Services
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:
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Stress & Urge Urinary Incontinence
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Weakness or tightness of the pelvic floor
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Overactive Bladder syndrome
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Pelvic organ prolapse
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Tummy Gap/Diastasis Recti
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Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
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Rehabilitation post gynaecological surgery
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!
C-section Advice Sessions
A C-section is major abdominal surgery, and a lot of confusion exists about what is ‘safe’ to do post surgery, especially when caring for a new baby and perhaps older children too. Anna can guide you through those early few weeks so you feel confident to navigate daily movements and tasks. She will provide advice on techniques to promote wound and scar healing, including scar desensitisation and massage. She will also provide you with early exercises that you can start when you are ready, and discuss a plan going forward for getting you back to the things you want to be doing!
Postnatal Rehabilitation -
Return to Sport & Exercise
Getting back to exercise and sport postnatally can be very challenging! Aside from the barriers of finding time and organising childcare, our bodies feel so different in those early months and this can be demoralising. In addition, some women also experience symptoms when they try returning to activities that they did previously. Anna has extensive experience in exercise rehabilitation, sports physiotherapy and working with postnatal women, so will be able to get you back to doing the sport you love! An individualised program (for at home or for the gym) is the ideal way of building back up to your previous level.
Anna runs a weekly Postnatal Strength Class at Revolution Fitness (Bury St Edmunds) which you can bring your baby to! It’s designed to help women recover and build up strength postnatally and get back into exercise in a safe and supportive environment. Please see testimonials for the glowing feedback these classes have received!
