Women’s Health Physiotherapy

During pregnancy

Pregnancy changes posture, loading and ligament laxity over a short period, and the lower back, pelvis and hips absorb most of that change. Common complaints include lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain that makes walking, stairs and turning in bed painful, rib and upper back pain later in pregnancy, and swelling in the legs.

Treatment includes safe strengthening for the muscles supporting the spine and pelvis, manual therapy adapted to pregnancy, positioning advice for sleeping and daily activity, guidance on support belts where they are appropriate, and pelvic floor education before delivery rather than after it.

After delivery

The postnatal period gets very little structured physical care, despite involving significant recovery. Abdominal separation, ongoing back pain, weakness in the trunk and pelvic floor, and pain around a caesarean scar are all common and all responsive to treatment.

Postnatal rehabilitation rebuilds deep abdominal and pelvic floor function first, then progresses to the strength you actually need — lifting and carrying a growing baby, often while managing a household. Returning to exercise is staged rather than sudden, because going straight back to running or heavy training usually provokes symptoms.

It is worth saying clearly that there is no expiry date on this. Women who gave birth years ago can still make substantial progress on abdominal separation, back pain and pelvic floor strength.

Other conditions in this service

• Lower back, neck and shoulder pain, including pain related to caring for young children.
• Pelvic girdle and sacroiliac joint pain, in and outside pregnancy.
• Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) assessment and rehabilitation.
• Postural pain related to feeding, carrying and desk work.
• Osteoporosis-related exercise guidance and safe loading.
• General strengthening and return-to-exercise programmes.

Privacy and how appointments are arranged

Female patients are treated by female physiotherapists in a separate treatment arrangement. This applies across the centre, not only to this service — it is how Physio Motion is organised.

When you message us, say what you would like help with and that you would prefer a female physiotherapist, and the appointment will be scheduled accordingly. If you would rather explain the details in person rather than over WhatsApp, that is completely fine — just book the assessment.