Women’s Health

Just like standard physiotherapy women’s health physiotherapy assesses, diagnoses, treats, and works to prevent disease and disability. However, there are many conditions specific to women and these require specialised training. Women’s Health specialists are trained in internal vaginal exams to check the function of the muscles and the organs within the pelvic areas that cannot be assessed externally. We can absolutely treat you without the need for a vaginal exam. Conditions treatable by physiotherapy are:

• Pelvic pain and endometriosis
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Urinary and faecal Incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pessary management
• Carpal tunnel and tenosynovitis (aka mummy’s thumb)
• Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation)
• Participation in exercise during pregnancy and assessment for return to exercise postnatal

Children’s Health

Paediatric pelvic health is a little different to treating adults and we approach our assessments and treatments in a fun play based session. We are also looking at overall development and that is why all our pelvic physiotherapists are also paediatric trained so we get whole picture assessment of your child. We assess and treat:

• Constipation and faecal incontinence
• Bed wetting and daytime wetting
• Cognitive, physical and emotional readiness for toilet training
• Global developmental delay
• Milestone development assessment
• Plagiocephaly treatment
• Torticollis treatment

Infant wellness check – Adjusting to life outside of the uterus is a massive change for your little one. Each baby will rest in different positions in the uterus. These positions can influence how they move once earth side. Sometimes their position in utero can result in ‘muscle tightness’ outside of utero that may benefit from a physiotherapy assessment.

Why have an Infant Wellness check?

• Early screening for neurological conditions
• Empower yourself with knowledge related to your infants’ physical function from a trainer health care practitioner.
• Learn tips and tricks to promote your child’s strength and development.
• When would an assessment be beneficial?
• If you’re noticing your infant favors a particular side for looking, rolling, reaching or leaning.
• If your infant isn’t wriggling or moving their arms or legs either on one side or both.
• Infants born <37 weeks’ gestation.

A physiotherapy assessment of your infant consists of;

• Range of motion
• Movement patterns
• Neurological signs
• Sensory system
• Muscle tone

Men’s Health

Men also experience pelvic floor dysfunction that can present in many ways. Specialised trained physiotherapists can assess and treat:

• Pre and post prostate surgery
• Pre and post anal prolapse surgical repair
• Haemorrhoids
• Urinary and faecal incontinence
• Pelvic pain
• Erectile dysfunction

Pre and Postnatal

Prenatal – Research has shown that prenatal physiotherapy sessions can reduce the risk of urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. It’s also well documented that education in pregnancy can reduce trauma associated with birth and postnatal recovery. We recommend women are seen early in their pregnancy to prevent back and pelvic pain and incontinence and we recommend a further visit at 36 weeks to prepare for birth and postnatal recovery.

Women’s Health physiotherapists have additional training to assess, diagnose and treat conditions that are unique to pregnancy. They are trained in internal and external vaginal exams to check the function of the muscles and the organs within the pelvic area as well as bladder, bowel and sexual function screening. Conditions that can be managed by women’s health physiotherapy in pregnancy are:

• Back and pelvic pain
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Carpal tunnel and tenosynovitis (aka mummy’s thumb)
• Diastasis Recti
• Participation in exercise

What does a prenatal physiotherapy appointment look like?

Our physiotherapists are community based meaning they come to you. Your physiotherapist will start by taking a history of your pregnancy and any relevant medical conditions. They will discuss your goals for pregnancy (e.g. continuing exercise or occupations, managing concerns), your goals for delivery and postnatal recovery and complete a physical assessment of your full body and pelvic floor. If there is anything that comes up in the history taking or physical exam your physiotherapist will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your individual needs.

Postnatal – Postnatal Physiotherapy occurs once your baby is born. It is recommended you are seen around 6-8 weeks postnatally by a qualified women’s health physiotherapist. Postnatal Physiotherapy offers a full bladder and bowel screen, diastasis recti (abdominal separation) and internal vaginal assessment for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction as well as pelvic organ prolapse. The pelvic floor vaginal assessment is completely optional, your physiotherapist can tell a lot about your pelvic floor by asking questions about your bladder, bowel and sexual function as well as symptoms you may have noticed. Every woman’s pregnancy and birth is very unique and so your treatment will be tailored to your exact needs based on your assessment. The treatment will include posture advice for breastfeeding and caring for your baby, sport specific training for return to exercise, treatment for diastasis recti, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence as well as back and hip pain and anything else to aid your postnatal recovery.

Kids Classes

Group classes offer your child social inclusion and community involvement and is designed by a qualified physiotherapist with paediatric training. Classes are a fun mix of dance, gymnastics and aerials on apparatus’ such as hammocks, hoops and poles to address gross motor, fine motor, balance and coordination. 

• Monday 3:30pm – 4:30pm (60min) – 6 – 11 YEARS AERIAL HAMMOCK / SILKS / LYRA
• Monday 4:30pm – 5:30pm (60min) – 11 – 16 YEARS AERIAL HAMMOCK / SILKS / LYRA

Private group sessions can be arranged by appointment and are led by a paediatric physiotherapist. Health care rebates and NDIS care funded sessions are available.

Location

Rokh Fit Studio 

2/19 Township Drive, Burleigh Heads QLD – Bookings via www.rokhfit.com.au

Pilates

During pregnancy, it can be hard to find workouts to suit your changing body or you may be concerned about what exercises you should or shouldn’t be doing. Pilates is excellent for expecting women and women who have recently given birth as it incorporates core, pelvic floor and posture exercises especially when guided by a women’s health physiotherapist. Doing Pilates while you are pregnant and postnatally will significantly help you recover after giving birth. Not only will you have an easier time physically caring for your new baby you will also find it easier to recover.