Osteopathy & Pelvic Health
So many women put up with pelvic pain & dysfunction, either thinking its ‘normal’, ‘embarrassing’ or are unaware that help is available. At Swell Osteopathy, we are passionate about empowering women, helping them understand their bodies & better manage their pain and pelvic symptoms.
Because life is too short, busy and beautiful to be held back by our bodies!
What is Pelvic Health Osteopathy?
Pelvic health can be tricky to navigate – it can often feel embarrassing, symptoms can be brushed off as ‘normal’ or finding a practitioner who can help is challenging.
Osteopathy holds a beautiful space for pelvic health as our whole-body approach allows us to look past ‘just’ the pelvic floor. Consideration of our breathing, posture, foot mechanics, core activation, and more, enables a big-picture approach to pelvic health.
THINGS WE TREAT IN CLINIC:
Pelvic girdle pain - low back, hip, tail bone, pubic symphysis, groin
Bladder/bowel leakage or incontinence
Constipation
Pain with intimacy (dyspareunia)
Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) & endometriosis
Prolapse assessment & treatment
Pelvic floor assessment & treatment
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT)
Pregnancy - birth preparation & pain management
Post partum - physical birth trauma, postural strains, return to activity
WHAT to expect at a consult
There are 3 main stages to a pelvic health consultation at Swell Osteopathy.
We discuss the reason for your visit and run through your previous medical history and general health & well-being. We also go through some questions regarding your pelvic health, specifically. This involves discussing your bowel and bladder habits, sexual function and menstrual history.
At Swell, we practice compassionate and trauma-sensitive care. You’ll only ever have to discuss or do what you’re comfortable with at the time.
Interview
We look at how your whole body is functioning, from head to toe, to get an idea of what might be contributing to your symptoms. This can involve:
functional screening
range of motion testing
nerve testing
breathing assessment
internal examination of pelvic floor (if consented to)
Examination
Treatment
Treatment involves addressing the restrictions identified during the examination - increasing range of motion, decreasing muscle tightness and improving pain. Techniques may include:
scar tissue release - caesarean, perineal, laparoscopic
internal release of pelvic floor muscles (if consented to)
breath work
stretching
soft tissue massage
joint manipulation
balancing ligament tension (BLT)
myofascial unwind (direct & indirect)
At Swell Osteopathy we want our patients to feel empowered and confident in their journey towards health and better function. We do this with:
education - how your body works, what’s causing your symptoms & what you can expect with treatment
lifestyle advice - stress reduction, exercise modification, ergonomics, breath work
exercise - stretches and strengthening exercises that are appropriate and achievable. This may include pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT)
pain management strategies
Additional support
