Womens and mens health physiotherapy

Our Women’s and Men’s Health Physiotherapy Clinic at the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre can assist with a range of problems related to the bowel, bladder, prostate, pelvic organs and breasts, led by caring and skilled allied health professionals.

Bowel dysfunction

Constipation and lack of bowel control can be distressing and have a large impact on your quality of life. Possible causes of bowel dysfunction include poor fluid intake and dietary factors, years of straining to pass a bowel motion, heavy lifting, damage to sphincters, radiation, or ageing.

Some common symptoms include:

Straining to pass a bowel motion.
Sudden urge to go to the bathroom.
A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying.
Faecal soiling or accidentally passing wind.
Pain with bowel motions.

The Wesley Women’s and Men’s Health Physiotherapy Clinic provides personalised consultations to work out the cause of your bowel problem and design a pelvic health program. Treatments for people with bowel dysfunction are varied and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Treatment may include a pelvic floor muscle rehab program, instruction in good bowel habits and effective ways to empty your bowel and strategies for improving stool consistency.

A doctor’s referral is not required, although we encourage prior check up with your GP and we also work closely with the colorectal surgeons and dietitians at The Wesley. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.

Pelvic and sexual pain

Pelvic pain is defined as pain located between the umbilicus to the mid-thigh. It often interferes with pelvic floor muscle, bladder, bowel and sexual function. Some common conditions include endometriosis, bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, proctalgia fugax, coccydynia, vulvodynia and pudendal neuralgia.

Possible causes of pelvic and sexual pain include:

Increased tension in your pelvic floor muscles.
Recurrent infections such as thrush or bladder infections.
Hormonal changes associated with breastfeeding or menopause.
Irritation, injury or compression of a nerve.
Overtraining of core/abdominal muscles.
Psychological factors such as mood, high stress, relationship issues or past abuse.

At The Wesley Women’s and Men’s Health Physiotherapy Clinic, an experienced physiotherapist will assess your condition, your individual circumstances and your current level of function. The cause of pelvic and sexual pain is often a result of several factors, so with your consent your physiotherapist will work collaboratively with your GP or specialist doctor and other health professionals to achieve your goals. Treatments for people with pelvic pain are varied and may include strategies for pelvic floor muscle relaxation, pain education, paced and gradual return to exercise, and education on improved bladder and bowel functioning.

A doctor’s referral is not required, although we may liaise with your GP/medical practitioner. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one of the pelvic organs descends into the vagina. The common risk factors include trauma to the pelvic floor during childbirth, strenuous exercise/lifting, obesity, constipation, chronic cough, and ageing.

Some of the common symptoms include:

A feeling of heaviness in the vagina.
Something ‘coming down' or a lump in the vagina.
Sexual problems (pain or less sensation).
Difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel.
Low back ache.

Evidence shows a personalised pelvic health program assists in treating prolapse symptoms. The Wesley Women’s Health Physiotherapy Clinic provides personalised consultations to assess and help manage your prolapse. Treatment includes lifestyle interventions to reduce your symptoms, including advice on exercise, healthy bladder and bowel habits, avoiding straining and personalised pelvic floor muscle training programs. Use of a pessary (silicone device to support your prolapse) in conjunction with a GP, may also be a treatment option.

A doctor’s referral is not required, although we may liaise with your GP/medical practitioner. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.

Urinary leakage

Leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or while trying to reach the toilet are all symptoms of incontinence. Some women may experience the frequent need to rush to the toilet. Bladder problems can have a huge impact on your quality of life.

Some of the possible causes of bladder problems include:

Poor pelvic floor muscle function.
Pregnancy.
Strenuous exercise.
Chronic cough.
Ageing and menopause.

Good quality evidence shows you can successfully manage these bladder problems through a personalised pelvic health program. The Wesley Women’s Health Physiotherapy Clinic provides personalised consultations to work out the cause of your bladder problem and design a pelvic health program. Treatments for people with leakage are varied and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Treatment may include a pelvic floor muscle rehab program, instruction in good bladder habits, fluid intake, bladder retraining, calming techniques and lifestyle advice.

A doctor’s referral is not required, although we may liaise with your GP/medical practitioner. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.

Pregnancy and postnatal

Our Women’s Health Physiotherapy Team offer evidence-based, holistic care to support you through each stage of your maternity journey. Some of the common conditions related to pregnancy we treat include:

Abdominal muscle separation.
Back and neck pain.
Breastfeeding difficulties, including blocked ducts/mastitis.
Pelvic girdle pain.
Pelvic organ prolapse.
Post-partum sexual pain.
Urinary leakage with coughing/sneezing/exercise.

The Women’s Health Physiotherapy Outpatient Clinic provides personalised consultations to help with some of the common problems you may encounter during pregnancy and/or after delivery. Consultations include a comprehensive assessment to establish your goals and treatment plan, hands-on therapy, individually tailored exercise programs, pelvic floor retraining, post-birth exercise screenings and return-to-exercise plans.

We provide continuity of care and onsite hospital location so that you can see your doctor/specialist on the same day. A doctor’s referral is not required, although we do liaise with your treating obstetrician. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.

Breast, gynaecological and lymphoedema managemen

The Wesley Rehabilitation Centre has a team of physiotherapists dedicated to providing evidence-based, holistic care to support women to achieve their best possible physical recovery after breast or gynaecological cancer surgery.

We provide personalised consultations to help with some of the physical problems that women may experience after surgery, including pain, movement restriction, muscle weakness, cording, and scar sensitivity, which can all cause difficulties with activities of daily living.

Consultations with one of our experienced physiotherapists include:

A comprehensive assessment to establish your goals and treatment plan.
Education and postural advice.
Hands-on therapy to release tight muscles and improve range of motion.
Individually tailored exercise programs including return-to-exercise plans.

Our team guides women through their immediate post-op period, through any reconstructive surgery and to return to sport and full activity.

We can also assist with any pelvic health problems that you may experience as a result of hormonal therapy or post gynaecological surgery.

We also provide education on minimising the risks of lymphoedema and lymphoedema management if indicated. The early detection and management of lymphoedema is important and results in improved outcomes. We work as a team with our occupational therapists if garment prescription is indicated.

We provide continuity of care and onsite hospital location so that you can see your surgeon/specialist on the same day should this be required. A doctor’s referral is not required, although we may wish to liaise with your GP, surgeon or other medical practitioner. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.

Prostate cancer rehabilitation

Our skilled Men’s Health Physiotherapy team are here to support you on your prostate cancer journey. We work in close collaboration with your urologist and prostate cancer nurse to assist you in achieving the best possible outcomes after robotic prostatectomy. Urinary leakage may occur after surgery and pelvic floor muscle training can assist in achieving improved continence outcomes. It is ideal to start these pelvic floor exercises prior to surgery.

Our Men’s Health Physiotherapy Clinic offers:

Comprehensive assessment to establish your goals and treatment plan.
Teaching you how to correctly perform pelvic floor exercises using real-time ultrasound assessment.
Devising individually tailored pelvic floor and home exercise programs.
Healthy bladder and bowel advice.
Guided progression to aid return to exercise, work or activities of daily living.

A doctor’s referral is not required, although we do liaise with your treating urologist. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact the Wesley Rehabilitation Centre.