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WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY

At MSO Physio we believe in the enormous benefits of Women’s Health Physiotherapy. Our team of specialist physios and massage therapists are experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of women’s health conditions from low back and pelvic pain to incontinence and rectus diastasis.

At our Sutton and Woking (pregnancy massage only) clinics, we treat women of all ages from teenagers through to menopause and into older life. Our specialised Women’s Health Physiotherapists assess and treat the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction and encourage an active approach to rehabilitation to improve your quality of life.

We specialise in the treatment and rehabilitation of a wide range of women’s health conditions.

Low and mid back pain

 Low back pain is very common during pregnancy. Your body changes in preparation for childbirth with an increase in hormones designed to assist in the delivery of your baby. Unfortunately, this, combined with altered posture and muscle control, can lead to low back pain.

Pelvic girdle pain and symphysis pubis dysfunction

Pelvic girdle pain is pain around the pelvis region related to pregnancy. The changes in your hormones which occur naturally during pregnancy can lead to an increased sensitivity to the structures around your pelvis. This, combined with the increasing size of your baby, can put extra pressure around the pelvic region which can lead to pain and dysfunction.

Rib pain

 Rib pain can occur during and after pregnancy. Altered thoracic biomechanics as a result of postural changes can be a factor both ante and post natally.  A change in posture from feeding a new baby and the lifestyle changes which occur when becoming a mum can also contribute.

Postural changes

A growing bump can change your posture as you progress through pregnancy. The increased size and weight of the baby can change your low back posture which can make it more difficult for your pelvic muscles to control movement. Postnatal feeding positions can also lead to postural pain.

Rectus diastasis

Most women experience a separation in their tummy muscles during pregnancy. This happens to accommodate the size of the baby. If this separation doesn’t resolve naturally within the first few weeks postnatally, it is beneficial to be assessed by a Women’s Health Physiotherapist. Following the assessment, guidance on the type of exercises to be doing will be given to ensure a full return to strength. Antenatal and postnatal Pilates can help with maintaining tummy muscle strength throughout this period.

Bladder and bowel incontinence

After having a baby, most women may experience a weakness in their tummy muscles or pelvic area. Sometimes this can result in bladder and bowel issues. It is important to have any bladder or bowel incontinence assessed by a Women’s Health Physiotherapist. They can assess the cause and design a treatment plan to strengthen the affected area.

Pelvic floor dysfunction

The pelvic floor muscles are put under increasing strain during pregnancy and delivery of your baby. This strain can cause weakness and make it more difficult for the pelvic floor muscles to work well. Post-menopausal women can also suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction due to hormonal changes which occur with the menopause. A Women’s Health Physiotherapy can help you with targeted strengthening of the weakened muscles.

READY TO BOOK?

If you’re ready to book your appointment click below, if you have any questions you’d like to ask before booking please contact us by phone on 0208 254 2150 or email us at info@msophysio.com and we’ll be in touch with you asap.

HOW IT WORKS

Following your comprehensive assessment with one of our specialist team, we design a treatment programme together which may utilise a variety of treatment techniques:

Advice & Education

We offer advice on a variety of pain relieving options, activity modification, posture and positions of comfort following our assessment. Education on comfortable feeding positions postnatally can be really beneficial for those with postnatal musculoskeletal pain.  We offer advice on the use of different pregnancy support belts and can recommend them when needed.

Manual Therapy

We are trained in the use of different manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilisations, manipulations and soft tissue treatments. These can reduce pain and encourage improved movement patterns.

soft tissue techniques

Our team offer soft tissue techniques to help relieve symptoms. Our Women’s Health Sport Massage service delivers antenatal and postnatal massage which is specifically designed to tailor your sports massage to meet your needs during and after pregnancy.

postural advice and retraining

During pregnancy there is often a postural change to accommodate the weight of your growing baby. We can teach techniques to retrain your postural muscles antenatally and postnatally. We also discuss options for optimal positions for feeding your baby and offer advice on baby carriers to suit you and your baby.

