The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Pelvic floor training
RE-EDUCATION OF THE PELVIC FLOOR INCLUDING PHYSIOTHERAPY
HCA UK experts explain how physiotherapy can help to rebuild the strength of your pelvic floor and core muscles.
About the pelvic floor
Over time, a woman's pelvic floor muscles can be weakened by pregnancy, childbirth and weight gain.
In severe cases this can cause pain, possible incontinence, make it hard to pass a bowel movement and lead to vaginal prolapse.
Physiotherapy can help to rebuild the strength of your pelvic floor and core muscles, making you feel confident and in control.
Need to know
Our women's health physiotherapists treat all gynaecological, pelvic, bowel, antenatal and postnatal conditions — from stress incontinence to rehabilitation after a hysterectomy.
The type of physio you have will depend on your condition. First, you’ll have a consultation and an examination of your pelvic floor, so your consultant can devise a bespoke treatment plan.
The treatment could include massage, postural and movement analyses, and exercises. A treatment using an electrical stimulation device may also be used to help exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. You'll also be given simple exercises to do at home.
You'll have a course of physiotherapy treatment sessions. Your consultant will talk to you about how many you need and review your progress as you go to make sure you're heading in the right direction.
Electrical stimulation may be recommended at the same time as physiotherapy. This involves placing a probe in the vagina, with an electrical current that runs through to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
You generally need to use the machine regularly for up to eight weeks. This may be loaned to you to use at home, and if so, you will be given detailed instructions on how to use it.
Over time, physiotherapy should help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and improve your ability to control your bladder. Your consultant will let you know next steps and if you need further treatment.
Our Pelvic floor training locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.