The why and how of doing Kegels
(Pelvic Floor Exercises)
As a physiotherapist working in Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic health for more than 20 years, pelvic floor exercises (also known as Kegel exercises) are a key part of treatment for my patients. These exercises might sound simple, yet it is surprising how many people find them difficult. This is especially the case if the muscles […]
What you should know about your pelvic floor in pregnancy, childbirth and beyond
“I wish somebody had told me…” What you should know about your pelvic floor in pregnancy, childbirth and beyond! As a Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Total Physiotherapy Manly Vale’s Louise Henderson shares her reflections on what women wish they had been told about their pelvic floor before having a baby. “I wish somebody…
Pelvic Health Changes during the Menopause Transition
Changes to the body during menopause
Embracing Exercise during Peri-Menopause and Beyond
Menopause is a transformative phase in a woman’s life, marking the end of menstrual cycles and a shift in hormonal balance. While this transition can come with its challenges – such as hot flushes, weight gain, and mood swings – integrating regular exercise into your routine can be a powerful tool in navigating these changes […]
Bladder leakage with exercise
Jana Pittman was an elite athlete in hurdles and then in bobsledding and when she was running hard and jumping she experienced leakage of urine. We call this stress urinary incontinence. Like many women, she found this symptom to be embarrassing, she found ways to cover it up, she did not talk to anyone about […]
What is a vaginal prolapse and can it be fixed?
Let’s start with what is a prolapse? A vaginal prolapse might also be called a pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or in more medical terms a cystocoele, uterocoele or rectocoele. A prolapse is where one or more of the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus or bowel) drops lower down in the pelvis and creates a bulge into […]
When can I return to running after having a baby?
This is a question we hear often at Total Physiotherapy and the answer is that the timeline for postpartum women to return to running looks different for everyone. Evidence on returning to running after having a baby The latest evidence on returning to running outlines several components that should be considered when assessing a woman’s […]
Is Your Bladder Controlling Your Life? Could you have Overactive Bladder Syndrome?
Overactive Bladder Syndrome Do you experience a sudden uncontrollable urge to rush to the bathroom as soon as you put the key in the door when you get home? And sometimes leak before you make the toilet? Do you plan your outings around the location of a bathroom? Or maybe you have started to avoid […]
Do you have persistent or chronic pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is not a disease or condition on its own but really an umbrella term to describe pain anywhere between the belly button and the upper thighs both on the surface and the “inside” (bladder, uterus, ovaries, rectum, genitals). It is called persistent or chronic if it has been present (continuously or intermittently) for longer than 6 months.
Exercise Classes for the Childbearing Year
It is well researched that exercise has many benefits both during and after pregnancy. Often women come to us at Total Physiotherapy, asking what exercise is ‘safe’ to do during this childbearing year.