Female Athlete Health

We also have a special interest in female athlete health. We have experience in assessing and rehabilitating a range of sports injuries within the female athlete population. We specialise in the care of athletic pregnancies and postnatal return to sport and exercise. We draw upon the vast experience in our team of pelvic health and specialised musculoskeletal physiotherapists to provide individualised rehab programmes for our clients.

We treat females from young teenagers through to later life, with treatments tailored specifically to women, as their physiology differs to men. For years women in Sports Medicine have been treated as small men, with research lagging behind for the female athlete. We utilise our experience and training to tailor our rehabilitation programme to suit the individual needs of the female athlete. This includes cycle tracking to optimise different times of the cycle where women may adapt better to different types of training.

Antenatal Sport and Fitness

It is important to maintain strength and cardiovascular fitness throughout pregnancy, in preparation for delivery of your baby and for life as a new mum. At MSO Physio we offer safe, physio-led pregnancy training programmes for all women. These are evidence based and tailored to the individual.

Our physio-led pregnancy-safe training programmes include strengthening, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, core exercises and pelvic floor muscle training. Following a comprehensive assessment, we evaluate your past medical history and current exercise level to prescribe a personalised, pregnancy-safe exercise programme tailored to suit your needs. Your pregnancy exercise programme can then be completed independently or with one of our pregnancy-trained therapists. We recommend starting the programme as soon as you feel well enough following your positive pregnancy test. The exercises are gradually progressed and started at the level which is right for you, so should be manageable around how you are feeling throughout the pregnancy.

Hypermobility

Hypermobility is a condition often seen in teenage girls which can be hugely helped by physiotherapy. Following a comprehensive assessment, we create bespoke exercise programmes to target key muscles. Stability, endurance, proprioceptive and strengthening exercises are usually combined in an individualised programme. We also offer a range of clinical pilates exercise classes which may help people with hypermobility.

Energy Deficiency Syndromes

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a condition where there is a mismatch in energy expenditure and input. This can be seen in the female athlete population. We work alongside Sports and Exercise Medicine Consultants to rehabilitate athletes from REDs. Treatment usually involves a period of rest, whilst conditioning the unaffected areas, followed by a graded return to loading under the guidance of our Specialised Female Health Physiotherapists.

ACL Injury Prevention

ACL injury prevention programmes are designed for the athletic female to try to reduce their risk of ACL injury. There is currently an epidemic of ACL injuries occurring in young female athletes which has been highly reported in the media. It is thought this is likely to be due to a huge variety of factors ranging from hormones, muscular control systems, biomechanical differences between genders and from sports equipment design. We draw upon the most recent research to prescribe individualised ACL injury prevention programmes for athletic females.

Menopause and Exercise

There are many physiological effects of the Menopause which can impact musculoskeletal health. We take a comprehensive medical history to ensure we consider the range of factors which can influence during the menopause. We utilise resistance training to optimise bone health as part of our menopause specific rehabilitation programmes.

Breast Health

Breast weight can be a barrier to sports, fitness and physical activity. Breasts can change in size and appearance throughout the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breast-feeding and due to the menopause. Breast weight can affect our posture and can contribute to neck, back and shoulder pain. Wearing an optimally fitting bra, combined with strengthening the postural muscle systems will likely improve your symptoms and improve your posture and confidence to engage in exercise. An optimally fitting sports bra is likely to improve your sports performance, through making movement more physically economical and comfortable.

We can advise on bra types and make recommendations on the most suitable type for you and your sporting activity. We can advise on bra fitting, ensuring you are happy with how to make sure your bra fits you correctly and provides the necessary support.

All women would benefit from physiotherapy postural and bra advice, from teenagers through to post-menopausal women. Our comprehensive physiotherapy assessment will look at your posture, spinal health and current bra support. Following this, we formulate an individualised treatment plan which may consist of postural exercises, neck and back exercises, manual therapy, soft tissue work and advice on bra type and bra fitting.