PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

FIRST LIGHT HEALTHCARE’S WOMEN’S AND MEN’S HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Carly joins our First Light Healthcare team with her expertise in Physiotherapy and Sport & Exercise Science background. Since graduating from Macquarie University with a Doctor of Physiotherapy Carly has worked within major hospital & leading sporting physiotherapy clinics in Sydney; before returning back home to the Northern Rivers. While working as musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Carly begun expanding her knowledge within pelvic health.

Carly now focuses on Women’s and Men’s health while continuing to have a holistic treatment approach. Carly focuses on manual therapy, evidence based exercises and education to assist her patient recover for sporting/working related injuries, pelvic pain, incontinence, pre and post-natal injuries, pelvic organ prolapse and postnatal return to sport/exercise safely.

PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is a pelvic floor physiotherapist?

A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a physiotherapist that has undergone specialised training to access both the external and internal structures of the pelvic floor.

What can I expect from my first consultation with a pelvic floor physiotherapist?

During your first consultation you can except a thorough assessment. You will discuss your problem, go through the history of the presenting condition and what you hope to achieve through your sessions.

This will be followed by an objective exam – If you have booked in for a pelvic floor appointment then this could involve either ultrasound (men) or an internal examination (women).

Don’t fear, this is a pain-free examination with your comfort and safety made paramount.

Following this, you will being treatment! This may include massage, mobilisation, strengthening exercises, relaxation exercises, pessary fitting, bladder training etc

You will work with your pelvic floor physiotherapist in creating a management.

What symptoms can a pelvic floor physiotherapist treat?

  • Having difficulty starting to urinate or emptying the bladder completely
  • Leaking urine when coughing, laughing or exercising
  • Feeling an urgent or frequent need to urinate
  • Feeling pain while urinating
  • Experiencing constipation
  • Having difficulty making it to the bathroom in time
  • Feeling a heaviness, fullness, pulling or aching in the vagina that persist throughout the day
  • Seeing or feeling discomfort or a bulge of the vagina

Can men also see a pelvic floor physiotherapist?

Absolutely! Men also experience pelvic floor pain, incontinence, urgency/frequency and constipation.

Urinary incontinence post prostrate cancer surgery is one of the most common conditions in men.

We utilise the real time ultrasound machine to provide biofeedback to make sure the correct exercises are being performed.