The goal of pre-natal pelvic floor physiotherapy is to prepare the body for a healthy pregnancy both for mommy and baby. We can assess for a number of different conditions and check how the pelvic floor is working in preparation for labour.

Post-natal physiotherapy continues where we can work on scar massage if needed, assess for weakness, check for diastasis and prevent any postpartum complications.

Other conditions we have treated in the past include pain during sexual intercourse. Post-natal sex can be painful, but we can assess and understand the root cause of this. Is it because the fascia is too tight? Are there tight muscles? We can do an in-depth analysis on this to get a better idea of what is causing the issues.

Another common condition we treat is abdominal separation, known as Diastasis rectus. A gap is usually normal in late-stage pregnancy and can last a bit longer after. Kya has taken a number of pilates courses so her goal is to assess and strengthen the core safely to help with any separation that could occur.

The pelvis is a complicated system of organs that all connect together. Is it a nervous system issue? Is it a muscle that is weak? Tight? Are there problems with muscle activation? Is back pain contributing to a pelvic floor issue?

Kya uses different techniques that can help solve most issues that relate to pelvic pain. Using her expertise in pilates, Intramuscular stimulation (IMS), and respiratory therapy for breathing and relaxation, together with manual techniques, she can help with pain around the pelvic area. She has a particular interest in low back pain and how it can relate to pelvic function.

Pelvic pain can be a result of different conditions and Kya has treated a number of different ailments including dyspareunia (Pain during sex), painful periods, nocturia, Vulvodynia, vaginismus, bladder pain syndrome or interstitial cystitis, endometriosis and symptoms contributing and pelvic girdle and low back pain.

A very common condition that Kya sees in the clinic is bowel and bladder issues. The goal is to resolve pain, help with leakages and make sure you can get back to your activity without having to think about your bladder!

Muscles are assessed for activation and weakness. The nervous system also plays a role in muscle firing, so this will be assessed and treated. As intra-abdominal pressure rises, this could put extra pressure on the bladder and/or bowel causing issues with control.

Overactive bladder is also a common bladder issue that Kya treats.

When we hear prolapse, we get a bit scared. However, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help immensely with this condition. A full assessment both externally (and internally if needed) can help us to differentiate what the problem is, whether there is muscle weakness, or tightness in the pelvic floor muscles or are there other factors contributing?

Numerous techniques can be used to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles whilst also aiming to strengthen muscles that surround the lower back. Emphasis is to strengthen both deep muscles but also larger superficial muscles like the glutes to make sure the whole root of the issue is being covered.

Kya has specialized in treating female lower back pain and how it integrates with pelvic health. She has taken numerous courses including pilates, intra-muscular stimulation (IMS), manual therapy techniques and a number of pelvic health courses to improve the function of the pelvic floor as it relates to lower back pain. She also uses the Integrated model to take a full picture of how other parts of the body can help with low back pain. The lower back ties in with the sacrum and sacroiliac joint dysfunction so pain around that area is also a part of the treatment of the back. Tailbone pain or coccydynia is also a common condition treated.

Research has shown that low back pain and pelvic floor weakness are correlated together. Kegels are very commonly prescribed, but there are numerous other exercises that we use to help strengthen core and pelvic muscles.