Women’s Pelvic Health @ Eureka Osteo

 
 

Many women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic pain. Bladder leakage, prolapse and painful sex can affect women of all ages and life stages, but many experience these symptoms in silence without treatment options, education or support.

Osteopaths Ginger and Megan as well as physiotherapists Jacqui and Gemma, are all passionate about breaking down the barriers associated with pelvic health complaints and offering high quality, integrated, holistic pelvic healthcare.

At Eureka Osteo, this means that, (if you wish), we are happy to work in a team with your GP, specialist, PT, or anyone else who is in your corner. Within our clinic, we are able to work together to co-manage musculoskeletal complaints that your pelvic floor might be contributing to. You might be a marathon runner experiencing some bladder leakage when running; have low back pain that is linked to your prolapse; or be experiencing neck and jaw pain as well as painful sex.

Common Complaints

Bladder

  • Accidental leakage (stress urinary incontinence)

  • Rushing to go to the toilet (urgency)

  • Going to the toilet frequently

  • Leaking urine on the way to the toilet

  • Difficulty starting the flow of urine

  • Not feeling like you empty bladder properly

Bowel

  • Constipation

  • Soiling pants

  • Straining to open bowels

  • Unable to hold onto wind

  • Rushing to go to the toilet (urgency)

Pelvic pain

  • Painful sex (dyspareunia)

  • Pain using or unable to use a tampon due to pain

  • Involuntary pelvic floor spasm 

  • Genital pain, Vulval pain, vulvodynia

  • Pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, IBS, pelvic inflammatory disease

  • Pain that is worse with a full bladder (bladder pain syndrome / interstitial cycstitis

  • Tailbone pain (coccydynia)

Pregnancy & Post Partum

  • Pelvic girdle pain (including Sacroiliac, low back, hip & pubic symphysis pain)

  • Labour & birth preparation

  • Prolapse assessment

  • Scar tissue release post episiotomy or perineal tearing

Pelvic Health consults

Our goal is to offer you an assessment that looks at your whole body and how it integrates with your pelvic floor. Your initial appointment will involve an online questionnaire prior to attending, and our consult begin with a series of questions about why you have come in to see us, and any specific health goals that you wish to achieve. As your pelvic health osteopath, we may ask questions about your medical history, symptoms, toileting habits, sex, diet and exercise routine.  This information helps us to begin to create a picture of what could be going on in your body. 

Our physical assessment may include observing your posture, breathing patterns and some simple movements. Assessment of the pelvic floor can be done in a variety of ways, one of these is an internal assessment (details below). Treatment may include hands on techniques to address any muscular, fascial or joint restrictions in your body as well as guidance on appropriate strengthening and stretching.

Internal Pelvic Floor Examinations

One of the best ways that we can assess not only the strength of your pelvic floor, but also any tight muscles or scar tissue, is via an internal pelvic floor examination. This is a completely optional form of assessment and treatment. If an internal assessment of your pelvic floor is recommended, we will thoroughly explain what to expect and gain your consent. Please know that you can change your mind at any time, and we welcome any questions throughout your consultation.   

A pelvic floor examination requires you to remove your underwear, allowing your osteo to observe and palpate the pelvic floor anatomy both internally and externally.

An internal assessment provides me us essential information regarding your pelvic floor health, including; its tone, strength, endurance and coordination. This information helps to build a picture about your pelvic floor and whether it is weak, tight and/or functioning appropriately. During the assessment of your pelvic floor, if a tissue is found to be tight or dysfunctional, gentle release techniques may be used to help restore normal function. 

We know that it can take some time and to find a practitioner that you trust to help you with your pelvic health complaints. We will always endeavour to provide a safe, comfortable, judgement-free space for you to freely express your health concerns and receive the best possible care to help you achieve your health goals

All aspects of your assessment and treatment are completely optional and you are welcome to decline anything that you are uncomfortable with, at any stage along our treatment journey.

You can book an Initial Pelvic Health Consult with Megan, Ginger, Jacqui or Gemma here

They have both completed further training in pelvic health - you can learn more about them and what they offer at their dedicated Instagram Page