Breathing and relaxation techniques

During pregnancy your breathing pattern can be altered, due to pressure on the lungs from your growing baby. This can affect your thoracic spine and ribs. We teach breathing techniques to ensure full lung utilisation and to encourage thoracic mobility. Breathing techniques can be helpful both pre and postnatally for relaxation.

pelvic floor muscles retraining

Your pelvic floor muscles are under increasing strain as your pregnancy progresses and are likely to need retraining regardless of the method of delivery of your baby. The pelvic floor muscles are integral to pelvic stability and play a key role in helping recover from low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. We teach you how to activate your pelvic floor muscles and create an individualised training programme to strengthen them.

antenatal and postnatal pilates

Antenatal and postnatal Pilates can be hugely beneficial in ensuring a full return to all activities after having a baby. Keeping as strong and mobile as you can during pregnancy will help prepare you for the challenges of labour and improve your recovery after having your baby. Antenatal Pilates targets the key muscle groups which are affected by the hormonal and postural changes which naturally occur during pregnancy. Following your 6 week GP check, it is usually safe to return to postnatal Pilates. Our postnatal Pilates classes are baby friendly and focus on strengthening the affected muscle groups to help you return to all areas of life after having your baby.

Taping

Taping can be used to provide pain relief to pelvic structures and can be hugely beneficial to some patients. Tape can give extra support to your lower back and it can also help to offload the structures around the pelvis, both during and after pregnancy.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used for pain relief for pregnancy related conditions. Our Women’s Health team are specially trained in the use of acupuncture and it is safe to be performed antenatally. Acupuncture can be used postnatally for pain relief alongside other treatment techniques.

Strength and conditioning exercises

It is safe to strength train during pregnancy and it is advised that your programme is designed by a Women’s Health Physiotherapist. Targeting your legs, glutes, core and back to maintain or improve strength will help as you progress through pregnancy and prepares you for labour. Following your 6 week GP check, it is normally safe to resume strength training but it is advisable, if you do so, to seek an assessment with a Women’s Health Physio. This ensures you target the specific areas important to you. 

pregnancy massage

Prenatal massages are generally considered safer after the first trimester. Most expectant mothers find that they are feeling their best in the second trimester when hopefully, any pregnancy sickness has receded and energy levels have increased. We offer pregnancy massage at our Sutton and Woking clinics. We have specially training Sport Massage Therapists who deliver individualised antenatal sports massages. Antenatal and postnatal sports massage can relieve pain and can be a great relaxation technique.

prenatal massage

Massage during pregnancy has significant benefits for both mother-to-be and developing baby. As the body adjusts to prepare itself for labour, massage can help alleviate aches and pains and provides invaluable time for rest and relaxation. Massage during pregnancy can help to alleviate tension and reduce stress whilst improving circulation, in turn increasing the supply of oxygenated blood and nutrients to both mother and baby. During pregnancy the mothers centre of gravity shifts, as the weight of baby and mother increases, added stress is placed on the joints. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause joints and ligaments to soften leading many women to experience discomfort, particularly in the lower back and pelvic region. 

postnatal massage

After childbirth, massage can help provide relief from aches and pains associated with the labour process, especially those commonly experienced in the back, neck and shoulders. Massage can alleviate fluid retention and promote relaxation, helping to restore a sense of well-being in the mother. 

additional benefits of ante/postnatal massage
  • Reduces stress levels
  • Helps minimise back and sciatic nerve pain
  • Relieves muscle aches and leg cramps
  • Helps to improve circulation and relieve water retention
  • Boosts energy levels
  • Helps to ease anxiety and depression caused by hormonal changes
  • Helps to relieve insomnia and promote relaxation

 

 

ASSESSMENT OPTIONS


NEW MUMMY MOT

90 MINUTES

£120

 

After having had a baby women may experience a weakness in either the tummy or pelvic floor area which can create instability and affect core strength. The result may be altered load transfer, back pain, pelvic pain or bladder and bowel issues. A thorough assessment with a Women’s Health Physio is vital to ensure full return to activities. This is suitable from 3 weeks postnatal or following your check with the GP/Health Visitor.

