Did You Know...?

 Chartered Physiotherapy and Women's Health and Continence Information Leaflet Part 1

 Chartered Physiotherapy and Women's Health and Continence Information Leaflet Part 2

 A Healthy Bladder with Physiotherapy Information Leaflet Part 1

 A Healthy Bladder with Physiotherapy Information Leaflet Part 2

That 120 Chartered Physiotherapists in Ireland are specialised in the field of women's health, which includes the treatment of continence problems in women - but also men and children?

That your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health is skilled in providing care for musculoskeletal problems, for example back pain, in pregnancy?

That many Chartered Physiotherapists in women's health provide group and individual education and instruction in physical preparation for pregnancy and childbirth?

That many Chartered Physiotherapists in women's health have done
postgraduate university study in this specialised field? Chartered
Physiotherapists work in hospitals nationwide, GP clinics , Primary care
clinics and private practice.

That 70% of women with bladder weakness or leakage caused by weak pelvic floor muscles can improve their symptoms with regular pelvic floor exercises?

That Chartered Physiotherapists with an interest in women's health can help people with constipation caused by incorrect muscle action when going to the toilet?

That your pelvic floor is a group of muscles, which supports your bladder and bowel, vagina and womb?  If these muscles are weak, you might feel discomfort or pressure in your pelvis when walking or standing a lot.  Talk to your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health for advice.

That your bladder can hold up to half a litre of urine?  If you feel you are going to the toilet very often to empty your bladder, talk to your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health for advice.

That you can train your pelvic floor exercise to give you better control over your bladder and bowel, better support for your internal organs and improve your sex life?  Talk to your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health for more information.

That men have pelvic floor muscles also?   If you have had prostate surgery, and sometimes leak urine, talk to your doctor and ask about a referral to a specially trained Chartered Physiotherapist.

That if you are pregnant, your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health can help you prepare your body for childbirth?

That your Chartered Physiotherapist in Women's health can guide you in getting your tummy and pelvic floor muscles back into shape if you have recently given birth?

That If your bladder sometimes leaks if you cough or sneeze, this can be helped by learning how to use your pelvic floor muscles better? Talk to your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health.

That urinary incontinence or leakage doesn't just affect old people?  Up to 7% of women age 15-44 suffer from bladder leakage. Your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health can help you deal with this problem.

That surgery is not the only solution if you suffer from bladder leakage?  Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help too. Talk to your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health.

That bladder leakage is a very common problem? Almost 30% of women suffer from this across all age groups.  It can be helped though - see your Chartered Physiotherapist in women's health.

That some women's health Chartered Physiotherapists accept referrals directly from patients? Contact your local Chartered Physiotherapist for further information.

That bladder and bowel control problems, which can be embarrassing if you can't hold on, can be helped with the right treatment?

That the association of Chartered Physiotherapists in women's health is
linked to the international forum of physical therapists in women's health. This international network of colleagues means that physiotherapists can
stay abreast of developments in the field.

The ISCP holds a register of Chartered Physiotherapists with a special interest in women's health issues.

Physiotherapy and Women's Health

Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health and Continence (CPWHC) have a special interest in the physiotherapeutic care of women in relation to childbirth antenatally and postnatally.

The Chartered Physiotherapist teaches antenatal classes along with the midwife and dietician. The Chartered Physiotherapist is also involved in Gynaecological Care including bladder and bowel control, post gynaecological surgery and in treatment of chronic pelvic pain.  Many CPWHC members will also treat men for bladder and bowel control as well as pelvic pain.  CPWHC members treat musculo-skeletal conditions both during pregnancy and immediately postnatally.

Ante-natal Care

The obstetric physiotherapist aims to prevent or alleviate the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy and labour.  This is achieved by improving the mother's physical fitness and her understanding of the changes taking place in her body during pregnancy.

The obstetric physiotherapist is a skilled teacher of effective relaxation, breathing awareness and positioning and thus is able to prepare the woman and her companion for labour.  The preparation of both parents for labour and parenthood is undertaken ideally in collaboration with midwives and health visitors.  Where problems arise, such as backache, pelvic pain and stress incontinence, the obstetric physiotherapist is a skilled clinician in the treatment of these conditions.

Post Natal Care

Postnatally, the obstetric physiotherapist is able to help the mother in her recovery by teaching exercises, backcare and general health education, including coping with the stresses of parenthood. She can assess and alleviate such problems as a painful perineum, backache and stress incontinence.

Gynaecological Care

In this field, the professional expertise of the clinical physiotherapist, combined with sensitivity and understanding, is invaluable to patients whether undergoing gynaecological surgery or suffering incontinence or pelvic disorders.

The Chartered Physiotherapist has a role in rehabilitation of the pelvic floor with bladder and bowel control problems, with disorders of overactivity of the pelvic floor including defecation or painful intercourse problems and with the debilitating condition of chronic pelvic pain.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

There are special considerations with Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) in pregnancy and CPWHC members who are skilled in this field will have the knowledge to correct positional asymmetries and maximise the control of the pelvic girdle control muscles to restore or improve mobility throughout pregnancy. 

This is carried through to the post natal period where strengthening continues.

Treatment extends further than advice and exercises as manual therapy to the pelvic girdle can prove effective.