Assessment focuses on abdominal muscle function, core control and support during everyday tasks. Management includes evidence-based, progressive exercises designed to improve abdominal wall strength and restore functional stability.
Typical presentations: visible abdominal “doming” during sit-ups or transitions, a sense of reduced core support when lifting, or difficulty returning to exercise following pregnancy.
Evaluation includes analysis of pelvic, hip, and lumbar movement to identify contributing factors. Treatment aims to reduce pain and improve comfort by enhancing strength, movement coordination and load tolerance during daily activities.
Typical presentations: pain at the front of the pelvis when turning in bed, discomfort in the buttock or hip during single-leg tasks, or difficulty walking longer distances throughout pregnancy.
Assessment includes review of pelvic floor strength, coordination and functional activation. Management follows established pelvic floor rehabilitation principles, with exercises and strategies tailored to individual symptoms.
Typical presentations: leakage with coughing, sneezing, running or lifting, or sudden urgency that is difficult to control.
Comprehensive assessment of joint mobility, muscle strength, posture and functional movement patterns is used to determine key contributors to pain. Treatment may include individualised exercise therapy, manual techniques and strategies to support efficient, pain-free movement.
Typical presentations: lower-back pain with lifting or sitting, hip pain during walking or running, postural-related neck pain, or shoulder discomfort with overhead activity.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus or bowel) descend and create a sensation of heaviness, pressure or vaginal bulging. This can occur following pregnancy and childbirth, with hormonal changes, or due to increased strain on the pelvic floor over time.
Women’s health physiotherapy provides evidence-based, conservative management to improve pelvic floor support and reduce symptoms.
Assessment includes a detailed evaluation of pelvic floor muscle strength, coordination and support, as well as lifestyle and movement patterns that may contribute to pelvic pressure or strain.
Treatment may include:
• Individualised pelvic floor muscle training
• Education on managing intra-abdominal pressure during daily activities and exercise
• Strategies to reduce pelvic floor strain (lifting, coughing, bowel habits)
• Guidance for safe return to exercise and sport
• Advice regarding symptom management and long-term pelvic health
Many women experience significant improvement in symptoms and function with targeted physiotherapy management.
Stress urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, running or jumping. It is common following pregnancy and childbirth, but can also occur with sport, hormonal changes, or reduced pelvic floor support.
Women’s health physiotherapy focuses on identifying the underlying cause of leakage and restoring pelvic floor function.
Assessment may include pelvic floor muscle testing to evaluate strength, endurance, coordination and timing with breathing and movement.
Treatment may involve:
• Individualised pelvic floor strengthening programs
• Training pelvic floor activation during functional activities
• Breathing and pressure management strategies
• Guidance for returning to exercise without leakage
• Education on bladder health and lifestyle factors
With appropriate assessment and rehabilitation, many women are able to significantly reduce or resolve urinary leakage and return confidently to their usual activities.
Birth preparation sessions are designed to help women feel informed, confident and physically prepared for labour and early recovery.
Sessions include assessment of pelvic floor function, which may involve external and/or internal examination to assess pelvic floor strength, coordination, endurance and the ability to relax. Understanding how the pelvic floor works during pregnancy helps guide effective strategies for labour and postpartum recovery.
Birth preparation sessions focus on:
• Pelvic floor awareness, coordination and relaxation for labour
• Optimal labour and birthing positions to support pelvic outlet space
• Breathing strategies to assist with labour and pushing
• Techniques to enhance comfort and manage physical changes in late pregnancy
• Education on protecting the pelvic floor during pregnancy and birth
Post-Partum Review
A follow-up assessment supports early recovery after birth and provides guidance for returning safely to daily activities and exercise.
The post-natal review may include:
• Pelvic floor screening to assess strength, coordination and recovery
• Assessment for symptoms such as pelvic heaviness or urinary leakage
• Abdominal wall evaluation, including screening for abdominal separation (diastasis)
• Individualised guidance for safe return to exercise, lifting and caring for your baby
Typical Presentations
Women commonly attend for:
• Desire for structured, evidence-based birth preparation
• Pelvic floor assessment during pregnancy
• Strategies that may reduce the risk of perineal trauma
• Early guidance on post-natal recovery and return to exercise
• Symptoms of pelvic heaviness, prolapse or urinary leakage