This will include:

• Thorough history taking
• Pelvic examination (currently does not include an internal examination)
• Musculoskeletal assessment
• Rectus Diastasis assessment
• Advice on safe return to exercise
• Advice on post-natal Pilates
• Any recommendations for ongoing treatment or further intervention


ANTENATAL ASSESSMENT

60 MINUTES

£90

 

A specially designed women’s health assessment for those going through pregnancy, suitable from your 12-week scan onwards.

This will include:

• Thorough history taking
• Musculoskeletal, postural and movement screening
• Advice on exercise during pregnancy
• Advice on antenatal Pilates
• Any recommendations for ongoing treatment or further intervention


POSTNATAL RUNNING MOT

90 MINUTES

£120

 

Pregnancy and childbirth puts increased strain on your body which can result in pelvic floor weakness, low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. For mum’s who are keen to return to running, it is important to have a postnatal running MOT to ensure that you are strong enough to begin a graded running programme. Returning to running too soon or when weaknesses haven’t been addressed can increase your injury risk.

A full postnatal running MOT is suitable from 6-12 weeks postnatal and includes:

• Thorough history taking
• Musculoskeletal assessment
• Pelvic floor function (currently does not include an internal examination)
• Rectus Diastasis assessment
• Running analysis (after 12 weeks only)
• Strength and conditioning advice
• Training plan to ensure safe return to running
• Any recommendations for ongoing treatment or further intervention


MENOPAUSE PHYSIO MOT

60 MINUTES

£90

 

Menopause is a phase in your life where you undergo changes physically, emotionally as well as physiologically. The wide ranging symptoms can be severe and have a direct affect on the quality of life. Many such symptoms can be addressed with the help of physiotherapy. A Women’s Health Assessment by a Women’s Health Physiotherapist analyses the effect of these symptoms and advises on the ways of managing them.

A Menopause MOT will include:

• Review of your medical history to discuss your general and hormonal health
• Pelvic floor, bladder and bowel function (does not include an internal examination)
• Musculoskeletal and Lifestyle assessment, taking into consideration bone, hormonal and cardiac health
• A musculoskeletal assessment including your core and abdominals
• Exercise advice
• Any recommendations for ongoing treatment or further intervention


ADVANCED MENOPAUSE PHYSIO MOT

90 MINUTES

£120

 

Menopause is a phase in your life where you undergo changes physically, emotionally as well as physiologically. The wide ranging symptoms can be severe and have a direct affect on the quality of life. Many such symptoms can be addressed with the help of physiotherapy. A Women’s Health Assessment by a Women’s Health Physiotherapist analyses the effect of these symptoms and advises on the ways of managing them.

A Menopause MOT will include:

• Review of your medical history to discuss your general and hormonal health
• Pelvic floor, bladder and bowel function (currently does not include an internal examination)
• Musculoskeletal and Lifestyle assessment, taking into consideration bone, hormonal and cardiac health
• A musculoskeletal assessment including your core and abdominals
• Exercise advice and pelvic floor training program
• Any recommendations for ongoing treatment or further intervention

Women’s Health Follow Up

30 MINUTES

£60

 

Women’s Health Follow Up

45 MINUTES

£90

 

Women’s Health Follow Up

60 MINUTES

£120

 

Our initial assessments and MOT’s are designed to provide you with information to start your journey to recovery and beyond, but often follow-ups are required to assess progress, problem solve or trouble shoot. These are generally shorter than first appointments but can be booked for longer sessions based on the needs of the individual.

