Women’s Health
Women’s Health Physiotherapy
Too many women are told that pain, leaking, or discomfort is just how it is after babies, or at a certain age, or just as part of being a woman. Nonsense! Most of these issues can be helped enormously with the right treatment.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy is a specialist field focused on the pelvic, abdominal and musculoskeletal changes women go through in puberty, pregnancy, after birth, through perimenopause and menopause, and at every stage in between. At Found Physiotherapy, we offer expert, research-led care in a space where nothing is off-limits, nothing is embarrassing, and you’ll be listened to properly … often for the first time.
What we treat
Common concerns we see include:
Pregnancy
- Pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
- symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD),
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Lower back and hip pain
- rib pain
- sciatica in pregnancy
- carpal tunnel
- preparing the body for labour and delivery
Postnatal recovery
- C-section recovery and scar management
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
- perineal tear and episiotomy recovery
- diastasis recti
- Safe return to running and exercise
Pelvic floor and sexual comfort
- Urinary incontinence (stress, urge, or mixed)
- pelvic organ prolapse
- overactive bladder
- pelvic pain
- vaginismus
- pain with sex (dyspareunia).
Perimenopause and menopause
- Pelvic floor changes
- joint and musculoskeletal pain
- genitourinary symptoms of menopause
Not sure if we treat what you’re experiencing? Get in touch for a free 15 minute consultation call. If we’re not the right clinic for you, we’ll tell you honestly and suggest an alternative.
Care that takes women seriously
Women’s health concerns are often missed or minimised by healthcare systems under pressure, by generalists without the specialist training, and sometimes even by the women experiencing them, who’ve been taught our whole lives that discomfort’s just something we have to put up with.
We do things differently. Your first session is an unhurried conversation where we want the full picture: what you’re experiencing, when it started, how it’s affecting your life, what you’ve already tried. From there, we carry out a specialist assessment appropriate to your concern, which may include an internal pelvic examination where relevant (more on that below). Everything we do is explained, consent-led, and entirely at your pace.
What a course of treatment looks like
Your first session is a full assessment. We’ll talk through your history in detail and carry out a physical assessment. Depending on what you’ve come in with, that might include an external musculoskeletal assessment, an internal pelvic examination, or both. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what’s going on and a treatment plan built around you.
Follow-up sessions combine hands-on treatment, targeted exercises, and education about your body. We’ll discuss how your pelvic floor actually works, what’s driving your symptoms, and what you can do about it. We make sure you clearly understand how to perform your specific exercises by the end of the session.
As you progress, your plan evolves with you. Early sessions typically focus on symptom relief and rebuilding foundations; later sessions progress into strengthening, loading and returning to the activities that matter to you: whether that’s lifting your toddler without leaking, running a half marathon six months postpartum, or simply feeling at home in your body again.
Pregnancy and Postnatal Care
Pregnancy changes your body in extraordinary ways, and recovery deserves care and attention. Whether you’re in your second trimester dealing with sciatica, six weeks postpartum wondering if what you’re feeling is normal, or a year out and realising something still isn’t right, we can help.
During pregnancy, we work with you to manage pain, maintain function and mobility, prepare your body for birth, and address any concerns as they arise. You can see us at any stage of pregnancy.
After birth, we offer comprehensive postnatal assessments (ideally from around six weeks, (though earlier is fine for specific concerns) focusing on your pelvic floor, abdominal wall, and return to movement.
Perimenopause and Menopause
The hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause affect joints, muscles, the pelvic floor, and the tissues of the bladder, vagina and vulva. The symptoms can arrive gradually, be blamed on other things, and go unacknowledged for years.
Physiotherapy can make a significant difference to musculoskeletal pain, pelvic floor changes, urinary symptoms, and sexual discomfort. We treat these concerns with the same specialist care and openness we bring to every other stage of women’s health, and we’re happy to work alongside your GP or menopause specialist where relevant.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist?
No. You can book directly with us, no referral needed. If you’re claiming back through insurance, your insurer may have their own referral requirements, so it’s worth checking with them.
What happens in an internal pelvic examination?
An internal pelvic examination is one of the most reliable ways to assess how your pelvic floor muscles are working. We can check their strength, coordination, tone, and any areas of pain or restriction, and check for prolapse or other structural issues. The process is explained fully beforehand and we only go ahead with your full consent. You’re in control throughout: you can stop at any time, and it’s never required. We’ll only suggest one if it’s genuinely useful for your care.
How soon after birth can I come in?
For a general postnatal assessment, around six weeks postpartum is ideal. For specific concerns (painful scarring, severe pelvic pain, significant prolapse symptoms), you can be seen earlier. We regularly see women months or years after birth who wish they’d come sooner.
Do I need to have had a baby to benefit from women's health physio?
Not at all. Many of the concerns we treat have nothing to do with pregnancy, like pelvic pain, bladder and bowel symptoms, sexual pain, and menopausal changes.
Can I come during my period?
Yes. It’s completely fine to attend. Just let us know when you arrive, and we’ll adapt the session if needed.
Will I be seen by a female physiotherapist?
Yes. All women’s health appointments at Found Physiotherapy are with Ulika.
What should I wear?
Something comfortable you can move in. For appointments likely to involve an internal assessment, we’ll have everything you need in the clinic, and there’s complete privacy to change.
How soon can I be seen?
We usually have availability within the week.