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Can you run, jump and play with 100% confidence?

Many men and women, from athletes to the elderly, may have compromised lifestyles due to a poorly functioning pelvic floor.

The pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles which forms the floor of the pelvis, attaching to the pubic bone at the front and the coccyx (tail bone) at the back. It provides support for the abdominal contents, bladder, womb (uterus) and rectum and forms an important part of the muscular stability for the pelvis, lower back and trunk.

Symptoms of a weak pelvic floor:

• Pelvic instability leading to lower back pain plus ongoing soft tissue injuries in the lower limbs.
• Minor leakage when playing sport, coughing, sneezing or when involved in heavy lifting either at work or in the gym.
• A feeling of a bladder that never fully empties.
• Needing to get up through the night more than once.
• Urgency – that is a feeling of not being able to hold on.
• Compromising your fluid intake due to the availability of toilets or being embarrassed about your frequency.
• A feeling of pressure within your pelvis or a ‘falling out’ feeling.

Weakness can affect anybody

Problems with pelvic floor function can occur to both men and women at any stage in life. Weakness may result from everyday strains such as chronic coughing or back pain, or from trauma such as pregnancy, childbirth or surgery.Other factors such as repeated heavy lifting in the gym (or at work), ageing or menopause or being overweight can also affect your pelvic floor function.

Improve your athletic performance

In athletes, pelvic floor issues are common due to the physical exertion they put themselves through, but are exacerbated by poor lifting techniques or overactive abdominals during exercise. Even elite athletes such as AFL footballers, have been diagnosed with pelvic floor issues leading to soft tissue injuries such as repeated groin strains.A poorly functioning pelvic floor often results in some form of incontinence. This condition affects almost four million Australians – so please be aware that you are not alone.However, incontinence won’t go away unless you act on it…now!

Seeing is Believing with Real Time Ultrasound (RTUS)

Both our qualified staff and clients are amazed at the value and accuracy of the visual feedback that RTUS provides. This exciting new technology provides visual evidence that ensures you are using the correct motor control patterns when trying to contract your pelvic floor and core muscles.

Retraining is essential

• Symptoms, such as those outlined in this page, can be prevented, treated, improved and cured with pelvic floor retraining.
• Research has shown that three quarters (75%) of people adhering to a rehabilitation program report significant improvements in their symptoms with strengthening and retraining exercises.
• Research demonstrates that with written guidance alone, 65% of pelvic floor contractions are inappropriate, further supporting the need to visualise the contraction.
• To book a physiotherapy assessment with a female physiotherapist who specializes in women’s health, please telephone 9583 5248, requesting a Pelvic Floor Assessment.

What to expect at your initial consultation:

• You will be asked some questions about your symptoms by the physiotherapist and you may be sent a survey to complete prior to your first consultation.
• You may be offered an ultrasound scan or internal examination to help the physiotherapist determine the most appropriate course of treatment to enable a personal and tailored programme to be prescribed for you.
• The assessment will, of course, be carried out in strictest confidence and privacy. You may bring a chaperone to your assessment if you wish.