Our Mission

" Perspective is key to find a new solution. When you look at things from different angles, you see possibilities that weren't visible before "

As a specialist in bladder and bowel physiotherapy for children, I provide a tailored approach to help manage incontinence and constipation from a physiotherapy perspective. My process begins with a thorough screening questionnaire, followed by a comprehensive assessment to identify each child’s unique needs.

During the assessment, I evaluate key factors such as posture, muscle tone, breathing patterns, sensory awareness, and specific pelvic floor function, using observation and biofeedback, I help children and their families better understand and address any underlying challenges.

By creating a supportive and individualised exercise plan, I aim to improve bladder and bowel function, enhancing a child’s overall comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

Bladder and bowel physiotherapy is a specialised form of physiotherapy that focuses on treating and managing issues related to the bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor muscles. These therapies aim to improve the function of these organs and muscles, helping individuals who experience conditions such as urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence, constipation, and other pelvic floor disorders.

Conditions that are treated by Bladder and Bowel Physiotherapy

1. Urinary Incontinence - Inability to control urine leakage, often due to weak pelvic floor muscles or interception difficulties.

2. Fecal Incontinence - Involuntary bowel leakage caused by weakened anal sphincter muscles; pelvic floor dysfunction or reduced interoceptive awareness.

3. Constipation - Chronic constipation can result from poor bowel habits, weak pelvic floor muscles, or conditions that affect bowel control. Physiotherapy can help retrain bowel function and improve muscle strength.

Key components of Bladder and Bowel Physiotherapy

Physical Assessment:

Posture and musculoskeletal assessment - Children who present with a high or low tone resting tone can have issues with pelvic floor activation and or relaxation. They can also have higher levels of difficulty around interoception.

Breathing -Children who have postural or tonal difficulties can often have dysfunctional breath holding patterns. Breathing exercises can be beneficial.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment and Training :The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. Weak or overactive pelvic floor muscles can contribute to incontinence and other bladder and bowel issues.

Pelvic floor muscle training involves exercises that strengthen or relax these muscles to improve bladder and bowel control.

Biofeedback Therapy: All assessment is external and biofeedback can help in the assessment process but also to assist with exercises. It helps patients gain awareness and control of their pelvic floor muscles by providing visual feedback. Sensors are placed on the skin on the pelvic area to monitor muscle activity. Patients can see when they are properly engaging their pelvic floor muscles and adjust their technique accordingly.

Benefits of Bladder and Bowel Physiotherapy

Non-invasive: Physiotherapy is a conservative treatment, avoiding the need for medications or surgery in many cases.
Improved muscle strength and control: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles helps reduce incontinence and provides better support for the bladder and bowel.
Reduced symptoms: Regular physiotherapy can help decrease the urgency, frequency, and leakage associated with bladder and bowel problems.
Improved quality of life: Managing these issues can significantly enhance a person's confidence, independence, and daily functioning.

Bladder and bowel physiotherapy provides a holistic, non-invasive approach too treating these conditions, with individualised treatment plans to meet each patient’s needs.