Physiotherapy - What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?

This service provides assessment and treatment of:

• Chronic pelvic pain (including prostatitis, coccyx and vaginal pain)
• Incontinence of urine
• Incontinence of faeces
• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Prolapse
• Back and pelvic pain in pregnancy
• Separation of the tummy muscles (DRAM) during or after pregnancy.

The pelvic health team

We provide telephone, video and face to face consultations. You will be reviewed by the same therapist at all your treatment sessions. If you need to attend, treatment will be provided in your local area.

Assessment

The assessment lasts approximately one hour. A thorough history will be taken about your condition.

• When it started
• What makes it better or worse
• Your past medical history
• Your occupation, hobbies or interests and how they are affected by your condition
• Medication (please have available a list of any medicines or tablets you are currently taking)

Physical assessment

If you have been referred with back or pelvic pain in pregnancy, it will be necessary to assess your back and pelvis. Please wear suitable clothing e.g. shorts, leggings or large knickers so that it is easy to see your back and pelvis.

If you have been referred with bladder, bowel, pelvic floor problems or chronic pelvic pain, the assessment will take place in a private room.

To enable a decision to be made on the correct treatment, it is helpful to do a vaginal or rectal examination. (If you would like another professional to accompany you for this, please ring the department before your appointment so this can be arranged). If you have any concerns regarding the assessment please discuss this with your therapist.

Treatment

All the treatment options will be discussed with you and your therapist will be able to answer any questions or concerns that you have.

Consent

You are able to say ‘No’ to any part of the treatment or assessment.

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please contact:

Salford Royal - 0161 206 1063 or email pelvic.health@nca.nhs.uk

Fairfield General, Bury - 0161 778 3882 or email FGHphysio@nca.nhs.uk

Royal Oldham - 0161 357 5227/0161 627 8517 or email physio.therapy@nca.nhs.uk

Rochdale Infirmary - 01706 517316 or email physioRI.Op@nca.nhs.uk