What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?
Women’s health physiotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of all disorders affecting the pelvis and pelvic floor. From incontinence to prolapse, pelvic pain or constipation, there is growing evidence that physiotherapy can alleviate, and in many cases cure these symptoms. We are experienced in treating women through pregnancy, post natally, through menopause and beyond!
What can I expect at my women’s health appointment?
Your assessment and treatment will be tailored specifically to you and your presenting complaints. We will start with a detailed history which will be taken in privacy – we are very sensitive to the fact that these conditions may be difficult to discuss.
Your physical assessment will most likely begin with examination of your abdominal muscles, pelvis and lumbar spine – these structures house your all important pelvic floor muscles; a dysfunction in one of these areas can result in dysfunction elsewhere. If appropriate you may then be offered an internal examination. This is an important part of your assessment and necessary in identifying the tone, strength and control of your pelvic floor muscles. Using finger palpation the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue will be assessed for injury or scarring, signs of pelvic organ prolapse, muscle tone, tenderness, sensation and neural sensitivity. Following which the pelvic floor muscle will be tested for strength and endurance. It is important to determine if the left and right, superficial and deep pelvic floor muscles are working together, and if not why not.
We can then develop you a specific and individualised treatment and exercise programme. The assessment findings will be discussed with you and treatment will depend upon findings and your symptoms.
Conditions we treat
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness vs Weakness
- Pelvic organ Prolapse
- Pelvic pain, including Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
- Incontinence
- Constipation
- Urinary frequency and urgency – Including overactive bladder syndrome
- Pudendal nerve injury
- Intersistitial Cystitis
- Vaginal pain including vaginismus and Vulvodynia
- Diastasis recti abdominis muscle – tummy muscle separation post-natally
- Perineal/episiotomy and caesarean section scarring
Treatments we offer
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises
- Biofeedback and muscle stimulation for pelvic floor muscle retraining
- Internal pelvic floor muscle release
- Perineal and scar massage
- Diagnostic ultrasound for pelvic floor retraining and abdominal muscle recovery
- C-Scar massage
- Pilates for pregnancy and post natally
- Post natal rehabilitation
Megan Vickers
Megan graduated from Brunel University in 2006 and has experience within both the NHS and private practice as a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist. In 2010 Megan joined The Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates institute and completed her training in women’s health Physiotherapy.
Megans training and experience in musculoskeletal, pelvic floor and obstetric physiotherapy is a unique combination. Megan understands the relationship between our skeletal alignment and the muscles that they house, always treating the body as a whole. Megan specialises in manual therapy, pelvic floor release and pelvic floor retraining. Megan also uses acupuncture to improve muscle tone and function as well as relieving pain. Megan works regularly with ladies pre or post- gynaecological surgery to strengthen and rehabilitate the muscles of the pelvic floor to alleviate symptoms and enhance recovery.
Megan also enjoys working with ladies in pregnancy and postnatally; treating pelvic girdle pain, tummy muscle separation (diastasis recti abdominis (DRA)) and pelvic floor dysfunctions including stress urinary incontinence. Megan has a keen interest in the return to sport and fitness post-natally and rehabilitating women through pelvic floor injury or dysfunction to full fitness.
Jessica Kostos
B Physio (Honours), Grad Cert Physio (Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehab) (UniMelb)
MCSP, MHCPC
APPI Certified Pilates Instructor
Jessica (Jess) Kostos graduated with Honours at The University of Melbourne in Australia, and has since completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy to become a specialist Women’s and Men’s Health Physiotherapist. This enables her to assess and treat any dysfunction of the pelvic floor including bladder and bowel issues, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain conditions. Jess is also a certified APPI Pilates instructor and has further training in dry needling and chronic pain management.
Jess has gained extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors. In Australia she worked in a large community hospital as part of a multi-disciplinary maternity team, both on the ward and in the outpatient department. During this time she won an award for her quality improvement project to reduce wait-times for the Physiotherapy Ante-natal Clinic.
Jess also has experience working in multiple private practices specialising in women’s and men’s pelvic health, musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. Jess’s experience and training in musculoskeletal, pelvic floor and obstetric physiotherapy is unique and allows for a more holistic approach to treatment.
Jess has a particular interest in treating pre and postnatal women, and would consider herself a guru for anything pelvic related. She regularly sees patients with pelvic organ prolapse, abdominal separation (DRAM) and urinary incontinence. APPI Wimbledon is equipped with real time ultrasound which Jess regularly uses for assessment of the pelvic floor and tummy muscles.
Her clinical approach combines traditional physiotherapy with clinical Pilates, dry needling, education and exercise therapy to treat, manage and promote wellbeing. She is passionate about helping people of all ages achieve their optimal physical health and wellbeing.
Anna Woolley
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons) Animal Biology, M Level Acupuncture, MCSP, MHCPC
APPI Certified Pilates Instructor
Anna trained at Kings College London and has over 10 years experience in both NHS and Private settings. She has extensive experience in hands on treatment, acupuncture and exercise and can assess, treat and rehabilitate all types of pain and injuries. Anna is a specialist in all things spinal and pelvic. She is trained in women’s health Physiotherapy and treats a range of pre and postnatal clients Including pelvic floor weakness, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and abdominal muscle separation. As a mother of 3 she understands the importance of good post natal care and rehab.
Anna is fully certified in APPI mat work and equipment Pilates and uses this along with her passions of yoga and running to create sessions that are unique, precise and tailored to the individual in achieving their goals as well as being challenging and fun. She believes in treating holistically and uses her knowledge of nutrition and exercise to incorporate the whole body in rehabilitating the problem area.