Written by Leanne Slater – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist at Family Doctors Plus
What is a pelvic floor muscle physiotherapist?
A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a physiotherapist that has had special training in helping to improve the function of your pelvic floor muscles.
What training does a pelvic floor physiotherapist need to have?
Apart from a physiotherapy degree there is not just one qualification that a practitioner needs to have to be a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Some physiotherapist
- complete one or several pelvic floor weekend to week long courses run by experts in the field
- some receive ongoing mentoring from pelvic floor experts
- others have postgraduate University qualifications such as a Graduate Certificate (equivalent to 6 months full time coursework) or a Master’s program (equivalent to 1 year full time coursework).
Often a pelvic floor physiotherapist has completed a combination of these things and you can discuss this with your pelvic floor physiotherapist if you wish.
Where are the pelvic floor muscles?
Your pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles which sit at the base of your pelvis they extend from your pubic bone at the front, to the tail bone at the back and to the sit bones at the sides. The muscles surround your vagina inside, vaginal opening, and anus too.
What do the pelvic floor muscles do?
Your pelvic floor muscles help to
- Stop leakage of urine, wind and faeces
- Support your pelvic organs including your bladder, uterus and bowel/
- Assist sexual health
Should you see a pelvic floor physiotherapist?
If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions then you should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist!
- Do you leak urine when you jump, exercise, laugh, lift, cough or sneeze? Do you want to be able to exercise or sneeze with dry pants after?
- Do you leak urine, wind or stool at any time? Do you want to not have to worry or be embarrassed about leaking?
- Do you have urgency when you need to urinate or have a bowel movement? Do you want to leave the house without worrying where the nearest toilet is?
- Do you need to go to the toilet all the time? Do you wish you did not have to make excuses for all those toilet trips?
- Do you need to get up more than once to urinate during the night? Do you want to get a better nights sleep without your bladder waking you up?
- Do you have vaginal heaviness or a bulge in your vagina? Have you had enough of that feeling and want to get back to being active?
- Do you have problems when you urinate or have a bowel movement such as straining or feeling like you can’t empty properly? Do you wish you could not have to think about your bladder and/or bowel so much?
- Is using a tampon, vaginal penetration or sex painful or even impossible? Do you wish you could enjoy comfortable sex?
- Do you have problems with arousal, desire or orgasm? Do you want to enjoy sex?
- Do you have pain in your pelvis, genitals, or lower abdomen before, during or at any time in your cycle? Do you wish pain did not limit your life?
Pelvic floor problems are very common BUT they are not ‘normal’ and you never need to be embarrassed to discuss these issues with your health care provider. You do not need to just put up with pelvic floor concerns your pelvic floor physiotherapists can help you manage or treat many pelvic floor issues.
If you have any concerns with your pelvic floor muscles please contact Family Doctors Plus in Windsor, Brisbane for an appointment with our highly experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist, Leanne Slater.
Phone: 07 33578192
Email: wecare@familydoctorsplus.com.au
Website: www.familydoctorsplus.com.au
Online Bookings: www.familydoctorsplus.com.au/appointments
