Women’s Health Physio London
Women’s Health Care in London, Canada Water.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy
At MSK Clinic Physio in Canada Water, we specialise in women’s health physiotherapy, offering comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of women at every stage of life. Our expertise includes managing conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, and recovery from childbirth, with a particular focus on pre and postnatal care.
We provide specialised support during pregnancy to help alleviate common discomforts like back pain, pelvic pain, and postural changes while preparing the body for childbirth. After delivery, we assist with recovery through tailored rehabilitation plans to strengthen the pelvic floor, address diastasis recti, and restore overall function and confidence.
Courtney Borg, our dedicated Senior Musculoskeletal & Pelvic (Women’s) Health Physiotherapist, empowers women with the knowledge and care they need to thrive physically and emotionally.
Women’s Health Conditions:
Treatments Provided by our Woman’s Health team:
Initial Assessment: What to expect?
During your first visit, a specialist women’s health physiotherapist will take an in-depth subjective and objective assessment to understand your needs better.
Subjective Assessment
In the subjective assessment, we will ask several questions to learn about your condition and the associated symptoms you are experiencing. We will take the time to understand your goals and determine the impact your condition is having on your everyday life and activities. Below are some examples of what we will inquire about during our questioning:
Obstetric history
Past medical history
Gynaecological history
Bladder/bowel function
Social history/current activity level/hobbies
Sexual health/dysfunction
Fluid intake and diet
objective assessment
In the objective assessment, we will look at how your symptoms impact you physically. This exam component is used to help guide our treatment and intervention approach. Below are some examples of what we will assess during a pelvic health examination:
Posture and alignment
We use ultrasound scans to view your pelvic floor and how the muscles are
working. We can also measure things like the extent of diastasis recti.
External scars
Diastasis recti
Nerve function and sensation testing
Pelvic floor muscle function
Strength and endurance of core, hip, and pelvic musculature
Range of motion and flexibility of hips and pelvis
Breathing strategies
Movement patterns and muscle coordination
If warranted and verbal consent is provided, we will perform an internal pelvic floor examination. This will help us better understand the strength and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles and areas of pain/tenderness. We will offer you the option to have a trained professional chaperone present during the exam.
Women’s Health FAQ
Common Pregnancy-Related Changes that Affect the Musculoskeletal System:
During pregnancy, many changes in the body occur that affect the musculoskeletal system. These include weight gain, a shift in the body’s centre of gravity, ligament laxity, and increased fluid retention. These changes have the potential to lead to pain and disability both in the short term and in the long term.
Weight gain and shift of the centre of gravity puts increased pressure on the spine, hips, and lower extremities’ muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints. This extra weight in the front of the body results in postural changes such as increased lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt.
This redistribution of weight around the belly and resulting postural changes can lead to a new onset of musculoskeletal pain or exacerbate pre-existing musculoskeletal disorders. Ligament laxity during pregnancy results from increased levels of a hormone called Relaxin.
This allows the joints of the pelvis and hips to loosen to create room for smooth passage of the fetus through the birth canal. This laxity results in joints losing their usual level of stability, which often causes pain in areas such as the SI joint, lower back, and pelvic girdle.
Fluid retention occurs during pregnancy due to the adrenal glands producing increased aldosterone and cortisol levels. These are the two primary hormones that cause the body to retain fluid. This extra fluid causes compression of the soft tissues, which may result in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervains syndrome.
Everyday aches and pains during and after pregnancy:
Women are at increased risk for developing SIJ pain, low back pain, pelvic pain, de Quervains Tenosynovitis, “mommy wrist”, and carpal tunnel syndrome are a result of some of the above-mentioned musculoskeletal changes that occur during pregnancy.
Addressing musculoskeletal-related pregnancy pain as early as possible is essential in reducing the risk of long-term pain and disability. See how we can assist you with this below!
Benefits of physio-based strength training for pre and postpartum women:
76% of women report having low back pain at some point during their pregnancy. We can help Individualised treatment plans should be developed to target the trunk’s postural muscles and surrounding musculature to reduce this risk. Not only does having a substantial core help support your back during pregnancy, but it can also increase the chances of a smooth delivery and recovery.
The pelvic floor can begin stretching as early as 12 weeks into pregnancy. We can assist you with a program that builds strength and endurance in the pelvic floor to regain lost muscle tone. It is essential to keep the pelvic floor strong to adjust to the increased stress on these muscles as the baby grows. Developing a strong pelvic floor early during pregnancy will decrease your risk of incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, and vaginal prolapse postpartum.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS, is a common condition that can develop during pregnancy and linger after birth if not addressed. The cause of CTS during pregnancy is due to fluctuations in hormones that result in increased fluid retention. This increase in fluid leads to compression of the nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel and can result in pain, numbness, and tingling
in the wrist, hand, fingers, and arm. To address this, we use specific nerve de-sensitisation techniques, manual therapy, and strengthening of the surrounding musculature.
Postpartum women commonly develop pain in the upper limb (including shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands). This is due to increased loading on the joints from picking up, holding, and feeding your baby. We can work with you to develop a customised upper extremity strengthening program to decrease your risk for these injuries by preparing your joints to tolerate the weight of a newborn.
Prices
Self-funding Prices
- 1-hour Initial Assessment £150
- 45 mins Initial Assessment £120
- 30 mins follow-up £120
Your Physio
Courtney Borg: Women’s Health Specialist
B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physiotherapy, University of Malta
Qualifications
APPI Rehabilitation Pilates Course
APPI – Ante/Post Natal Pilates Course
POGP Courses: Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: Managing complex female pelvic pain
and pelvic floor dysfunction, Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: Pelvic Organ Prolapse – Advancing
Your Practice and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: lower bowel dysfunction.
MASIC: Surgical & Non-Surgical Management at Secondary Stage of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI)
Menopause CPD by UG Dr Charlotte Cassis
Professional memberships:
Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
About Courtney
Courtney is an excellent Women’s Health Physiotherapist & mat pilates instructor. Originally from Malta, Courtney is a Physiotherapist with extensive experience. Courtney’s worked with many different people, including mums-to-be & new mothers, and everyone in between!
Since moving to the UK, Courtney has gained experience in our NHS, where her passion for pelvic health physiotherapy took off; she’s never looked back! Courtney now specialises in treating pain & movement dysfunctions arising through pregnancy, birth-related injuries, including C-section scar management & pelvic floor muscle dysfunction at different stages of life.
Courtney is also a certified Pilates instructor. She confidently uses Pilates in her physiotherapy treatments to maintain strength & fitness in pregnancy, to support recovery from gynaecological surgery or pelvic pain, as well as in post-natal rehabilitation.
“My goal is to help women feel confident & supported during, after their pregnancy or any stage in life. To support women in returning to their physical baseline, if not stronger. It is to teach women how to correct muscle activation dysfunctions, & to guide women in self-managing their symptoms, aiming to reduce stress & anxiety related to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.”
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