Pelvic Floor Physio in Surrey Hills

Our pelvic floor physio in Surrey Hills is based at Eastside Physio + Co, 427 Canterbury Road. Appointments are with a women's health physiotherapist who has postgraduate training in pelvic floor physiotherapy. 

 

The first pelvic floor assessment looks at how well the muscles work, including whether they can squeeze, hold and relax afterwards. Some women have trouble getting a strong contraction, while others find the muscles don't release fully. The physio uses these findings to decide where treatment should begin. Appointments are private and one-on-one, and no referral is needed.

 

Book a Pelvic Floor Assessment | Call (03) 9836 1333

 

What a pelvic floor physio treats

 

Because the pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs, problems with it show up as bladder, bowel, prolapse, pelvic pain and pregnancy-related symptoms. At Eastside, the pelvic floor physiotherapist sees women for:

 

• Bladder leakage and urgency

• Bowel and wind control problems

• Heaviness or bulging from prolapse

• Pelvic and sexual pain

• Pregnancy and postnatal changes to the pelvic floor

• Menopause-related changes to the bladder and pelvic floor

 

These problems can occur at any life stage, including in women who have never been pregnant. Each condition has its own page with symptom and treatment detail.

 

Weak or overactive pelvic floor: why assessment comes first

 

A pelvic floor assessment helps the physio work out which exercises are needed. The muscles might be weak, but they can also be too tense or have trouble relaxing after a contraction. Some women have both problems at once. These are different forms of pelvic floor dysfunction, and strengthening isn't always the right place to start.

 

Leakage during a cough, sneeze or run can be a sign of a weak pelvic floor. Physios call this stress incontinence. Muscles that stay too tense can cause different problems, including pelvic pain, pain during sex or difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel. Some women experience symptoms from both. The physio needs to assess how the muscles are working rather than relying on symptoms alone.

 

Kegels involve squeezing the pelvic floor muscles, which can help when weakness is the problem. But some women already have muscles that are working too hard and struggling to relax. More squeezing may increase the tension. For these women, the physio usually begins with exercises that help the muscles release before adding strength work.

 

What happens at a pelvic floor physio assessment

 

The first pelvic floor assessment begins with a chat about what's been happening, how long the symptoms have been there and what the patient would like help with. The physio then checks how the pelvic floor muscles are working, including whether they can tighten and relax properly.

 

The physio may suggest an internal examination to check how well the pelvic floor muscles tighten and release. This is a routine assessment, although it's entirely the patient's choice whether to have one. 

 

The physio explains the examination before starting and answers any questions the patient may have.

 

The physio may also bring in biofeedback or real-time ultrasound to check muscle movement. With these tools, patients can see what happens when they squeeze their pelvic floor muscles and what happens when they let go. This can be useful when someone isn't sure whether they're doing the exercise correctly.

 

Patients can come to their appointment in their usual clothes, with nothing particular to prepare beforehand. Once the assessment is finished, the physio explains what she's found and talks through a treatment plan. Pelvic floor care is one part of our women's health physiotherapy service at Eastside, where we also see women during pregnancy and after giving birth.

 

Book a Pelvic Floor Assessment | Call (03) 9836 1333

 

Pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment options

 

The treatment plan depends on how the pelvic floor muscles are working. Some women need to build strength, while others start with exercises to help the muscles relax. The physio may also use hands-on treatment or look at bladder and bowel habits. For women with prolapse, a pessary may be another option to discuss.

 

Pelvic floor muscle training

 

For a weak pelvic floor, the training builds strength and endurance first, with coordination worked on as the muscles improve. The program starts from what the muscles can do at the assessment and progresses towards the activities each woman wants to get back to, whether that is lifting a toddler or returning to running.

 

Relaxation and down-training

 

When the pelvic floor muscles stay tense, strengthening them straight away may add to the problem. The physio might begin with breathing exercises to help the muscles release, along with hands-on treatment if needed. This is called down-training. It's an important part of pelvic floor rehabilitation for women with overactive muscles, and something a general exercise program may not account for.

