Experienced physiotherapists with a special interest in Women's Health assist with various musculoskeletal changes that occur in the child-bearing year. Basic antenatal or postnatal exercise programs are designed for each patient. In addition, further strategies are used to effectively treat:
These conditions are often greatly relieved with various strategies including pain relieving modalities, deep massage and other manual therapies, core-stability muscle strengthening, postural stretches, specific muscle balancing and co-ordination techniques (including retraining, positioning and patterning) and sometimes external supports and splints.
Experienced Physiotherapists assist parents in:
Physiotherapists experienced in the management of soft tissue trauma and sports injuries offer children and adolescents appropriate acute and longer term management of musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries, taking into account the special requirements of the musculoskeletal system before maturation and completion of growth.
Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is a common condition in children and many parents/carers manage the condition within the family. Nocturnal enuresis can be hereditary. Physiotherapy can optimise recovery through the use of bedwetting alarms, pelvic floor muscle function, bladder retraining, fluid intake and education for both children and parents.
Children with bladder dysfunction often present with bowel symptoms. Constipation is more common in children than reported to family practitioners. This problem can be managed conservatively by pelvic floor physiotherapists using bowel charts, defaecation dynamics, monitoring fluid/fibre intake and pelvic floor muscle retraining.
Daytime urinary symptoms include urinary frequency (voiding > 7 times/day), incomplete emptying of the bladder, recurrent urinary tract infections and leaking of urine during the day. Pelvic floor physiotherapy treats these symptoms through bladder emptying techniques, pelvic floor muscle retraining, bladder retraining and relaxed voiding.
Experienced physiotherapists provide assessment and conservative management for a range of pelvic floor disorders in women, men and children. Conditions treated include stress and urge urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and obstructed defecation, perineal descent and prolapse, various pain syndromes and nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting).
Therapy can include relaxation of overactive muscles, correct activation and strengthening of weak muscles (pelvic floor and deep abdominals), bladder retraining and specific muscle co-ordination techniques, retraining, positioning and “patterning”.
These simple techniques have been shown to be extremely effective in helping many problems associated with pelvic floor dysfunction and is recommended as the first option before any surgery is considered.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can result in urinary and/or faecal incontinence. Loss of urine with coughing and sneezing (stress urinary incontinence), is the most common symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction and many women may be affected by this condition. Pelvic Floor physiotherapists can assist in the assessment and treatment of incontinence by an individualised pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation programme. Imaging of the pelvic floor muscles by Real-time ultrasound is available as a biofeedback tool. This is useful for those clients who have difficulty isolating and identifying these muscles that needs to be strengthened and co-ordinated. Further treatment in the form of bladder/bowel retraining, dietary advice as well as lifestyle and general exercise advice may be given.
Pelvic organ prolapse is the downward movement of a pelvic organ such as the bladder, bowel or uterus, into the vagina. Long-term strain on the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic organs through heavy lifting, chronic coughing, straining due to constipation and increased weight can lead to prolapse. Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles following childbirth put women at risk of developing prolapse. Symptoms can be managed by tailored lifestyle advice from a Pelvic Floor physiotherapist following assessment. Treatment will include an individualised pelvic floor rehabilitation programme and the option of biofeedback for clients who have difficulty isolating and identifying the pelvic floor muscles.
Dietary advice, general exercise and use of optimum positioning on the toilet together with correct patterns of muscle co-ordination, are all helpful in the management of constipation. Conservative management of constipation by Pelvic Floor physiotherapists can prevent complications such as prolapse and pelvic floor muscle weakening.
Assessment of pelvic floor muscle activity prior to Gynaecological surgery by a Pelvic Floor physiotherapist can ensure optimum strength and function is achieved through correct technique of muscle activation. Expert advice on exercise and general well-being can be given in preparation for gynaecological surgery. Post-operative follow-up by the Pelvic Floor physiotherapist can ensure appropriate progression of abdominal and pelvic floor muscle exercises as well as tailored lifestyle advice can be given to aid in recovery.
Urinary incontinence is a common consequence in men post radical prostatectomy. Removal of the prostate gland and associated vessels can lead to leakage of urine. Pelvic floor physiotherapists can assist in the assessment and treatment of this problem through pelvic floor muscle retraining, bladder retraining, maintenance of bowel function and education.
Experienced physiotherapist and accredited osteoporosis educator Helen Beech assists clients to develop a specific management program based on individual assessment and personalised, agreed goals. Programs are aimed at improving muscle strength, flexibility, balance and postural awareness, thereby reducing the risk of falls.
Individual consultations form one part of a self-management program which includes the options of Osteoporosis Education and Self-Management Series, exercise classes and the clients ongoing home exercise program.
At the Mater Health and Wellness Clinic, experienced post-graduate musculoskeletal physiotherapists provide hands on assessment and treatment for all musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Physiotherapy staff at the clinic provide individualised management, including hands-on treatment, precision exercises, ergonomics advice, and fitness and physical lifestyle advice.
At your request, and at no additional cost, we can provide on request:
Mater Health and Wellness Clinic Physiotherapy is affiliated with the Mater/University of Queensland Back Stability Clinic. If specialised care is needed for a low back problem, then the Back Stability Clinic, using ultrasound imaging, can provide expert and knowledgeable management for complex and chronic conditions.
For more information about the Back Stability Clinic, please telephone (07) 3163 1529.
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