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Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

The pelvic floor is a sling of muscle that supports the bladder, bowel and uterus. When it is weak, overactive or poorly coordinated, the result is leaks, heaviness, pelvic pain or low-back and hip pain. Assessment-led physiotherapy retrains it as part of the whole core.

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Typical programme

6–12 weeks

Session length

45 min

Recovery rate

85%

Understanding the condition

A muscle group nobody talks about — until it starts affecting daily life.

The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscle at the base of the pelvis. It supports the bladder, bowel and uterus, helps control continence, and works with the diaphragm, deep abdominals and back muscles as part of your core. When it is weak, overactive or poorly coordinated, the effects range from bladder leaks and urgency to pelvic heaviness, pain and persistent low-back or hip pain.

Pregnancy, childbirth, heavy lifting, chronic constipation, menopause and pelvic surgery are common triggers — but leaks are common, not normal, and they are treatable. A frequent surprise is that some people need to learn to relax the pelvic floor rather than squeeze it, and getting that wrong is why generic advice to ‘just do Kegels’ often fails.

Physiotherapy begins with a private, consent-led assessment, then builds awareness, coordination and strength, and integrates the pelvic floor into breathing, core and functional movement. It is also valuable before and after childbirth and after pelvic or abdominal surgery.

Image — postnatal core and pelvic floor retraining

Why it happens

The root causes we look for.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Load, hormonal change and delivery can stretch or strain the pelvic floor and deep core.

Chronic straining or cough

Constipation, heavy lifting and a persistent cough repeatedly raise pressure on the pelvic floor.

Menopausal tissue change

Falling oestrogen affects the strength and elasticity of pelvic floor tissues.

Overactive or tense muscles

A pelvic floor that can't relax causes pain, urgency and incomplete emptying.

Symptoms we treat

Recognise any of these?

Leaking urine when coughing, laughing or exercising

A sudden, urgent need to pass urine

Heaviness or dragging in the pelvis

Pelvic, low-back or hip pain that lingers after childbirth

Pain during intercourse

Difficulty starting or fully emptying the bladder or bowel

Our Approach

How we'll actually treat it.

STEP 1

Private assessment

A detailed history and assessment of pelvic floor strength, coordination and tension, with your consent at every step.

STEP 2

Awareness & release

Learning to find, relax and coordinate the muscles — many people need to release, not squeeze.

STEP 3

Strength & coordination

Progressive pelvic floor, deep-core and breathing work, blended into functional movement.

STEP 4

Return to activity

Graded return to running, lifting and gym work once symptoms stay controlled.

Services Involved

The disciplines we'll combine.

Every programme braids two or three of our core services. Here's the typical pairing for this condition.

Physiotherapy

Hands-on clinical care — the backbone of every programme.

Clinical Pilates

Mat and reformer pilates supervised by clinicians.

The results

Treatment that actually holds.

Most people notice fewer leaks and less heaviness within six to twelve weeks of a properly matched programme — the key is getting the right exercise for your pelvic floor, not a generic one.

85%

Recovery & satisfaction rate

85%

Improve with a targeted programme

6–12 weeks

Typical programme

45 min

Per session

Common questions

Your questions, answered.

Still unsure? Our clinicians answer the questions patients ask most. You can always call the HSR Layout clinic for a straight answer first.

Ask us directly

They are common, but not something you have to live with. Many women improve substantially with pelvic floor physiotherapy, and it is worth starting rather than waiting for it to settle on its own.

Not always. Some people have a weak pelvic floor and need strengthening, while others have a tense one that needs releasing. An assessment shows which you have, so you do the right exercise.

Not necessarily. Assessment can often begin with history, breathing, posture and external tests, and any internal assessment is done only with your explicit consent.

It depends on your delivery, symptoms and recovery rather than a fixed date. Physiotherapy guides a graded return so that leaks, heaviness or pain do not come back.

Ready to start?

Let's get this handled.

Book a 60-minute assessment with one of our clinicians. You'll leave with a clear diagnosis, a written programme, and a realistic timeline.

Book assessment

What's included:

→ Full movement assessment
→ Diagnosis & root-cause analysis
→ Written programme with milestones
→ Cost & timeline upfront
→ Same-day hands-on treatment if appropriate