Women’s Health Follow Up will include:

• A review of symptoms, problems, goals etc…
• Any further assessment required based on the initial or any new problems
• Continued advice, progression of exercises etc…
• Any planned treatment interventions
• Goal setting and planning for further sessions if required

TESTIMONIALS

“I was under the care of Nick suffering from pelvic misalignment, muscle spasm and sciatica. During the time I underwent treatment I was accurately diagnosed with an impingement of the sciatic nerve which was later confirmed with an MRI scan as a bulging lumbar disc.

During the time I received treatment, I experienced relief from the symptoms and was given a series of exercises to carry out for self-care in between appointments. Nick was very practical and pragmatic with the advice he gave me, informing me that surgery is really a last resort and that there are various other options to help recover from the issue.

I have now been given the opportunity of receiving Pilates in a class run at the clinic by a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist, which will be bespoke treatment for the spinal issue I am experiencing. I would happily recommend this clinic and their staff to anyone experiencing any issues.”

LS, ADMINISTRATOR, NORTH CHEAM

“Nick helped me after I started experiencing pain in my hip/leg from weightlifting. He not only identified and guided me through fixing the problem, but has also given me a great deal of valuable advice for my training. Very happy with the results, would definitely recommend.”

Kim Wilson

“Cannot recommend the clinic highly enough. Nick treated my daughter after knee surgery. Hugely thorough, knowledgeable and caring. There are physio teams and physio teams…. This is the best I’ve experienced in years.”

Andrew Willmott

“Unlike what the last guy posted, this is probably the best physio practice I’ve been to. I’ve been to other ‘professional’ physios that provide treatment for the sake of appearing to do something. The first session is generally a consultation to examine the issues. The ongoing advice and treatment is fantastic.”

Stacy Walter

“Great Clinic. Staff is great and very professional. Have had quick a few sports massages with Kieran O’Connor. Highly recommend it!”

Cristina Duarte

“Fantastic service from start to finish. These guys know what they are doing!”

Aine Ringrose

“Top quality advice,better than regular Physio such as Nuffield or nhs.”

Simon Rushton

“Nice folks, reccomened for treatment”

Kenny Khan

MEET THE TEAM

Federica Evola

Federica Evola

Women's Health Physiotherapist

Federica studied Physiotherapy at the University of Palermo, Sicily and graduated in 2017.

Federica moved to UK after her completing her degree and has gained experience in both the NHS, completing rotations in Musculoskeletal, Stroke Rehab and Community and in the private MSK sector.

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Harriet Jones

Harriet Jones

Specialist Musculoskeletal And Sports Physiotherapist

Harriet is one of our Women’s Health Physio team based at our Sutton clinic. Harriet qualified as a physiotherapist in 2007 with an MSc (pre-registration) from King’s College London. Following this, she worked in London Teaching Hospitals which included University College Hospital and King’s College Hospital treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal, orthopaedics, sports and pregnancy related injuries. Harriet is a certified Pilates instructor with the APPI, having completed the matwork certification as well as Reformer training and antenatal and postnatal Pilates courses. She has post graduate training in acupuncture, taping and pregnancy related pain. 

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Liz Amini

Liz Amini

Sports Massage Therapist

Liz is our resident Sports Massage therapist at both our Woking and Sutton clinics.

Liz is a Level 4 qualified Sports Massage therapist, and through years of experience in the 5* hospitality sector brings a holistic approach together with exceptional patient care, working closely with the Physiotherapy team to ensure faster results. Liz enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping clients understand the nature of their problem, and combines her techniques in a way that’s individual to each patient.  Liz is able to aid recovery from injury, improve soft tissue function, relieve tension and stress, and improve posture and performance for individuals from all walks of life.

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INSURANCE

We accept payment from major insurers, if your insurance company isn't shown below please contact us to discuss options, we may still be able to help!

CONTACT US

Use one of the methods below or the contact form & we'll get back to you asap

info@msophysio.com

020 8254 2150

Rosehill Park, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 3HH

Woking SportsBox, Egley Road Woking, Surrey, GU22 0AF.

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