Physiotherapy Services
in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
If you have any questions about any of the services on offer, please contact Anna for further information.
Women's Health Physiotherapy
A third of women will experience symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction throughout their life span; with this being more likely during pregnancy, the postnatal period and menopause. Symptoms greatly impact quality of life and mental wellbeing, potentially affecting ability to work, exercise, socialise and maintain sexual relationships. Many women never seek treatment as they feel too embarrassed, think their symptoms are normal or are not aware that physiotherapy has proven effectiveness to manage these symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms and want to check if physiotherapy is right for you, please contact Anna
Common conditions Anna treats:
-
Stress & Urge Urinary Incontinence
-
Weakness or tightness of the pelvic floor
-
Overactive Bladder syndrome
-
Pelvic organ prolapse
-
Tummy Gap/Diastasis Recti
-
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
-
Rehabilitation post gynaecological surgery
Musculoskeletal physiotherapy &
post-operative rehabilitation
Anna has extensive experience treating musculoskeletal injuries and will examine you thoroughly to provide you with a diagnosis for your problem, explaining this fully alongside possible causative factors that will be important to considering in management & prevention. If you have recently has surgery, Anna can guide you through your post operative rehabilitation and design you a program for at home or to do in the gym.
Common conditions Anna treats:
-
Low back pain
-
Shoulder injuries
-
Knee injuries & ACL rehabilitation
-
Hip pain
-
Neck pain
-
Occupation injuries & repetitive strain injuries
-
Post operative rehabilitation
Physiotherapy during pregnancy &
birth preparation
The changes our bodies undergo during pregnancy affect women in different ways. The increased load of the growing baby puts more pressure on our musculoskeletal system and pelvic floor; common symptoms experienced during pregnancy include urinary incontinence, low back, hip or pelvic pain (including pelvic girdle pain), sciatica, symptoms of prolapse and carpal tunnel syndrome. Anna has extensive experience treating all of these issues.
Physiotherapy during pregnancy can help you prepare for birth. Assessing your pelvic floor function, and importantly it’s ability to relax is really useful as this is required during the pushing phase of labour! Perineal massage is recommended from 35 weeks, with strong evidence that this helps reduce the severity of birth injuries. Anna can guide you though this, giving you the confidence that you are doing it correctly.
Postnatal Mummy MOT
The physiological effects of pregnancy and childbirth are often underestimated, and minimal advice is given about how to navigate postnatal recovery. This specialist assessment of your pelvic health provides you with the answers on how things are functioning postnatally, as well as a step wise plan for returning to the activities you love. Anna has worked extensively in exercise rehabilitation and postnatal recovery, and also is a mum of two herself. This enables her to relate to your experiences as a new mum!
During your Mummy MOT we’ll discuss your birth, any symptoms you may be experiencing and your goals for recovery. Physical assessment is guided by this discussion, but usually involves checking functional movements & breathing patterns, the pelvic floor, tummy muscles and scar healing (C-section, tears and episiotomy). From there you will be given advice on how to navigate any symptoms, as well as a graduated plan for recovery and exercises that you can start with straight away. All this information will be detailed in a written report and sent to you following your consultation.
For new mums, 6 weeks post delivery is a great time for a Mummy MOT. However it is appropriate at any point after having your baby if you are experiencing symptoms or want support & guidance. Common issues that women experience in the postnatal period include urinary incontinence, back, hip or pelvic pain (including pelvic girdle pain), tummy gap/diastasis recti and symptoms of prolapse. These are not normal and should not be accepted as a routine part of childbirth. There is also good evidence supporting physiotherapy as a method of managing them!
Menopause MOT
This provides a comprehensive pelvic health and musculoskeletal assessment targeted at any symptoms you may be having, empowering you though your menopause journey. It includes screening for any bladder, bowel or sexual symptoms, and a screening of movements like squatting and lunges to assess the musculoskeletal system. We will then discuss a treatment plan targeting any symptoms and how to manage them going forwards.
