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FAQS

WHAT TYPES OF HEALTH INSURANCE DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept referrals from all major insurance companies, please check with your insurer prior to booking. You can also self-refer. Clients are required to pay for their sessions - we provide detailed receipts so clients can claim back costs from their insurance company. Please note some insurers do not pay back the full session cost, so please check with your insurer first.

DO I NEED A DOCTOR’S REFERRAL?

Your Doctor may have recommended Physiotherapy to help manage your symptoms. We are happy to liaise with your medical team, but no formal referral is needed. If you have reports from previous treatments and / or investigations, it is often useful for your Physiotherapist to see these.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A PELVIC FLOOR / WOMEN'S PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY APPOINTMENT

  1. Your physiotherapist will ask lots of questions about your general medical history and other specific topics such as:

    1. Bladder and bowel habits (frequency, difficulties etc)

    2. Continence (bladder) - stress incontinence with exercise, coughing or sneezing ; urge incontinence (leaking on the way to the bathroom)

    3. Continence (bowel) - leaking wind of faeces, difficulty passing stool, straining etc

    4. History of childhood and / or sexual trauma

    5. Sexual function - pain, incontinence, lack of arousal etc

    6. Prolapse symptoms - heaviness, bulging, pain etc

    7. Nutrition & general well-being

    8. Your goals / aims of Physiotherapy

  2. Wear comfortable clothing that is not too bulky so your physiotherapist can assess your posture.

  3. Depending on your history, your Physiotherapist may assess different areas of your body, for example:

    1. Spinal mobility​

    2. Breathing pattern

    3. Pelvic alignment

    4. Nerve mobility

    5. Abdominal muscles (and sometime palpation of visceral structures such as bladder, uterus, digestive tract etc)

  4. Be prepared for an internal examination (if you feel comfortable with this). Your physiotherapist will explain this in detail, the reasons for it and whether a vaginal or rectal (back passage) examination is indicated. Usually this includes:

    1. External observation of vulva / perineum​ / any scarring from birth injuries etc

    2. External observation of contraction and relaxation of pelvic floor muscles 

    3. Gentle palpation to assess areas of pain or tenderness externally / internally

    4. Internal assessment of vaginal walls to determine areas of pain, tenderness, scarring or sensitivity

    5. Strength, endurance and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles

    6. Prolapse assessment / diagnosis

  5. These assessment are usually initially completed with you lying on your back, but sometimes it is useful to assess in standing / different positions depending on your symptoms.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A PELVIC FLOOR / MEN'S PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY APPOINTMENT

  1. Your physiotherapist will ask lots of questions about your general medical history and other specific topics such as:

    1. Bladder and bowel habits (frequency, difficulties etc)

    2. Continence (bladder) - stress incontinence with exercise, coughing or sneezing ; urge incontinence (leaking on the way to the bathroom)

    3. Continence (bowel) - leaking wind of faeces, difficulty passing stool, straining etc

    4. History of childhood and / or sexual trauma

    5. Sexual function - pain, incontinence, lack of arousal, difficulty achieving or maintaining erection etc

    6. Nutrition & general well-being

    7. Your goals / aims of Physiotherapy

  2. Wear comfortable clothing that is not too bulky so your physiotherapist can assess your posture.

  3. Depending on your history, your Physiotherapist may assess different areas of your body, for example:

    1. Spinal mobility​

    2. Breathing pattern

    3. Pelvic alignment

    4. Nerve mobility

    5. Abdominal muscles (and sometime palpation of visceral structures such as bladder, digestive tract etc)

  4. Be prepared for an internal examination (if you feel comfortable with this). Your physiotherapist will explain this in detail, the reasons for it. Often this is not completed on the initial assessment. Usually this includes:

    1. External observation of penis / scrotum / perineum​ / anus

    2. External observation of contraction and relaxation of pelvic floor muscles 

    3. Gentle palpation to assess areas of pain or tenderness externally / internally

    4. Internal digital rectal assessment of sphincter, walls and muscles to determine areas of pain, tenderness, scarring or sensitivity

    5. Strength, endurance and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles

  5. These assessment are usually initially completed with you lying on your back, but sometimes it is useful to assess in standing / different positions depending on your symptoms.

WHAT IS ABDOMINAL THERAPY

Abdominal Therapy, as taught by Dr Rosita Arvigo and often termed Maya massage, is specific abdominal massage which aims to improve circulation and lymphatic flow to the abdominal and pelvic region.

 

Suitable for all, abdominal massage aims to increase circulation, aid optimal digestion and support reproductive health. Abdominal therapy includes teaching individuals self-massage to maintain optimal abdominal and pelvic health.

WHAT IS A PESSARY?

Pessaries are used as part of the management for pelvic organ prolapse. Pessaries come in many shapes, sizes and materials. We are able to offer a greater range of pessaries than many NHS pessary clinics.

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Some people wear pessaries all of the time, and some people are taught to self-manage their pessary so they can be inserted and removed at home. 

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Pessaries are part of the holistic management we offer to support women with prolapse, and are often thought of like a 'sports bra' for additional vaginal support. There are so many options, there is no need to 'put up' with symptoms. Please to get in touch if you have any questions.

Abdo Pessary
What to expect
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