Our Services
- Modern Physiotherapy Clinic is your best destination for the most reliable and effective physiotherapy treatments.
- We are constantly expanding our menu of services to meet your health goals and disease management needs.
- Our professional physiotherapists are here to help restore your body to its fullest potential.
Women's Health
At Modern Physiotherapy Clinic, we aim to support women through managing the natural challenges that occur during every stage of life, including pre- or post-natal, and the natural aging process that women experience. Our physiotherapists are experts in musculoskeletal issues associated with pregnancy (pre- and post-natal), birthing, post-partum, and breast feeding. Another major experience that our physiotherapists can guide women through is menopause.
Where we can help:
- Pre- and post-natal care and advice
- Lower back, pelvic girdle, sciatic, postural, neck pain
- Breast feeding/postural issues
- Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain
- Mastitis
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Carpel tunnel
- Core muscle retraining
- Osteitis pubic
- Return to exercise after pregnancy
- Post breast surgery
- Prolapse
- Osteoporosis
- Pelvic floor and incontinence
- Bladder leakage – stress incontinence or urge incontinence
- Bladder frequency, urgency & nocturia
- Voiding dysfunction e.g. incomplete bladder emptying
- Bowel issues e.g. poor control or constipation
- Endometriosis pain
- Muscle spasm
- Sexual health
- Pre/post-gynaecological surgery e.g. Hysterectomy
- Menopause symptoms
- Prevent future injury
Having informed and honest discussion with your physiotherapist is important to understand and overcome your condition.
We have a variety of modalities and services that can help with health problems and issues that women face.
TECAR can help with a range of indications in Women’s Health. TECAR Therapy is a thermotherapy modality that relieves pain usually within the first session of treatment. Patients see a reduction in oedema, inflammation and pain due to increased blood circulation, faster healing process and endorphin production.
Shockwave Therapy is another modality that can help with a range of Women’s Health Problems, including pelvic pain, coccygodynia and sexual pain.
One in two postmenopausal women will have osteoporosis.(1) Physiotherapists can help with this condition in a range of ways; however, a popular service is Clinical Pilates. Studies have shown a significant decrease in pain intensity levels, and an increase in physical performance and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis after participating in Clinical Pilates.(2)
Lymphedema is one of the most problematic and dreaded complications of breast cancer treatment.(3) It is reported that 30% of people will get lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. To prevent lymphedema, there are exercises that can help, however Clinical Pilates is a great alternative or addition to your treatment plan. Studies have shown that participating in Clinical Pilates reduces the severity of lymphedema and anxiety associated with the condition, an improved quality of life, and greater function of the upper body.(4)
(1) www.endocrine.org. (2022). Menopause and Bone Loss. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/menopause-and-bone-loss#:~:text=One%20in%20two%20postmenopausal%20women.(2) Angın, E., Erden, Z. and Can, F. (2015). The effects of clinical pilates exercises on bone mineral density, physical performance and quality of life of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 28(4), pp.849–858. doi:10.3233/bmr-150604.
(3) Hayes, S.C., Janda, M., Cornish, B., Battistutta, D. and Newman, B. (2008). Lymphedema After Breast Cancer: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Effect on Upper Body Function. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(21), pp.3536–3542. doi:10.1200/jco.2007.14.4899.(4) Şener, H.Ö., Malkoç, M., Ergin, G., Karadibak, D. and Yavuzşen, T. (2017). Effects of Clinical Pilates Exercises on Patients Developing Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. The Journal of Breast Health, [online] 13(1), pp.16–22. doi:10.5152/tjbh.2016.3136.
Analysis of your gait can identify many different conditions, and if recognised early, intervention is very effective. When it comes to Women's Health, the Gait Scan allows for:
- Pre and post pregnancy evaluation
With the visual biofeedback of diagnostic ultrasound, physiotherapists look for such things as changes in associated structures such as the bladder base, tissue deformation and movement; it can however also be used to assess muscle structure and behaviour and to perform measurements of muscle thickness as evidence of muscle activation.(1)
You may be struggling with an exercise, or finding it difficult to engage the right muscles in movements or positions. This is when the Ultrasound Biofeedback service can help! It is a teaching tool used to improve outcomes and helps the patient reliably perform the task. It allows for confirmation of a task being learnt and performed. (2-4)
(1) Whittaker JL, Teyhen DS, Elliott JM et al. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging: understanding the technology and its applications. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2007; 37(8): 434– 49.(2) Baessler K, Schussler B, Burgio KL, Moore KH, Norton PA, Stanton SL. Pelvic Floor Re-education Principles and Practice, 2nd edn. London: Springer; 2008.(3) Teyhen DS, Miltenberger CE, Deiters HM et al. The Use of ultrasound imaging of the abdominal drawing – in maneuver in subjects with low back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2005; 35(6): 346– 55.(4) Frost N, Clarke J. Ultrasound for biofeedback in physiotherapy. soundeffects 2004; 4: 10– 3.
