Learn more about Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Urinary incontinence is perhaps the most widely experienced, least addressed issue in health and wellbeing.
This can occur as early as your teen years and especially after giving birth or undergoing prostate surgery. One third of Kiwi women experience urinary incontinence following childbirth. 1.1 million New Zealanders are affected by urinary incontinence.
It can be mild (occasional leakage of small amounts) or severe (daily leakage, wearing pads and avoiding normal activities/sports). One thing is for sure, while it is common this is not normal. You no longer have to tolerate this or suffer in silence; we have great success rates with treating these conditions. It is not just incontinence that we address with our pelvic health physio services. We address all realms of pelvic floor dysfunctions that also greatly impact many New Zealanders. Did you know that 50% of women post-menopause have a pelvic organ prolapse? Or that up to 10-18% of women have a pain disorder like vestibulodynia that often starts in the teens or 20s? Endometriosis is another condition that can cause significant pelvic pain and impacts approximately 10% of women. With the increasing age of first-time mums, there is a higher risk and incidence of significant maternal birth injury* - where at age 20 your probability is 15%, it is 50% at age 40. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men in New Zealand; recovery from prostate cancer treatments and surgeries can have a significant impact on urinary and sexual functioning. Did you know that pelvic floor dysfunction can occur in any sport, but high impact sports may increase your risk of dysfunction. Male athletes are not immune to pelvic floor dysfunction; although most research focuses on females, male athletes can be overlooked. Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect people of all ages, from young children and teens to the elderly.
*Levator ani avulsion
What exactly do we mean by pelvic floor dysfunction?
The symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can include:
- Increased frequency of urination, during the day and/or night
- Urgency (sudden and uncontrollable desire to go to the toilet)
- Urge incontinence (leaking urine or losing control of your bowels before you can get to the toilet, or uncontrolled passing of wind)
- Stress incontinence (leaking associated with activity, change of position, laughing, coughing, sneezing, running)
- Finding it difficult to fully empty your bladder or bowels, including constipation
- A feeling of a bulge in the vagina, or a feeling of heaviness, discomfort, pulling or dragging in the vagina, rectum or pelvis
- Low back pain that can’t be explained by other causes
- Pelvic pain - this can be more global or more specific to an area of the pelvis (bladder, uterus, pelvic girdle, buttock, pelvic floor muscles or tailbone) and can be associated with bowel and bladder dysfunction
- Pain or restriction with penetrative sexual intercourse
- Erectile dysfunction
Who should seek treatment
- Anyone with weakness or damage to the pelvic floor muscles and who is experiencing any of the symptoms described above
- Women who are pregnant and post-partum - especially those who have experienced a complicated or long birthing process
- Women who are peri- and post-menopausal or who have had a history of gynaecological surgery
- Anyone with a history of back pain that has not been improved with regular MSK physio
- Anyone with a history of chronic respiratory condition associated with coughing,
- Anyone with chronic constipation
- Athletes, particularly those in high-impact sports like rugby, netball, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics or power lifting
- Persons who experience pelvic pain in the bladder, abdomen or saddle area, nerve-type burning pain, or pain during sexual intercourse
- Men who have had prostate surgery or prostate cancer treatment, or have concerns with erectile dysfunction
- Persons with connective tissue disorder (e.g. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
What to expect when you come to see us?
At Habit Health, we have skilled physiotherapists who can work with you to assess and treat your pelvic health concerns. During your first visit, your physiotherapist will go through a thorough history and, with your consent, complete an internal physical examination to assess your pelvic floor function and establish your goals. . With your input, they will develop an overall management plan for your rehabilitation programme that is tailored specifically to you. This will include education, hands-on therapies, instruction of a home programme to address your specific concerns, equipment recommendations and other treatment that is appropriate for your condition. Our aim is to get you back to living your best life – we are honoured you have trusted us to help you along your journey.
How to access this service
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is available to these clinics: