At Balanced, Women's healthcare covers a wide range of female specific conditions such as pregnancy; menopause; Gynaecological conditions; painful sex; continence issues; and female related cancers or surgery. Our aim is to treat you as a whole, taking into account the fact that your treatment path and progress may be affected by your hormones; mental health issues; lifestyle factors; or finding time for yourself while supporting your family. Our therapists will show empathy and understanding while ensuring treatment is effective and goals are achievable.
Women's Health Physiotherapy
This is a specialised area of physiotherapy that could help you if you are pre/post natal, menopausal, or if have symptoms such as incontinence, over-active bladder, vulvodynia (pain in the vulva), pain with sex, or have a prolapse (also see ‘Pelvic Health’ section).
Post-natally, physiotherapy can be very helpful following birth trauma, c-section, for those with low back or pelvic girdle pain, prolapse, incontinence, diastasis recti (split tummy muscles) and for advice regarding pelvic floor exercises, or return to exercise or sport. Even if you don’t feel any of these apply to you, a thorough check and some advice can be really worthwhile.
A variety of symptoms and problems can affect women at different points throughout their lives and may or may not be related to pregnancy or childbirth. It is common for some symptoms to occur due to changes around the time of the menopause. Many symptoms relate to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Overactivity within the pelvic floor muscles can lead to interference with normal bladder emptying / increased frequency of bladder emptying, or can contribute to vulvadynia, pain with sex, or low back/pelvic pain. Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles can cause incontinence, resulting in leakage of urine (and/or faeces). Physiotherapy can frequently be very beneficial for these conditions.
When you attend your first appointment you will be assessed fully. Firstly this involves taking a thorough history and really getting to understand your individual needs. Following this you will be assessed physically, and then given appropriate treatment and/or exercises. If required (and with your consent) an intimate examination of the pelvic floor may take place. This is done to gain the most insight into your problems and to ensure that the most appropriate treatment is given or exercises are taught, and to make sure these are performed correctly. If you require a chaperone please let the clinic know before your appointment and we will of course provide this service. All consultations take place in a private room and are completely confidential.
Women's Health Pilates
Some of the Pilates team at Balanced have undergone specialised training to ensure they are safe and effective in the treatment of pre and post-natal pelvic pain and muscle imbalances. Pregnancy unavoidably creates a lengthening of the abdominal muscles and places pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. Balanced Pilates will help you to train your muscles to cope with your ever changing posture and the stresses that put son your core muscles.
Pregnancy, labour or a Caesarean section all create muscle imbalances due to stretched, shortened or damaged soft tissue. This, alongside the addition of nursing and caring for your baby (especially as they get heavier), can put additional strain on your posture and muscle control.
Balanced offer Mums and Mums-to-be several Pilates based training options. 1:1 sessions , small group Pilates studio work and ante/post-natal Pilates classes.
Pilates is also the perfect form of exercise for woman passing through the menopause, helping to maintain muscle mass and strength and building bone density that is often lost through lack of oestrogen. Plus you don’t have to get hot and sweaty!
Balanced is also very experienced in offering post-operative Pilates-based rehab for Gynaecological surgery, Mastectomy and female cancer treatments. By setting you achievable goals; working out within a positive environment; and offering you the benefit of our expertise, we feel confident you will be feeling free, stronger and more energised.
Balanced currently offer free Pilates classes for females living with cancer. These are organised through Maggie’s Centre and are likely to have a waiting list. Free 15 minute screening appointments with a Physio are always recommended before embarking on a Woman’s Health Pilates exercise programme.
Pregnancy Massage
Massage can relieve stress, pain, and muscle tension. During pregnancy the goals of relaxation and pain relief are also the same, and may be even more important during such a potentially stressful time.
However a pregnant woman’s body has some sensitive points that need to be treated carefully. While the legs, lower back, and abdomen can regularly take a lot of pressure, this all changes during pregnancy and less pressure should be used. Clients are side lying, never supine. Our therapists focus on upper back, glutes, lower sacrum and use Swedish massage techniques on the lower limbs and feet.
Our Balanced therapists use plant based oils: grape seed, almond, coconut, olive, beeswax with no added essential oils.
Although most massage training institutions teach massage therapy for women who are pregnant, you may prefer to find a massage therapist who is certified in prenatal massage. At Balanced our certified pregnancy massage therapists are Fiona and Aris
Please make us aware if you are, or may be pregnant when booking your massage appointment. As with any therapeutic approach to pregnancy wellness, women should discuss massage with their prenatal care provider.
