Women’s Health Physiotherapy

What We Offer

Pelvic health physiotherapy for people assigned female at birth.

Women’s Health Physiotherapy at Not Just Bendy covers the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor, bladder, bowel and pelvic pain conditions in people with hypermobility. These symptoms are common in hypermobile clients and are often not raised at a general physiotherapy appointment.

The service is called Women’s Health because that is the term most people search for. Clinically it is pelvic health, and eligibility is based on anatomy rather than gender identity. It is available to clients assigned female at birth, including trans men and non-binary clients.

Women’s Health appointments are for existing Not Just Bendy clients.

Pelvic symptoms in hypermobile people rarely occur in isolation, so we ask for a hypermobility assessment with one of our physiotherapists first. That way our women’s health physiotherapist has your history, assessment findings and your physiotherapist’s handover before your appointment.

Already a client? Talk to your physio at your next appointment and they’ll arrange the referral. New to us? Start with a booking enquiry and note women’s health as an area you would like to address in the form.

What Women’s Health Physiotherapy Is:

The pelvic floor is the sling of muscles that supports the bladder, bowel and uterus. Women’s Health Physiotherapy assesses pelvic floor function and treats the conditions associated with it: bladder and bowel symptoms, pelvic pain, and the musculoskeletal changes of pregnancy and the postnatal period.

Anna Oh, one of our Senior Physiotherapists, delivers this service. Her pelvic health training and areas of interest are set out under Meet Anna below.

Learn More

Learn more about women’s health issues in hypermobility – our blog covers bladder, bowel, prolapse and menstrual symptoms in more detail.

Why This Sits Inside A Hypermobility Clinic:

Connective tissue contributes to the support of the pelvic organs, which is one reason pelvic symptoms are reported frequently by people with hypermobility. It is also why general pelvic floor advice, particularly advice to simply strengthen the pelvic floor, does not always produce the expected result.

A physiotherapist who already understands how hypermobility affects your movement and symptoms can treat the pelvic floor as part of your overall management rather than as a separate problem.

What This Service Covers

• Urinary incontinence (leakage)
• Constipation and other bowel dysfunction
• Bladder symptoms such as urgency and frequency
• Mild pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic floor weakness or overactivity
• Pelvic pain, including pain associated with endometriosis
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Pregnancy-related pelvic pain
• Postnatal pelvic floor and musculoskeletal recovery

• Returning to exercise after pregnancy

• Pelvic floor education and prevention

Not included: pessary fittings, birth plans or men’s pelvic health.

Before Your Appointment:

You will be sent the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire by SMS and email before your appointment. Please complete it in advance — it covers detailed bladder and bowel history that is easier to record at home than in session. Reception will follow up if it has not been returned.

What Happens At Your First Appointment:

The initial appointment is 75 minutes. The length allows for a full history and discussion before any examination takes place.

Subjective assessment. Anna will take a history covering your symptoms, medical background, bladder and bowel habits, lifestyle and goals. She will have read your questionnaire and your physiotherapist’s handover beforehand.

External assessment. If a physical assessment is appropriate, it may include:

• Visual assessment of pelvic floor contraction and relaxation
• Sensation testing
• Reflex testing
• Movement and posture assessment

Internal examination (optional). An internal examination is only performed with your informed consent. Where you choose to proceed, it may be a vaginal or a digital rectal examination, depending on your symptoms and the findings from the subjective and external assessment. It is performed with a single gloved finger and assesses:

• Pelvic floor muscle function
• Muscle attachments and areas of tenderness
• Pelvic organ prolapse

What Happens After The Assessment:

Anna will develop a management plan based on her findings. This may include:

• Education about your symptoms and how to manage them
• Pelvic floor muscle training
• Exercise prescription, provided through PhysiApp
• Manual therapy
• Lifestyle and activity modification strategies
• Bladder and bowel management
• Biofeedback training

Balanced & Strong group classes may be recommended as a progression, including for return to exercise after pregnancy.

Follow-up appointments are used to review progress and adjust your plan. Anna will recommend a schedule based on your presentation; follow-ups are booked as 45 or 60 minutes.

Meet Anna:

Anna Oh is a Senior Physiotherapist at Not Just Bendy. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2016.

Anna has completed the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s Women’s Pelvic Health Physiotherapy training (Levels 1 and 2) and colorectal practical techniques training, and has attended the Ehlers-Danlos Society’s Female Health Summit. She also holds training in clinical Pilates, dry needling and acupuncture, and has a particular interest in complex hip, pelvis and lower back presentations, which frequently overlap with pelvic floor symptoms.

Anna has lived experience of hypermobility. Read Anna’s full profile.

Fees:

Anna is a Senior Physiotherapist and her women’s health appointments are charged at our standard Senior Physiotherapist rates. Both private and NDIS appointments are available. See our current fees.

Take The Next Step

If you are already a Not Just Bendy client: raise it with your physiotherapist at your next appointment. They will complete a clinical handover to Anna and reception will arrange the appointment.

If you are not yet a client: complete a booking enquiry and indicate that women’s health is an area you would like addressed. You will begin with a hypermobility assessment, after which your physiotherapist can arrange the referral.

For any questions, contact us or call reception on (07) 3123 4826.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral?
A GP referral is not required. A referral from your Not Just Bendy physiotherapist is required, as the service is available only to existing clients who have had a hypermobility assessment with us.

How long is the first appointment?
75 minutes, or 60 minutes if you choose not to have an internal examination.

Do I have to have an internal examination?
No. An internal examination is optional and is only performed with your informed consent. Many women choose not to have an internal examination during their first appointment. There is still significant value in assessment, education, and treatment without an internal examination.

If you are unsure or uncomfortable, Anna will discuss all options with you and ensure you feel informed and comfortable before proceeding.

What paperwork do I need to complete?
The Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire, which is sent to you by SMS and email before your appointment.

Can I see Anna by telehealth?
Yes, for the education and management components. Your symptoms, pelvic floor function and day-to-day management can all be discussed by telehealth. Physical assessment, whether external or internal, cannot be performed remotely.

Who is this service for?
Clients assigned female at birth, including trans men and non-binary clients. Anna’s training does not cover pelvic health for people assigned male at birth.

For other questions, see our general FAQ.

This information is intended as general advice only and does not replace individual medical guidance. Consult your medical professional to determine the best approach for your specific needs.