Womens Health @ Coolum Sports & Spinal

We like to allow 60mins for your initial appointment (in most cases, this may vary in some circumstances) to ensure that there is enough time to take a detailed and thorough history and to allow plenty of time for discussion, education, treatment, and questions.

Your initial appointment will involve some form of assessment, but this will depend on the condition you are seeking treatment for. Where appropriate this may consist of an internal vaginal exam, but this will be discussed in more detail at your appointment where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the reasons behind the assessment. Other assessment methods include real time ultrasound, biofeedback and musculoskeletal screening.

After your assessment, your Physiotherapist will be able to discuss with you the diagnosis, and the options for treatment. This may involve a variety of things including (but certainly not limited to) pelvic floor muscle training, bladder and bowel management and strength and exercise programs. You will always leave our rooms with a good understanding of your diagnosis and with a comprehensive plan in place to improve your symptoms.

What Do I Wear?
Whatever you feel comfortable in!

Do I need to bring anything?
Any relevant scans, letters or reports, as well as current medication lists. Sometimes we will also require a full bladder if we are planning on using the ultrasound machine for assessment, but the reception staff will let you know prior to your appointment

No other stage of life stresses the pelvic floor more than pregnancy and childbirth. Even caesarian births affect the pelvic floor as it still stretches and bears the weight of the pregnant uterus for nine months. Maintaining pelvic floor strength and function throughout your pregnancy and postnatally is essential.

Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic Girdle Pain is very common during pregnancy due to the major changes that occur within your body both physically and hormonally. A combination of hands-on treatment, strength and conditioning and mobility work is used to treat these aches and pains throughout pregnancy.

Pregnancy Exercise Classes

Exercise in pregnancy has been shown to reduce complications such as gestational diabetes and pre eclampsia and is a great way to reduce and treat pelvic girdle pain. The classes are run from our Sippy Downs practice and offer a supportive environment to keep you strong and active right up until delivery.

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy is a blessing and is a thrilling, special time in your life that should be cherished. However, it can also be a physical and emotional rollercoaster, which is why it is so important for mums-to-be to take some time out to relax, be pampered and ease the aches, pains, and tension that come with pregnancy.

At Sports & Spinal we have a special pregnancy massage cushion, enabling Mums-to-be to be massaged while laying on their stomach. Our massage therapists use a specialised massage oil blend to massage your entire body focusing on the areas that most need work.

All initial massages are charged at 50% off – contact your local clinic to book in otday!

Postnatal Follow-Up

A Pelvic Floor check is an essential part of your post-natal recovery and is highly recommended prior to returning to exercise to prevent any long term complications. Our Physiotherapists work closely with our Exercise Physiologist to ensure new mums are building their pelvic floor strength as well as their general strength and fitness to support their lifestyles and health and fitness goals. We also offer specific post natal ‘Active Mums’ strengthening classes which achieve all of the above in a supportive class environment, where little ones are welcome!

The term ‘pelvic floor’ refers to the group of muscles that sit at the base of the pelvis. Their job is to provide support to the pelvic organs; bladder, vagina, uterus and rectum, as well as maintain continence.

The pelvic floor muscles can become weakened during pregnancy and childbirth, but they are can also be affected by constipation, a chronic cough and repetitive heavy lifting. Menopause can also influence how these muscles work.

Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine. There are several different types of incontinence.

Stress Urinary Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine with exercise, coughing, sneezing or movement such as rolling bed or standing from a chair.

Urge Urinary Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine with the urge to go to the toilet. People often describe this as ‘not quite making it in time!’

Fecal Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of stool; liquid or formed.

The term prolapse refers to any movement of the pelvic organs from their original position. Prolapse is commonly seen in women following childbirth but can happen at any stage during a woman’s life. Common symptoms include feelings of bulging or heaviness in the vagina or anus, difficulty emptying the bladder and/or bowel and difficulty keeping a tampon in.