Women's Health Physiotherapy: Breaking the Taboo Around Pelvic Floor Issues

At Lambert Sports Clinic in Surbiton, our women's health physiotherapy team led by Sharon Edwards with 30 years of experience is dedicated to breaking the silence around pelvic floor dysfunction, providing expert, compassionate care for conditions that affect millions of women but are rarely discussed openly.

Understanding Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Common but Hidden Problem

Despite affecting up to one in three women at some point in their lives, pelvic floor issues remain shrouded in unnecessary secrecy and shame. At Lambert Sports Clinic in Surbiton, we believe that open discussion and education are the first steps toward better pelvic health.

The pelvic floor consists of layers of muscles and tissues that stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone to the tailbone, supporting the bladder, uterus, and bowel. When these muscles become weakened, damaged, or overly tight, various symptoms can develop that significantly impact quality of life.

Common Pelvic Floor Issues After Childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth place enormous stress on the pelvic floor, with up to 50% of women experiencing some form of pelvic floor dysfunction postpartum. At our Surbiton clinic, we commonly treat the following conditions:

1. Stress Urinary Incontinence

This involves involuntary leakage of urine during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. Many new mothers accept this as an inevitable consequence of childbirth, but with proper physiotherapy intervention, it can be significantly improved or resolved completely.

One of our patients, Claire, shared: "After my second child, I couldn't even jump on the trampoline with my kids without leaking. I thought I'd just have to live with it. After six sessions with Sharon at Lambert Sports Clinic, I was able to return to my exercise classes without worry. I wish I'd known sooner that this wasn't something I had to accept."

2. Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) descend from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. Symptoms can include a feeling of heaviness or dragging in the vagina, a noticeable bulge, discomfort during intercourse, or difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel completely.

While severe prolapses may require surgical intervention, mild to moderate prolapses can often be managed effectively with specialized physiotherapy. Our approach includes:

• Targeted pelvic floor strengthening exercises
• Advice on proper body mechanics to reduce pressure on the pelvic floor
• Guidance on appropriate exercise modification
• Pessary fitting and management when appropriate

3. Diastasis Recti

This condition involves separation of the abdominal muscles along the midline (linea alba) during pregnancy. While some separation is normal, persistent significant gaps can contribute to core weakness, back pain, and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Our physiotherapy approach addresses diastasis recti through:

• Assessment of the degree and functional impact of the separation
• Specific exercises to restore core function rather than just closing the gap
• Breathing retraining to optimize pressure management
• Guidance on safe return to exercise

4. Perineal Pain and Scarring

Tears or episiotomies during childbirth can lead to painful scarring that affects comfort during daily activities and intimacy. Our women's health physiotherapists provide:

• Gentle scar massage techniques to improve tissue mobility
• Graduated desensitization for painful scars
• Advice on comfortable positions for sitting and intimacy
• Strategies to reduce pain and promote healing

Pelvic Floor Changes During Menopause

The hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause can significantly impact pelvic floor health. Declining estrogen levels affect tissue elasticity and blood flow, potentially leading to:

1. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

Previously known as vaginal atrophy, GSM involves thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal tissues. This can lead to urinary symptoms, vaginal dryness, and discomfort during intercourse. While hormone replacement therapy is one treatment option, our physiotherapy approach can also help through:

• Advice on appropriate moisturizers and lubricants
• Gentle exercises to improve blood flow to the pelvic region
• Techniques to reduce discomfort during intimacy
• Coordination with medical management when appropriate

2. Overactive Bladder

Many menopausal women experience increased urinary urgency and frequency, sometimes with urge incontinence (sudden, intense need to urinate resulting in leakage). Our physiotherapy interventions include:

• Bladder training techniques
• Urge suppression strategies
• Pelvic floor coordination exercises
• Advice on fluid intake and dietary triggers

Margaret, 58, shared her experience: "The constant need to find a bathroom was ruling my life. I was getting up 5-6 times every night and couldn't sit through a movie without rushing out. The bladder training program Sharon designed for me at Lambert Sports Clinic has been transformative. I'm now sleeping through most nights and can enjoy social activities without constant anxiety."

3. Pelvic Floor Laxity

Hormonal changes combined with aging can lead to reduced muscle tone and tissue elasticity in the pelvic floor. This may contribute to stress incontinence or prolapse, even in women who haven't given birth. Our approach includes:

• Individualized pelvic floor strengthening programs
• Functional integration of pelvic floor activation into daily activities
• Core stability training
• Weight management guidance when appropriate

Non-Invasive Treatment Options at Lambert Sports Clinic

At our Surbiton clinic, we offer a range of evidence-based, non-invasive treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction:

1. Specialized Pelvic Floor Assessment

Our women's health physiotherapists conduct thorough assessments that may include:

• Detailed history taking in a private, comfortable environment
• External assessment of posture, breathing patterns, and core function
• Internal examination (with consent) to assess pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and coordination
• Functional testing to understand how symptoms impact daily activities

This comprehensive assessment allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan addressing your specific needs and goals.

