Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialist area of physiotherapy that focuses on the muscles, joints, connective tissues, and nerves of the pelvis and pelvic floor. It helps people of all genders manage and improve pelvic floor dysfunction, pain, bladder and bowel problems, and recovery after pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, or certain medical conditions.
Conditions commonly treated include:
- Urinary incontinence (leaking urine)
- Overactive bladder, urgency, and frequency
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Constipation and bowel emptying difficulties
- Faecal incontinence
- Pelvic pain
- Vaginal, vulval, or perineal pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Postnatal recovery and pelvic floor weakness
- Male pelvic health issues – bladder/bowel/pelvic pain/sexual function
What happens at an appointment?
During an initial appointment your pelvic health physiotherapist will:
- Discuss your pelvic health symptoms and medical history
- Ask about your bladder, bowel and general pelvic health
- If appropriate and with your consent, perform an internal pelvic floor examination to assess muscle strength, coordination, and function
- Develop a personalised treatment plan
Treatments may include:
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Core strengthening exercises
- Bladder retraining
- Bowel management strategies
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
- Manual therapy for pain or muscle tightness
- Lifestyle, fluid, and dietary advice
- Exercise programmes to help return to normal activities
Where to find us
Pelvic health physiotherapy services are provided in various locations throughout the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
How to contact us
Physiotherapy Central Booking
Robinson Hospital, 23 Newal Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6HB
- Telephone: 028 2766 0328
How to access the service
Referrals to the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service will be accepted from GPs, consultants and other allied health professionals.
Referrals and appointments for the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service are managed via a central booking system, based in the Robinson Hospital, Ballymoney.
Our central booking facility can be very busy at times. The service operates from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Useful resources
Bladder Emptying Advice
Bladder Retraining
Bladder Retraining 2
Fluid Advice
ILU Abdominal Massage
Opening Bowel Tips Side 1
Opening Bowel Tips Side 2
Pelvic Floor Side 1
Pelvic Floor Side 2
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Positions Of Ease
The Knack