Women’s Health
A woman's body goes through more structural change across a lifetime than almost any other physical variable a physiotherapist encounters. Pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, hormonal shifts, and the specific loading patterns of daily life all create musculoskeletal demands that are frequently under-treated – or dismissed entirely.
At Akeso, women's health physiotherapy is hands-on, clinical, and specific. We do not offer generic advice or exercise sheets. We assess what is actually happening in your body, explain it clearly, and build a treatment plan around your stage of life and your specific goals.
Our women’s health services
Prenatal Physiotherapy
The musculoskeletal changes of pregnancy – shifting centre of gravity, hormonal ligament laxity, increasing load on the spine and pelvis – begin early and accumulate throughout all three trimesters. Pain during pregnancy is common, but it is not something you simply have to endure. We treat pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain, sciatica, rib pain, wrist and carpal tunnel symptoms, and the range of musculoskeletal complaints that arise as the body adapts to pregnancy. Treatment is safe, gentle, and adapted to your stage at every session.
Postnatal Recovery
The postpartum body needs proper rehabilitation – not just time. Whether you have delivered vaginally or by Caesarean, the deep abdominal and pelvic floor system has been significantly disrupted and needs structured reloading to function properly again. We address lower back and pelvic pain that persists after birth, guide the safe return to exercise and sport, and ensure the foundation is solid before higher loads are introduced. Most postnatal problems are highly treatable when addressed correctly – and far harder to resolve when left too long.
Post-Caesarean Rehabilitation
A C-section is major abdominal surgery, and the body deserves a recovery plan that reflects that. Scar tissue that is not properly mobilised restricts movement, contributes to ongoing pelvic and lower back pain, and creates fascial tension that affects function well beyond the incision site. We begin scar tissue work as soon as your obstetrician clears you, rebuild the deep core system the surgery has disrupted, and manage the full transition back to daily life, exercise, and activity – at the right pace for your body.
Nursing & New Mother Injuries
The sustained, awkward positions of feeding, carrying, and caring for a newborn accumulate into neck, shoulder, and wrist pain that many new mothers accept as an unavoidable part of early parenthood. It is not. These are among the most fast-responding conditions we treat – a handful of targeted sessions address the accumulated tension directly, and practical positioning advice prevents it from returning between feeds. You have enough on your plate. This one we can fix quickly.
Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Separation)
Abdominal separation is a normal part of pregnancy – the linea alba widens to accommodate the growing uterus. The problem arises when it does not close adequately after birth, leaving the core unable to generate the tension needed to support the spine and pelvis. We assess the gap and tissue quality directly, distinguish between cases that respond to exercise and those that need more careful management, and prescribe the specific loading programme that closes it safely. Equally important: we identify the exercises commonly done in the postpartum period that actively make it worse.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the bladder, bowel, and uterus – and it is among the most overlooked structures in the body until something goes wrong. Weakness or dysfunction following pregnancy and birth can cause stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, and pain during intercourse. Overactivity can cause pain, difficulty voiding, and pelvic tension that is frequently misattributed to other causes. We assess pelvic floor function thoroughly and treat both presentations with the clinical precision that this area requires.
What to expect at your first session
Your first appointment is a full consultation with one of our Clinic Directors. We take a detailed history — your pregnancy or birth history, your symptoms, your goals, and how your body has been responding. We then carry out a thorough physical assessment, explain our findings clearly, and give you a personalised Care Plan.
1. Assessment
A Clinic Director will take a detailed history and thorough examination to understand how you move, discover the root cause of any pain.
2. Planning
Based on the findings and your personal goals, we will create a customised step-by-step Care Plan.
3. Healing
The goal is to get you out of pain and heal your body by using a blend of Australian Manual Therapy techniques.
4. Strengthening
We combine our deep physiotherapy knowledge with the latest movement science, to strengthen your body and prevent future injuries.