Services
Manaaki Pelvic Health offers expert pelvic health physiotherapy with a focus on respectful, evidence-based, individualised care.
Bladder concerns
Urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency can be very bothersome to your daily activities. They are not normal despite your hormonal state or age. They can be improved with coordination and strengthening of not only your pelvic floor but sometimes your lower limbs. Occasionally, lifestyle habits may need to be tweaked. These symptoms can be also aided with a pessary.
Bowel concerns
Bowel emptying should happen regularly and easily, and be no big deal. Constipation and faecal smearing/soiling are common complaints and can be improved through dietary and fluid intake, habits, positioning and technique.
Pelvic Pain
Persistent or recurring pelvic pain can be assessed and treated using a gentle, whole-person approach that considers the nervous system, movement and pelvic health. An external approach is always tried first but adjuncts are available to help, such as dilators and biofeedback. Some commonly treated conditions include endometriosis, vaginismus, vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis.
Pregnancy and Postnatal Physiotherapy
Support through pregnancy, birth preparation, postnatal recovery, and return to movement and exercise. Prevent birth injuries and recover from abdominal separation. Care is tailored to your body, goals and stage of recovery.
Musculoskeletal injuries
I can help with injuries to the back, coccyx, sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis and hips. Sometimes the missing link to recovery is the pelvic floor or hormonal considerations. Recent research indicates that soft tissue disorders in the menopausal population is due to a decline in oestrogen, vs biomechanics.
Return to exercise and running
Movement is vital for our health and wellbeing throughout our lifecycle, including during pregnancy and menopause. There are plenty of exercises you can do - even with a pelvic floor problem or injury such as prolapse. Returning to the right type of exercise at the right intensity with a progressive plan can get you back on track.
Recurrent Mastitis
Forget the cabbage leaves - recent research has told us that mastitis if often due to inflammation and can be improved via changes to feeding habits. Therapeutic ultrasound can also be used to resolve clogged ducts.
Pre and post surgery
Education around toileting and exercise can help return you back to work, sport and sexual activity post:
Gynaecological
Colorectal
Prostatectomy
MESH surgeries
Pessary Fitting
A pessary is a silicone medical device that acts as internal scaffolding in the vagina to support the pelvic organs during daily life or exercise. They can be used short term (recovering from birth or until muscles are strengthened), or long term, sometimes as an alternative to surgery. They work best with a holistic approach to the whole body.
They can be managed by yourself or by quarterly appointments with me.
Menopause and Hormonal Transitions
Pelvic health support during puberty, perimenopause and post-menopause, including bladder, bowel, prolapse, pain and exercise-related concerns.
Questions?
If you are unsure if your condition can be treated or have any further questions, please contact me here: