During the second trimester of pregnancy is a great time to check in with a pelvic health physiotherapist, as we can assess your pelvic floor and abdominal function, and start working on building core strength and improving pelvic floor function to promote optimal recovery after birth. It is also common for women to experience Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PrPGP), which is pain around the joints of the pelvis - PrPGP can be resolved with physiotherapy advice and treatment, so if you are experiencing any pain, this is also a good time to visit a pelvic health physiotherapist.

Consultations during pregnancy also allow for education around safe exercise during pregnancy, and how to optimise bladder and bowel function to reduce any unnecessary strain on the pelvic floor to ensure the best recovery possible. I also go through a ‘birth prep’ session at 34 weeks, to teach perineal massage and pushing technique, and highlight key information for early postpartum recovery (for either vaginal delivery or Caesarian section).

Postnatally, treatment involves rehabilitation for the abdominals and pelvic floor to reduce abdominal separation, incontinence, or other pelvic floor dysfunctions after birth, and help return to exercise or performance.

If you have had an assessment during pregnancy, I recommend a 6-week postnatal check to re-assess your pelvic floor and abdominals, and make a plan for safe return to exercise or performance, including prescription of a home exercise program.

Includes assessment and management of pelvic floor dysfunctions such as incontinence, constipation and pelvic organ prolapse.

For pelvic health appointments, I first take a detailed history on your current concerns including bladder, bowel, and sexual function in the context of your daily activities, exercises and goals.

If you are comfortable, we may do an internal vaginal examination, which allows the best assessment of pelvic floor strength and tension. If you are not comfortable with this, there are other options for assessment, however they are not as accurate.

Follow up appointments allow us to review how you have been going, re-assess any main issues, and progress rehabilitation/adjust management strategies.

Aerialists, pole dancers and circus performers are susceptible to specific injuries due to the extreme demands of their sports. As an aerialist myself, I understand the nature and requirements of these activities, and aim to use my experience and empathy for such injuries in the treatment of my clients, to help them return to performance as soon as possible, and build the strength to prevent future injuries.

In this community, individuals may also suffer from suffer from stress incontinence, or hypertonic pelvic floor muscles as a result of the high impact of activities - I help these performers optimise their pelvic floor function to maintain or return to performance.