Female incontinence is actually very common – but it is not normal. It can occur at any time in life for a woman, but commonly presents during pregnancy, post natal and menopause.
Symptoms can affect your daily life considerably – I will work with you to achieve your goals and address your pelvic health problems.
| Stress incontinence | I leak small amounts of urine when I cough, sneeze, run or pick up something heavy |
| Urgency | I need to go to the toilet very suddenly or the desire to go to the toilet is too strong |
| Frequency | I go more than 7 times a day |
| Nocturia | I wake frequently overnight needing to pee |
| Urge incontinence | I get so desperate to go to the toilet that I start to pee when I don’t want to |
| Faecal incontinence | I leak some poo into my underwear |
| Constipation | I find it difficult to poo and don’t go very regularly |
Assessment for all of these conditions would start with a full detailed history of the condition and medical history including obstetric / gynae and urology history and treatment to date. A bladder diary may be requested and a pelvic floor evaluation may be required.
Treatments are tailored to the individual but could include bladder education and training, deferment techniques, pelvic floor rehab, down training, abdominal massage and defecation dynamics.
I feel a bulging and heaviness in my vagina and or feel something coming down when I’m lifting anything, and it worsens at the end of the day. I have low back ache and a feeling of heaviness in my lower abdomen.
Assessment includes a detailed history including obstetric and gynae, and treatment history.
Treatments can include education and advice, pelvic floor rehabilitation.
| Interstitial cystitis (IC) | I get a burning pain prior to and or during peeing that lasts for a while and is difficult to resolve |
| Persistent Pelvic Pain | I have pain in my pelvic area – internal and or external |
| Coccyx Pain | I have pain in my tailbone when I sit |
| Dyspareunia | Sexual intercourse is painful |
Assessment for all of these conditions would all start with a full detailed history of the condition and medical history including obstetric / gynae and urology history and treatment to date.
Treatments can include, manual therapy, pelvic floor examination, down training, myofascial tension release.
Pregnancy advice regarding appropriate exercises, ergonomics, pelvic floor, sleeping positions, simple tips to prevent ache and pains, tips for immediate post natal period and breastfeeding posture advice.
Assessment
Six weeks after delivery, a musculoskeletal check including pelvic floor assessment, bladder and bowel issues, return to exercise advice and a diastasis rectus assessment and exercise program. The assessment will include real time ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor for biofeedback.
Treatments
Pelvic floor examination and rehab programme, abdominal examination and diastasis rehab programme, return to exercise advice. Bladder and bowel education and advice.
“Since having my second child I’ve had problems with my pelvic floor. I’d sometimes leak if I bounced on the trampoline, ran fast, sneezed or coughed. It was really getting me down. I was also worried about getting older and it getting worse!
Karen is brilliant, kind, knowledgable and professional! She has helped me gain strength in my pelvic floor, crucially she has explained to me how I should be doing my exercises! She has changed my life!”
– M, 40 years old, mother of 2