 

Bladder and bowel retraining

 

Some women find they're going to the toilet more often than they used to, or waking several times overnight. Others get very little warning before needing to urinate. During bladder retraining, the physio looks at how much they're drinking and when they usually visit the toilet. Small changes to these habits, along with exercises where appropriate, can help women with urge incontinence work towards better bladder control. Bowel habits can also be addressed when needed.

 

Biofeedback and real-time ultrasound

 

Biofeedback and real-time ultrasound let the physio see how the pelvic floor muscles move during an exercise. The screen can show whether the muscles are squeezing as intended and relaxing afterwards. If they're staying tense between contractions, the physio can work on that with the patient before the exercise becomes part of their home routine.

 

Clinical Pilates with pelvic health sessions

 

Women can also attend Clinical Pilates at Eastside, where some sessions focus on pelvic health. The instructor uses the physio's assessment notes to help choose exercises that fit the treatment plan. Follow-up appointments with the physio last 30 minutes, leaving time between visits to practise the exercises and see how things are progressing.

 

Book a Pelvic Floor Assessment | Call (03) 9836 1333

 

When to see a pelvic floor physio

 

Bladder leakage, a feeling of heaviness or pelvic pain are common reasons women seek help from a pelvic floor physio. These symptoms can start affecting everyday routines, from getting through a night's sleep to exercising or being intimate. At Eastside, women book appointments for concerns such as:

 

• A feeling of heaviness or pressure linked to prolapse

• Pain in the pelvis or during sex

• Urine leaking when coughing, lifting or exercising, or a sudden urge to go that's difficult to hold

• Getting back to running or other high-impact exercise after birth, with postnatal physiotherapy to help guide the return

 

Not every pelvic symptom should be assessed by a physio first. Unexpected bleeding, a new lump or fever are reasons to see a GP. The same applies if your symptoms came on quickly or change suddenly. Your doctor can look at other possibilities before recommending pelvic floor physiotherapy.

 

Book a pelvic floor physio in Surrey Hills

 

Pelvic floor appointments are with Claire McGillivray, Senior Women’s Health Physiotherapist. Claire holds a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne. She has completed advanced post-graduate training in pelvic floor physiotherapy and is trained in pessary assessment and fitting.

 

You'll find Eastside Physio + Co at 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127. There's parking at both the front and back of the clinic, as well as along Canterbury Road. Women travel to us from Camberwell, Box Hill, Canterbury, Balwyn and Blackburn for pelvic floor physiotherapy. Appointments can be booked without a referral, either online or by calling (03) 9836 1333.

 

Book a Pelvic Floor Assessment | Call (03) 9836 1333

 

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Pelvic floor physio FAQs

 

Is pelvic floor physio covered by Medicare or bulk billed?

 

Patients with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and a signed GP referral may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Bulk billing is available to some eligible patients, so reception can confirm the arrangements when an appointment is booked. Private health insurance claims can be processed through HICAPS at the clinic. The women's health physiotherapy page has more information about fees.

 

Is a pelvic floor physio the same as a women’s health physio?

 

A women's health physio can help with more than the pelvic floor. Their work may include pregnancy and postnatal care, bladder or bowel problems, and pelvic pain. Pelvic floor treatment is one part of this wider area of physiotherapy. It also requires extra training, which is why not every physiotherapist offers pelvic health appointments.

 

Are pelvic floor exercises from an app or video enough?

 

Exercises from an app or video may be enough for some women, but there's no way to check technique or muscle function through a recording. A weak pelvic floor may need strengthening, while muscles that are too tight can need a different approach. The physio can check both during an assessment and work out which exercises are appropriate.

 

Does pelvic floor physio help after menopause?

 

Menopausal changes can have an effect on a woman’s bladder function and cause prolapse issues. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help women manage these concerns, although the exercises aren't necessarily the same for everyone. Prior to starting treatment, the physio needs to see how the muscles are functioning.

 

How long is a pelvic floor physio follow-up?

 

Follow-up appointments last 30 minutes, with time between visits to practise the exercises. The number of sessions depends on the patient's symptoms and progress. The physio can discuss a likely timeframe after the first pelvic floor assessment.