FAQs:
1. What is Prolapse?
Prolapse occurs when the vaginal walls become weak or slip out of place, and more specifically when the structures that support the vagina and pelvic organs become strained or overloaded. The bladder, bowel or cervix can move downward into the lower part of the vagina. Symptoms include:
- Heavy feeling around the lower tummy and genitals
- Dragging discomfort within the vagina
- Feeling or seeing a bulge or lump coming out of the vagina
- Discomfort or numbness during sex
- Problems peeing such as feeling like you have not emptied your bladder after peeing, needing to go to the bathroom more often, or leaking when coughing, sneezing or exercising
- Low back ache
Prolapse affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime with 1 in 10 women having surgery for prolapse or incontinence. The risk of prolapse increases with age, childbirth and increasing bodyweight. All of these events affect the supporting structures of the pelvic organs as they may stretch, tear, soften or weaken the tissues that support the pelvis. Many women are not aware of how physiotherapy can aid in improving symptoms of incontinence and prolapse.(5)
A physiotherapist can offer:
- Biofeedback, which is a technique that uses your mind to become aware of what is happening within, and therefore allows you to gain control
- Pelvic floor exercises to improve coordination, strength and endurance
- Postural and breathing exercises
- Lifestyle changes that relieve symptoms such as exercise routines
- Techniques for emptying bladder i.e., positioning, optimising muscle and breathing function
The benefits are:
- Increased bladder health
- Improved bowel health
- More comfortable sex
(5) Symptoms and causes. (2022). http://content.choose.physio/sites/default/files/2021-05/APA_WCD_Factsheet-2-prolapse_FW_0.pdf?utm_source=factsheetPL&utm_medium=womenshealthpage&utm_campaign=WCH.
2. What is incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is known as ‘bladder weakness’ and affects 21% of Australians above the age of 15. There are two types of urinary incontinence:(6)
- Stress induced is due to movements or activities that place pressure on the bladder such as jogging, lifting, laughing, or sneezing
- Urge induced occurs with an overwhelming desire to go to the bathroom which causes the bladder muscles to contract and cause leakage. Common triggers are running water, putting keys in the door, or anxiety
Both types of incontinence are caused by weak or poorly functioning pelvic floor muscles, drinking too much fluid or poor toilet habits.The physiotherapist can offer:
- Pelvic floor muscle training
(6) Women may experience these different types of leakage together (mixed urinary incontinence) or independently. (2022). http://content.choose.physio/sites/default/files/2021-05/APA_WCD_Factsheet-1-incontinence_FW.pdf?utm_source=factsheetIncont&utm_medium=womenshealthpage&utm_campaign=WC.
3. Can men be affected as well?
Men can have pelvic floor issues as well! They result in pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, or bladder/bowel issues too. Pelvic floor muscle training is highly suggested for recovery post-prostate surgery.
4. How can physiotherapy help with sexual pain?
10-20% of women aged 20-50 years of age have experienced some form of sexual pain, with some women always having difficulty or discomfort with sexual activity. For some women, sexual pain can arise after childbirth, injury to the pelvis or at the onset of menopause. Many women suffer in silence, however there is treatment for you!(7)
Sexual pain can be caused by:
- Difficulty and pain with penetration
- Fear and anxiety that causes increased tension of the pelvic floor muscles
- Trauma
- Psychological factors
- Changes to the vaginal lining during menopause
- Overactive pelvic floor muscles
- Inadequate lubrication
- Disorder of the urethra or surrounding structures
The physiotherapist can offer:
- Vulvar care strategies
- Education on use of lubricants
- Relaxation techniques
- Manual therapy and stretching
- Pelvic floor muscle training for relaxation
- Other modalities and services that offer pain relief, such as TECAR, electrotherapy and shockwave therapy
(7) choose.physio. (2022). Choose physio | Australian Physiotherapy Association. https://choose.physio/your-wellbeing/sexual-health.
5. What is an Ultrasound Biofeedback Muscle Retraining Session, and how can that help with Women’s Health?
Sometimes when physiotherapists give you an exercise to help strengthen your muscles, it can be hard to tell if you are engaging the correct muscle. That is where an Ultrasound Biofeedback Muscle Retraining Session can help!
Our physiotherapists will apply gel to the area, and the ultrasound scanner will move over the area. This allows visualisation of the muscles as you move. The physiotherapist will work with you to find different positions and exercises that allow you to activate the right muscles effectively.
This is especially beneficial with pelvic floor problems such as incontinence, sexual pain, and prolapse. When performing pelvic floor exercises, it is extremely important to engage the correct muscles to strengthen them, and improve symptoms/conditions.
Our treatment manifesto
Core values we bring to your physiotherapy experience
> Find the root problem
We take the time to understand your history and perform a thorough physical exam to figure out the real source of your pain.
> Provide exceptional care
Providing quality patient-centered physical therapy care is the most important part of being a physiotherapist.
> Become your advocate
From advocating for you with your doctor to connecting with other healthcare providers, we work to make sure your recovery is the best one possible.