Pelvic Floor Health
Up to one third of women will experience a problem with their pelvic floor at some point in their lives. Some common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction are:
- leaking with cough, sneeze and exercise
- wiping three or more times after a poo
- pain with intercourse or inserting period products
- feelings of heaviness, bulging or dragging in the vagina
- difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels, and
- lower back, hip and tummy pain.
Sometimes, these issues can surface around pregnancy and childbirth - however can occur at any stage of a woman's life, due to a multitude of different reasons.
Understandably, many women feel hesitant about seeking support for such intimate issues. Our mission is to normalise the discussion of our pelvic floor with family, friends and in the community so that more women can seek treatment early and improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
Restore Osteopath, Haley Dillion, specialises in musculoskeletal pelvic health. She is trained and certified to perform internal examinations, should they be necessary. Haley can provide ACC subsidised treatment for approved birth injury claims as well as private or ACC treatment for general musculoskeletal complaints and injuries that have a pelvic floor presentation. You do not need a referral to see an osteopath.
What to expect at a 'Pelvic Warrant of Fitness' appointment with Haley.....
A pelvic floor or post-natal WOF is 60 mins long initially. It involves a comprehensive consultation; examination (with or without internal assessment), followed by treatment, exercise and aftercare advice.
The consent process is robust, and you can stop the appointment at any point in time. Of utmost importance is your comfort and consent throughout the process.
An internal assessment of the pelvic floor allows Haley to determine whether your pelvic floor requires strengthening, or stretching and relaxing, and allows her to correctly teach you how to contract, control and relax your pelvic floor muscles properly.
Internal assessment is the 'gold standard' for pelvic floor treatment. Having said this, if you choose not to have an internal assessment, there are external examination techniques and treatments that Haley is able to utilise. If you are having a post-natal check, it is recommended to wait at least six weeks after giving birth.
Please email us if you have any further questions about how Osteopathy can help with Pelvic Foor Health.
To book a Pelvic WOF with Haley, click the button below.