Physiotherapy provides inpatient and outpatient care for patients at the Women’s, including women and newborns.
Our physiotherapists have specialist knowledge of women’s health through all stages of life — from newborns and adolescents, through the childbearing years, into older age and during cancer treatment.
Physiotherapy treatment focuses on maintaining and restoring normal function, minimising dysfunction, preventing disability and improving quality of life.
What we do
A physiotherapist will assess your individual women’s health concern, identify the most appropriate treatment and support you through your recovery.
Physiotherapists work both independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams to provide assessment and evidence-based treatment to women and newborns.
Our physiotherapists provide assessment and treatment for:
- pelvic floor disorders such as incontinence and prolapse
- musculoskeletal conditions associated with pregnancy
- sexual dysfunction
- chronic pelvic pain
- vulval conditions
- newborn conditions
- women’s cancers, including breast and gynaecological
- bowel disorders, including constipation and incontinence
- postnatal recovery.
| Please note: You may have a mix of phone, telehealth, and in-person appointments. Postnatal recovery appointments are all by phone. |
Information for patients
Your first appointment
After you have been referred to Physiotherapy, you will receive a letter from the Women’s with an appointment time.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, or need to change the time, please contact the Clinic as soon as possible so that we can make another appointment for you.
Referrals
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- Internal referral from other services at the Women's only – we do not accept referrals for patients who are not currently patients of the Women's i.e. from GPs.
- Outpatient appointments require a valid internal referral from a Women’s hospital department.
- Referrals are valid for 12 months.
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What to bring
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- Your Medicare card
- Your Health Care card (if you have one)
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Downloads and Related Topics
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Emptying your bladder after you have a baby
After birth, you may have trouble emptying your bladder. If urine builds up, it’s called urinary retention. This fact sheet explains how to prevent it and keep your bladder healthy.
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Improving your recovery after birth – physiotherapy advice
After you have given birth we recommend that you follow some simple steps which will improve your postnatal recovery.
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Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain
Pelvic girdle pain is pain in the pelvic joints that may develop during or after pregnancy.
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Pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands. This fact sheet helps you manage your symptoms and provides tips for breastfeeding.
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Abdominal muscle separation
Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis) happens when the long muscles in your abdomen stretch and move apart during pregnancy.
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Pelvic floor exercises
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support your bladder, uterus (womb), and bowel. Exercising these muscles every day helps keep them strong and prevents weakness.
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Physiotherapy advice - how to avoid lifting and straining
Your doctor has recommended you avoid lifting for medical reasons. This can be difficult if you have small children to look after, but it is possible. The key to managing your lifting restrictions is to plan ahead. You need to re-think all of the types of lifting you do, even those that seem normal or routine.
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After your operation - information to help you recover
Moving after surgery can lower your risk of chest infections and blood clots. Learn simple steps to support your recovery.
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Bladder training
Bladder training helps restore normal bladder function and can reduce bladder problems.
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Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is a condition characterised by a chronic swelling (oedema) which occurs when there is a build up of lymphatic fluid in the body’s tissues. The condition usually affects the legs and or the arms but can also occur in other areas of the body.
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Normal bowel function
The pelvic floor is made up of a network of muscles and nerves which control both bladder and bowel function. Good bowel habits help to protect these muscles and minimise the risk of both bladder and bowel incontinence. This fact sheet is now called Preventing constipation.
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Perineal tears - recovering from a third or fourth degree tear
Sometimes during a vaginal birth, the area between the vagina and the anus may tear. In more severe cases, the tear can extend into the muscle and skin of the anus. This fact sheet explains the steps you can take to help you recover from a third or fourth degree tear.
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