Women's health physiotherapy Sunshine Coast

Leaking is common, but it is not normal in the sense that it's something you have to accept as a permanent feature of life after childbirth. The pelvic floor is a muscle group, and like any muscle group, its function can be assessed, treated, and significantly improved with the right intervention. Research consistently shows that a properly assessed and supervised pelvic floor rehabilitation program resolves or significantly reduces leaking in the vast majority of women. The key word is "properly assessed". Just telling someone to do Kegels without knowing whether their pelvic floor is weak or overactive is inadequate and sometimes counterproductive.

We recommend a postnatal assessment from around six weeks after delivery, once you've had your initial postnatal check with your GP or obstetrician. However, there are things we can assess and discuss even earlier, particularly in the first few weeks if you're experiencing significant perineal pain, struggling with scar management, or concerned about abdominal separation. If you're unsure about timing, give us a call and we'll advise based on your specific situation.

An internal assessment provides the most accurate information about pelvic floor muscle function: whether muscles are weak, tight, poorly coordinated, or have reduced endurance. It is the gold-standard method for assessing what's actually happening. However, it is always offered as an option, never assumed or required. Some presentations can be assessed and treated effectively without internal assessment, particularly in the early stages of treatment. We will always explain what is involved, why it's recommended, and you have complete choice about whether to proceed.

Absolutely. Physiotherapy during pregnancy is safe and highly beneficial. Pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain, symphysis pubis dysfunction, and round ligament pain are all very common and very treatable during pregnancy. Early assessment and treatment prevents many of these conditions from worsening as your pregnancy progresses. We also provide antenatal pelvic floor preparation; research shows that learning correct pelvic floor technique before delivery significantly improves postnatal recovery.

Diastasis recti is a separation of the two sides of the rectus abdominis (the "six-pack" muscle) along the midline of the abdomen. It occurs in the majority of women by the third trimester of pregnancy and naturally reduces in the weeks following delivery. However, when the separation remains functionally significant, affecting load transfer, causing a "doming" with abdominal exercises, or contributing to back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, targeted rehabilitation is warranted. Treatment focuses on restoring intra-abdominal pressure management and graduated loading of the linea alba, not simply "closing the gap." The gap measurement alone is less important than the tension and function of the midline tissue.

If you have a chronic condition managed under a GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, you may be eligible for up to 5 bulk-billed physiotherapy visits per calendar year. This can apply to pelvic floor conditions, particularly where they are long-standing. Speak with your GP about whether a CDM plan is appropriate for your situation. Private health insurance (extras cover) also provides rebates for physiotherapy at HICAPS; rebates can be claimed on the spot at our clinics. Learn more about bulk billing →