Womens Health Physiotherapy
- Rachel Davenport
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?
Women’s health is a specialist area of Physiotherapy treating all problems relating to the pelvis and pelvic floor muscles.
At Healthcare Hub, Rachel Davenport is our Women’s Health Specialist Physiotherapist and can help with the following problems:
Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica or carpal tunnel syndrome
Post-natal check and return to sport guidance
Post caesarean section advice and rehabilitation
Tummy muscle separation - Diastasis Recti/Abdominal Diverication
Bladder dysfunction including stress incontinence and urge incontinence
Bowel dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Incontinence
Pelvic pain
Pelvic organ prolapse
Post gynaecological surgery rehabilitation such as post Hysterectomy advice
Menopause Symptoms
While many women think that these symptoms are a 'normal part of being a woman' and therefore endure symptoms, on average women suffer for 7 years before seeking treatment. These symptoms are common but not something that you need to live. Women’s Physiotherapy can help!
Rachel has over 15 years experiencing in working in Women’s Health and has undergone additional accredited training to specialise in these areas. She is passionate about helping women to recover and improve their symptoms to achieve their goals. Rachel is a member of The Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) group which is a branch of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. She keeps up to date through regular training which includes attending courses, reading and listening to podcasts.
What to expect at your appointment?
Your initial Women’s Health Physiotherapy appointment will last an hour. This is so that Rachel can take a thorough history and fully understand the problems that you are experiencing. Some of the questions may seem personal but this is so that Rachel can gain a full insight into the nature of your problems.
Rachel may use a couple of questionnaires and may ask you to complete these at home.
If it is appropriate, you will be offered an internal vaginal pelvic floor assessment. This is not compulsory but enables the Rachel to assess the strength of your pelvic floor and if your technique to engage your pelvic floor muscles is correct.
The assessment will be discussed at your appointment and there will be plenty of time to ask questions or think about it and do the assessment at the next appointment.
What treatments are used?
Treatment sessions are bespoke to each patient and their needs but typical treatments include exercise, manual therapy, advice regarding fluid intake, bladder training techniques and breathing techniques.
The number of treatments that each client requires varies but on average patients attend between 3-5 sessions. Follow up appointments are usually 30 minutes.
This service is highly confidential and respects the often-sensitive nature of these problems.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy is Important:
1 in 3 women experience urinary incontinence during their lifetime.
Pelvic organ/vaginal prolapse is experienced in up to 50% of women who have had children.
In women who have not children – up to 60% will have some significant bladder/bowel or pain symptoms.
Approximately 20% of 18-50 year old women will complain of chronic pelvic pain.
All women will at some point go through the menopause.
Post-Natal Checks
It is common to experience tummy muscle weakness, low back pain and incontinence post-natally or just be confused about what advice you should be following once you have had your baby. Rachel can carry out a thorough assessment and give you detailed advice about what YOU should be doing to recover, and return to sport where required.
The appointment includes an assessment of your tummy muscle strength, functional muscle strength, pelvic floor muscle strength and spinal mobility.
The assessment will last an hour and Rachel completely understands if you need to bring your baby with you, we are very used to treating with small ones in the room.
It's important to make sure Mummies are well looked after!
Click this link to book with Rachel BOOK
Useful Links
Return to Runing Post-Natal Guidelines - returning-to-running-postnatal–ACPSEM-endorsed.pdf (squarespace.com)
www.maisiehill.com – Author of ‘Period Power’ and ‘Perimenopause Power’
The Davina Taylor Podcast – Hack your Health
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