Do I need treatment? 

 

There are many many men and women of all ages living with leakage of the bladder or bowel, pain, urgency, pain (both internal and external) who either don't realise that treatment is available or are too embarrassed to seek help. Pelvic Health Physio's are very understanding and have heard everything.  There is nothing that is going to embarrass them.  So please, if you are unsure, feel free to drop us an email or give us a call to discuss whether we can help you.  Everything you discuss with us is confidential.  This includes discussing anything with our well trained Receptionists. 

If you've ever experienced the following, treatment is definitely appropriate: 

• ​Urinary leakage – small or large amounts, under high load or no load - urinary leakage is very common BUT NOT normal

• Urgency or bothersome frequency of your bladder or bowel 

• Faecal soiling in your underwear or being unable to control wind

• Having wipe yourself clean multiple times after a bowel motion

• Constipation

• Vaginal heaviness, dragging, bulging or abdominal discomfort or low back pain

• Feeling of instability or pain around the pelvis

• Long term pain in your back, pelvis or hips that just isn’t resolving with normal treatment methods (physio, chiro, osteo,         massage etc)

•  An episiotomy or perineal tear during childbirth

•  Painful or tight pelvic floor muscles

•  Discomfort or pain with sexual intercourse

•  Difficulty with penetration or use of tampons

•  Pain, or altered sensation, in or around the genitalia or pelvis

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How does the Physio assess my pelvic floor? (for women)

 

The most effective way to assess the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic organ position in women is via a digital vaginal examination.  In this way the physio can check that both sides and both layers of the pelvic floor muscles are working.  They can also check for the presence of pelvic organ prolapse, any painful areas of the vagina, scarring or tightness/pain in the pelvic floor muscles and tailor a treatment programme to you to ensure that you reach your treatment goals in the most efficient time possible.

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For a more detailed explanation please click here

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Can real-time ultrasound be used for the examination instead?

 

Yes it can, but it only gives a fraction of the information in comparison with the internal examination.  Real-time ultrasound in women is used to indirectly view the pelvic floor muscles via the base of the bladder.  The probe is placed on the abdomen just above the pubic symphysis and angled down towards the pelvic floor.  When you contract the muscles of the pelvic floor, the base of the bladder lifts.  To an extent you can tell if both sides are working properly but it gives no information about which layer is working, whether there is any pelvic organ prolapse or any damage to the muscles.

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How does the Physio assess my pelvic floor? (for men)

 

Most men look at me in disbelief when they discover they also have “those women’s muscles” and that they are equally important for them as for women, it’s just that there’s one less opening in it and a significant amount less chance of trauma! However, incontinence is very prevalent in the male population too especially with the rapidly increasing rate of prostate problems.  The good news is that pelvic floor muscle training programmes work just as well in men as they do in women. 

 

For men, the most effective way to assess the pelvic floor muscles is using real-time ultrasound externally on the perineum (the area of tissue between the testicles and anus). In comparison to women, where it gives us very little information, in men it gives us the best information as it enables us to visualise the 3 components of the male pelvic floor muscles working.

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In some cases, if faecal incontinence is the main symptom, we may also perform a digital rectal examination to directly test the anal sphincter function.​

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For a more detailed explanation please click here

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Do I need a referral? 

 

No, no referral is necessary to come for an assessment or treatment however, referrals are also welcome. If you are referred to us, we will work closely with your GP/Specialist/Referring Practitioner to enable you to achieve the best possible outcome. 

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Do you accept HICAP's, EPC's, DVA, Pension and Concession cards?

 

Yes we do.

• For the concession rate, please present your Pensioner Concession Card or your Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to Reception when you come for your first appointment. 

• If you have "extras" on your Healthfund that includes physiotherapy, bring your Healthfund card with you to your appointment.  We then sweep it through the HICAP's machine and you just pay the gap. 

• EPC's are extended care plans that are provided by your GP for the management of chronic health problems by 2 or more providers.  You pay for the appointment up front, then we sweep your Medicare card through the HICAPs machine and you will receive a rebate of $56.10 back from Medicare (if you have gone over your Medicare threshold for the year, this rebate will be larger).  

• For DVA please bring your card in with you to each appointment. 

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Can I bring my baby/child with me? 

 

Yes.  We are a child friendly clinic and have a box of toys, books to read and for the older kids, some crayons and colouring sheets.

Just to note though, the exercise equipment is not for playing on or with.  We cannot be held responsible for any injuries that occur to children in the clinic.