Urogynaecological physiotherapy

What is urogynaecological physiotherapy?

Urogynecological physiotherapy is an effective method of treatment and prevention of such ailments as urinary incontinence, increased painful menstruation, endometriosis, lowering of the pelvic organs. Untreated urinary or genital conditions reduce the comfort of life and can lead to serious illnesses. Although they are common, they are still considered embarrassing by many people.

What does a visit look like?

At Damian Medical Center, we make sure that the patient feels comfortable throughout the visit, and that the consultation and therapy take place in a professional atmosphere. The first point of therapy is a detailed interview, after which the therapist proceeds to posture assessment and palpation examination. Depending on the problem and the patient's consent, there is an internal examination of the pelvic floor muscle structures (per Vaginam). We highly value the comfort of our patients and the final decision to conduct this examination is up to the patient. However, it is important to keep in mind that internal techniques give a better picture of the pelvic floor muscles and because they give the therapist better access to the structures that need to be released they are also more therapeutically valuable.
 

When to use urogynaecological physiotherapy?

you are preparing for childbirth, are pregnant or have had a baby,
you are experiencing, for example: urinary incontinence, lowering of the pelvic organs, pain in the pelvic area, painful intercourse, distention of the rectus abdominis muscles,
you have a scar after a perineal incision, episiotomy or cesarean section,
you are preparing for or are after urogynecological surgery,
your doctor has recommended that you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
A visit to a urorehabilitation physiotherapist is advisable for patients of all ages-both as a preventive health measure and for specific ailments. It is especially important for women planning pregnancy, pregnant and postpartum, entering menopause, being before and after pelvic surgery, wishing to increase satisfaction with sexual life.

Contraindications

Hemorrhoids - for per rectum, per vaginam examination,
Hypertension in the third trimester of pregnancy,
Sudden weight loss,
Complicated pregnancy - prior consultation with a gynecologist is necessary,
Hemorrhagic diathesis,
Edema of the whole body.

Preparation for the visit

You should come in comfortable, non-restrictive clothing.
You should bring with you the results of examinations, if any: urogynecological examination, resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray (X-ray) of the spine and others concerning the consulted problem.
It is also worth preparing for the visit substantively - write down your questions and concerns, as well as observations: When does the pain and other symptoms appear? What activities cause it? How long has this condition persisted?
Pregnancy and childbirth
Before delivery, a visit is advisable in the second trimester of pregnancy, and after delivery a minimum of 6 weeks after the baby is born.

Per vaginam and per rectum examinations

These examinations are always performed only with the patient's consent. The physiotherapist makes sure that the patient feels safe and comfortable during the examination.

During the examination, the physiotherapist uses gloves and a special gel. Placing a finger in the vagina or anus and placing the other hand on the abdominal integuments or sacral area, she asks the patient to tense certain muscle parts while examining them by palpation. The examination is also a form of therapy during which the patient learns to use the pelvic floor muscles consciously.