, neck and pelvic pain and practical advice relating to breastfeeding and carrying your baby and improving your posture.

Our Mummy MOT practitioner will provide you with gentle exercises and treatment to help with your recovery – and get you back on track with your fitness goals with a specific programme tailored to you.

C-Section Scar Therapy

If you’ve recently undergone a Caesarean (C-section), you might experience some discomfort around your scar. It’s common to feel a pulling sensation in the scar, which can cause discomfort in other areas of your body, such as your chest, back, and pelvic floor. Your scar may also appear red, raised, tight, and irritated, which can understandably affect how you perceive your body.

Our C-section Scar Therapy uses a blend of techniques and specialised tools to aid in your scar’s recovery. This therapy includes:

• A detailed consultation
• Posture assessment
• Movement assessment
• Scar evaluation
• Abdominal separation check
• Pelvic floor evaluation
• Hands-on scar massage techniques
• Use of specialised scar equipment (LymphaTouch ® device)
• C-section care products
• Nutritional advice
• A tailored scar rehabilitation plan

Gynaecology Physiotherapy:

Gynaecology physio provides treatment of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse including:

• Pelvic floor Physiotherapy (using Kegel exercises, EMG biofeedback and muscle simulation)
• Manual therapy for overactive or painful pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder training for overactive bladder syndrome
• Rehabilitation following pelvic floor surgery or hysterectomy.

What does Women’s Health Physiotherapy treatment involve?

Each treatment is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Given the personal and sensitive nature of this service our Physiotherapist will discuss in detail each aspect of assessment and treatment.

What type of training do Women’s Health Physiotherapists have?

Standard training for Physiotherapists is a 3-4 year Bachelor of science degree (BSc) in physiotherapy. Our resident physiotherapist, Gillian Catterson qualified in 2008 and specialises in women’s health treatment in Jersey.  Physiotherapists are subsequently registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and undertake on-going continuous professional development. Specialising in areas such as Women’s Health requires obtaining specific qualifications and completing training under a professional body such as Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecology Physiotherapy.