Pelvic Health and Alignment

The muscles of the pelvic floor are pretty amazing. They have many different roles including bladder and bowel control, supporting the pelvic organs, sexual function and core stability. During pregnancy and childbirth, these muscles take on the additional task of supporting the weight of your baby and then allowing the baby to pass through for delivery. These diagrams depict the pelvic floor muscles as they are normally and then during childbirth.  Pelvic Floor Muscles at rest Pelvic Floor Muscles when the baby is crowning Remember that this is what your body and these muscles are made to do. However, perineal tearing (tearing of the skin and muscles between the vagina and the anus) is unfortunately quite common and can occur when the muscles are not able to yield appropriately. This can lead to bladder and bowel incontinence and numerous other conditions related to pelvic floor dysfunction. For the muscles to undergo this amount of stretch and decrea...

A lot of people and patients ask me how and why I got into Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. I can appreciate that it is not the first choice for a lot of new grads, particularly as it involves treating very personal and private areas of the body and isn’t quite as glamorous as being a physio for elite athletes.  My introduction to Women's and Pelvic Health was during my first clinical placement within a Brisbane maternity hospital where every woman who gives birth has the opportunity to consult with a specifically trained physiotherapist.  I particularly enjoyed getting to see and hold lots of newborn babies, educating the new mothers and getting to be (a small) part of such a momentous event in people's lives. Since moving to Canada I have had the opportunity to learn from some amazing, experienced mentors and further my interest. I think it is an incredibly important area of health and physiotherapy services that can empower women by teaching them and helping them ...