Key points 

• Women’s health physiotherapy is a specialised field that treats and manages issues specific to women, such as pelvic floor health, bladder and bowel function and musculoskeletal pain due to pregnancy, childbirth menopause and aging. 

• Practitioners undergo additional training to ensure they are fully qualified to treat these unique concerns, and create personalised programs for women. 

• Women’s health physiotherapy can help to manage a range of symptoms, including bladder leakage, frequent urination and urgency, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and post-operative care. 

• Pelvic floor function is a key part of women’s health physiotherapy and involves education, manual therapy, muscle training, and core rehabilitation. 

• Women’s health physiotherapy can help women to keep fit during pregnancy,  postpartum, and help prevent and manage musculoskeletal pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. 

• Women from all backgrounds, ages and fitness levels can benefit from physiotherapy for better health and wellbeing. Click here to find an Active+ women’s health physiotherapist near you. 

What is women’s health physiotherapy?  

Women’s health physiotherapy focuses on managing issues unique to women. Issues such as bladder leakage; changes in urinary frequency or urgency; pelvic organ prolapse; bowel issues and pelvic pain are commonly experienced by women during pregnancy, post-partum, menopause and aging. Although common, these issues are not normal and can be helped with input from a specially trained physiotherapist.  

How can a women's health physiotherapist help? 

Managing symptoms specific to women 

A women’s health physiotherapist can help you if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: 

• Bladder leakage: This can occur with exercise, coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Despite being common, it is not normal and can be treated effectively. 

• Frequent urination: An increased need to urinate or frequent trips to the bathroom can be managed with proper care. 

• Pelvic organ prolapse: Feelings of heaviness in the vaginal area and lower abdominal discomfort can be relieved through targeted pelvic floor exercises and an individualised education and symptom management plan. A Women’s Health physio can assist with diagnosis and management of prolapse.   

• Other issues: Problems such as bowel or wind leakage, constipation, painful intercourse, perineal recovery after delivery, pelvic or back pain, and guidance on safe exercise during or after pregnancy. 

Pelvic floor therapy 

One of the key concerns many women experience is poor pelvic floor health and function, often due to pregnancy and childbirth. Pelvic floor therapy involves: 

• Education: Teaching you about pelvic floor health and how to manage symptoms. 

• Muscle training: Strengthening and retraining pelvic floor and surrounding muscles. 

• Core rehabilitation: Addressing diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate. 

• Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to alleviate pain and improve function. 

• Exercise programs: Custom exercises to support recovery and improve function. 

Keeping fit during pregnancy 

Staying fit during pregnancy and postpartum is essential to help prevent and manage musculoskeletal pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, as well as aid in recovery and overall wellbeing for mums. This is where a women’s health physiotherapist comes in, with the knowledge and skills to guide you and ensure you are training appropriately. 

At Active+, your physiotherapist will chat with you about a personalised treatment plan, that will include specific exercises, as well as modifications to ensure your training is safe and effective during and after pregnancy.

Can all women benefit from physiotherapy? 

Absolutely! Women's health physiotherapy is not just for pregnant, athletic or active women. At Active+, we treat women of all fitness levels, regardless of their age, background or experiences. When you make an appointment with one of our practitioners, they’ll complete a comprehensive evaluation of your specific needs to ensure you get the most out of your treatment. 

We’re passionate about helping all women to achieve better health, wellness and quality of life, so get in touch to chat about how we can best support you.

Click here to find an Active+ women’s health physiotherapist near you.