2. Individualized Pelvic Floor Exercise Programs

Generic "Kegel" exercises are often insufficient or even counterproductive for many women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Our approach includes:

• Tailored exercises based on your specific assessment findings
• Biofeedback training to improve awareness and coordination
• Progressive loading to build strength and endurance
• Functional integration into daily activities and exercise

3. Manual Therapy Techniques

Our physiotherapists are trained in specialized manual therapy approaches for the pelvic region, including:

• Myofascial release for tight, painful pelvic floor muscles
• Scar tissue mobilization
• Trigger point release
• Visceral mobilization techniques

4. Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications

We provide practical advice on:

• Optimal toileting habits and positions
• Dietary modifications to reduce bladder irritation
• Proper lifting and movement techniques to reduce pelvic floor strain
• Exercise modifications to protect the pelvic floor

5. Therapeutic Adjuncts

When appropriate, we may incorporate:

• Electrical stimulation for muscle re-education
• Vaginal weights or cones for progressive resistance training
• Real-time ultrasound for visual biofeedback
• Supportive devices such as pessaries

Expert Insights from Our Women's Health Specialists

Sharon Edwards, our lead physiotherapist with 30 years of experience, shares some key insights about women's health physiotherapy:

"One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is that pelvic floor issues are an inevitable part of aging or motherhood that women simply have to accept. This couldn't be further from the truth. With proper assessment and targeted intervention, the vast majority of women can experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life."

Other important insights from our women's health team include:

On Pelvic Floor Exercises

"Many women have been told to 'do their Kegels' but have never received proper instruction on how to perform them correctly. In fact, up to 30% of women actually bear down instead of lifting up when attempting pelvic floor contractions. This can worsen symptoms rather than improve them. Proper assessment and instruction are essential."

On Postpartum Recovery

"The standard six-week postnatal check is often insufficient for identifying and addressing pelvic floor issues. We recommend that all new mothers have a pelvic health assessment with a specialized physiotherapist, ideally between 6-12 weeks postpartum, even if they aren't experiencing obvious symptoms."

On Exercise During Menopause

"High-impact exercise can exacerbate pelvic floor symptoms during menopause, but that doesn't mean women should stop being active. Instead, we help women modify their exercise routines to protect their pelvic floor while maintaining fitness and bone health, which are especially important during this life stage."

Patient Experiences: Breaking the Silence

Many of our patients express relief at finally being able to discuss their pelvic floor concerns openly in a supportive, professional environment:

Rebecca's Story: Postpartum Recovery

"After my third child, I was experiencing leakage every time I exercised and a constant feeling of heaviness. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, even my GP. When I finally made an appointment at Lambert Sports Clinic, I was amazed at how normal they made me feel. Sharon explained everything clearly and created a treatment plan that fit into my busy life as a mom. Six months later, I'm back to running and playing with my kids without any issues. I wish I'd sought help sooner."

Diane's Journey: Menopausal Changes

"When I started experiencing vaginal dryness and discomfort during intimacy in my early 50s, I thought my sex life was over. My GP suggested hormone therapy, which helped somewhat, but the physiotherapy program at Lambert Sports Clinic made an even bigger difference. They taught me exercises and techniques that improved blood flow and tissue health, and gave me practical advice that made intimacy comfortable again. The care was so professional and matter-of-fact that I never felt embarrassed discussing these personal issues."

Jennifer's Experience: Athletic Performance

"As a competitive tennis player, I was devastated when I started leaking during matches. I was wearing dark clothes and pads, but still felt self-conscious and it was affecting my game. The team at Lambert Sports Clinic not only helped resolve my symptoms through targeted exercises, but they also taught me proper breathing and core activation techniques that actually improved my athletic performance. I'm now competing at a higher level than before and feel completely confident on the court."

When to Seek Women's Health Physiotherapy

We recommend consulting with our women's health physiotherapy team if you experience:

• Urinary leakage during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Feeling of heaviness or dragging in the vagina
• Pain during intercourse
• Difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel completely
• Persistent lower back or pelvic pain
• Concerns about returning to exercise after childbirth
• Changes in pelvic health during perimenopause or menopause

Early intervention is key to preventing progression of symptoms and achieving optimal outcomes. At Lambert Sports Clinic in Surbiton, we offer quick appointment availability to ensure you can access care when you need it.

Breaking the Taboo: Our Commitment to Women's Health

At Lambert Sports Clinic, we're committed to breaking the silence around pelvic floor health through:

• Creating a safe, non-judgmental environment for discussing intimate health concerns
• Providing clear, accurate information about pelvic floor function and dysfunction
• Empowering women with effective self-management strategies
• Advocating for greater awareness of women's health physiotherapy
• Continuous professional development to ensure our team provides the most effective, evidence-based care

Under Sharon Edwards' leadership, our Surbiton clinic has become a trusted resource for women's health physiotherapy in the London area, with a reputation for compassionate, effective care.