Pelvic Pain Program

Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists at Next Wave Therapy in O’Connor (Fremantle) help women and men of all ages who struggle to thrive in life due to pelvic health problems.

  • persistent back pain

  • pelvic floor dysfunction

  • incontinence

  • hip pain

What you get from Next Wave Therapy Pelvic Health Program

  • Learn how the pelvic floor works and what factors are contributing to your pelvic floor problems.

  • Be empowered with knowing what is causing your issues and how you can make changes in your daily life.

  • Develop self management strategies such as how to release tight areas, use breathing techniques, self massage, exercise, sleep and stress management.

  • How to strengthen your pelvic floor and integrate it with full body movement.

  • Address contributing factors to your pelvic floor problems such as; Stress, Sleep problems, Diet and Nutrition.

What is involved?

  1. Comprehensive Initial Assessment

    You will meet with our occupational therapist Carleen Ginter if you have problems with continence, sexual intercourse, pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain or pelvic organ prolapse.

    You will see our physiotherapist’s Rushil Shah or Gabriele Sassi if you have chronic back pain, pre or post surgical problems or want to return to sport.

    After the Initial Assessment your therapist will devise a treatment plan that is targeted for you.

2. Treatment

Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy is provided individually in clinic or in your home.

If exercise based rehabilitation is needed this is offered in semi-private classes.

Building a strong pelvic floor foundation and then layering it into whole body movements like squats and bridges and push ups is the ultimate exercise routine for men and women with pelvic floor problems.

3. Extra Services Available

Our Specialist Physiotherapist Jonathan Wray is available for complex musculoskeletal problems and to give a second opinion on diagnosis and treatment options.

Our mental health occupational therapist provides help for women who also need psychological support.

Our naturopath is also on hand to assist with hormonal health, digestion, pain management, genitourinary health and nutritional advice.

Occupational therapist treating a woman with pelvic floor dysfunction

Occupational Therapist OT assessing pelvic floor with ultrasound

Pelvic Floor Health

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a disruption of the pelvic floor muscle’s ability to contract or relax due to limited strength or range of motion, or a breakdown in communication between the nervous system and the muscles. Along with the rest of the core muscles, the pelvic floor help us during every moment of our lives.

Symptoms relating to pelvic floor dysfunction that can be helped with occupational therapy include:

  • Leakage of urine (or faeces) during activities

  • Sudden strong urge to pass urine

  • Pain in the pelvis, lower back or abdomen

  • Reduced sensation or painful sexual intercourse

  • Pelvic organ prolapse

  • Bulging sensation in the vagina, feeling of heaviness

Causes of pelvic floor dysfunction include childbirth, menopause hormonal changes, chronic constipation, heavy lifting, being overweight, hysterectomy, abdominal surgery, some neruomuscular disorders such as EDS and MS.

Symptoms can take years before they become problematic.

Occupational Therapy Treatment Options for Women

Next Wave Occupational Therapists support women’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs throughout life. We help women to find ways to bring balance within their current life demands.

Delivering high quality occupational therapy care begins with a comprehensive initial assessment getting to know you and your personal needs. This may include use of ultrasound ultrasound to assess pelvic floor function. From there a personalized treatment plan may include:

  • Pain Care - understanding pain and building self management strategies

  • Occupational participation - helping you do what matters in life.

  • Pelvic floor retraining

  • Bladder Retraining and Continence Therapy

  • Trauma Informed Care

  • Relaxation training

  • Help with sleep, fatigue and stress

    Occupational therapists help you heal and recover in life while living it!

 

Pregnancy and Post Partum Pelvic Health

Matrescence refers to the process of becoming a mother: We support the physical, psychological and emotional changes a woman goes through in pregnancy and after child birth.

Next Wave Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy supports women during this special time with pre and post-natal support for adaptation to the changes in life activities and roles.

  • pelvic floor assessment and therapy

  • occupational assessment (self care, home duties, leisure)

  • stress mangement, sleep, emotional support

  • Breastfeeding and mastitis treatment (ultrasound)

Our mental health occupational therapists are also on hand to help mother’s who have mental health concerns such as post natal depression and anxiety.

Pilates Exercise Rehabilitation

Occupational Therapist Carleen Ginter provides Pilates in individual sessions or semi-private classes. Occupational Therapy Pilates will help:

  • Build pelvic floor muscle awareness and control.

  • Improve whole body posture, strength, and range of motion for functional fitness in life.

  • Incorporate pelvic floor muscle awareness into everyday activities, like picking up groceries, pushing or pulling a stroller, etc.

  • Relaxation and stress management

  • Pain Management

    Working towards a strong core and healthy pelvic floor is not instant. You will start to feel stronger overall from Pilates, but you will need consistent practice to see lasting results. 

For more information on Next Wave Occupational Therapy, call us on 08 9337 6460 or send us an email enquiry. If you want to make an appointment with one of our occupational therapists, please book online.