Other Treatments

A diastasis recti, more commonly referred to as “split tummy muscles“, is the name given to the separation of the midline rectus abdominis muscle during pregnancy. It moves to allow space for the baby to expand during the third trimester.  By 8 -12 weeks post natal this returns back in most women but for those who it hasn’t can be a worry and can lead to back pain and instability feelings plus that feeling and look of a non toned tummy.  The combination of abdominal weakness, abdominal wall stretch, effects of the pregnancy hormones on softening the muscles and ligaments, carrying a larger baby or twins, successive pregnancies without closure from previous can all influence the diastasis. Specific guided and progressive abominal muscle training under the guidance of a specially trained post natal physiotherapist can speed up the recovery of the diastasis.

Did you know - 31 % of births in the UK are caesarian sections ? Sometimes the scars don’t look,  how you’d like them to look.  Scars can lead to restricted movement or discomfort, and different types of scars can form. Scars can affect you both physically and the way you feel, and support and treatment looking at the whole person not just the scar is key to reducing the effect on the individual.  Treatment is designed to soften and restore mobility to scar tissue. By reconnecting the scar with your body’s connective tissue (fascia), this treatment can reduce tightness and improve function.  Helping the individual to know how to work on the scar themselves is also beneficial. Training with the HLP therapy team to offer treatment and management to those people with scars was enlightening.  Scars may be:  - post Caesarian section - post breast cancer surgery  - post hysterectomy surgery - any form of surgery, accidents or trauma. An assessment and then treatment can help to achieve the best outcome , and reduce the symptoms that you are experiencing. I am passionate about helping to support you, reducing the pain, pulling, tightness and the appearance of the scar.

Statistics say 50% of women will develop a prolapse at some point. Pelvic organ prolapse is often associated with childbirth, but often doesn’t become a problem until hormone changes kick in during perimenopause . The NICE guidelines recommend initially to try physiotherapy assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.   Prolapse awareness, feelings of dragging or heaviness by the end of the day, and the waterworks changes associated can be very worrying.  Working on your pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance is invaluable, plus learning about the prolapse and practical lifestyle advice as to how to manage,  gives women such comfort and can often reduce symptoms and mean the prolapse is non troublesome for most of the time.

Patients often contact me saying “ I’m pregnant, I’m really worried about my pelvic floor and what I can do best during pregnancy to prepare for labour and prevent issues afterwards. “ The more you understand , the more you practise and the more you are aware of what might happen in labour and post pregnancy the better informed you are to deal with anything that might occur.  Pregnancy is an amazing time, but can open up a whole world of questions and pondering. Physiotherapy can offer expert guidance on safe exercise and movement to answer your questions, put your mind at rest and allow you to enjoy your pregnancy. So why not book a pregnancy consultation! For those with previous pelvic or continence issues, coming for an assessment whilst pregnant, taking on board the advice and optimising the core and pelvic floor muscle function can really help to prevent symptoms worsening.

Deciding or being told that gynaecological surgery is the right way forward for your clinical presentation can be a daunting prospect .  Having someone to talk to can be so helpful and I regularly help people pre and post gynecological surgery with preparation, pelvic floor rehab and post op guidance, and recovery rehabilitation. Preparing your body before surgery with exercises , understanding more about your  rehabilitation process and being guided afterwards I have witnessed to be invaluable to the individual.  Having worked alongside local gynae consultants, I’m experienced at setting the pace for rehabilitation and return to exercise and work after the following surgeries: ​ - all types of prolapse repairs - all types of hysterectomies  - fibroid and cyst removal

Hands on treatment available for those backs, hips and shoulders that might become troublesome in pregnancy, post pregnancy and during the perimenopausal years. Mobilisations, soft tissue release, muscle activation and rehabilitation exercises can all be of benefit to relieve the pain, stiffness, tightness or restricted range of movement that can be present.  Learning how to maintain the ranges gained after manual techniques is also an integral part of settling a musculoskeletal issue. Training the muscles to support the joint and give good muscle activation and balance responses is vital.