Central Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

13/05/2026

Hypermobility Disorders and Pelvic Health. This article draws attention to a health issue that comes up all the time in the clinic. Women present with pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic pain with a finding that the pelvic floor is in a state of "increased tone" which means the muscles are tight. In the article below this is also referred to as "muscle guarding" and happens as a result of muscles working more intensely over time to support the lax joints.
When muscles are tight they don't work well and hence we may have bladder and bowel issues or more commonly pain with sexual activity where the muscle tightness causes friction and resistance to pe*******on.
If pelvic floor doesn't work well it may cause overwork and compensation in external pelvic muscles hence broader, more confusing patterns of ongoing pain may be present. Likewise external pelvic muscle issues can feed back to the pelvic floor in a vicious cycle of muscle guarding and muscle compensation patterns.
As we work through it is vital to work out why the muscles are in a state "muscle guarding". A quick check of the "Beighton Score" for hypermobility picks up something that the client has often never known before. The challenge is how to manage it and make diagnosis of what type of joint hypermobility syndrome we are dealing with.
Not everyone who has tight pelvic floor muscles has joint hypermobility, but if joint hypermobility is present then we need to identify it to adequately manage any of the ensuing problems.

Physiotherapist Pauline Slater and musculoskeletal GP Dr Ramona Chryssidis outline six myths about hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and the evidence that challenges them. May is EDS and HSD Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness of the....

19/06/2025

This service, started in 2023, continues to provide help for adults and adolescents ( if attending with a parent or guardian). Many of the problems addressed are chronic in nature meaning the problems have been present for months and years. You will be surprised how complex issues can be unraveled and worked through in a relatively short time. The key is often a simple matter of knowing what has gone wrong and why “self help” strategies have let you on the wrong path. Understanding the right approach and how to manage correctly can be life changing. If unsure if you need pelvic health physiotherapy, just call and speak directly with Caroline Bender. Looking forward to hearing from you.

27/08/2024

In this webinar we were reminded of mechanisms behind chronic pelvic pain syndromes associated with endometriosis: Bladder pain, IBS and gut disorders, sexual pain and pelvic floor and musculoskeletal muscle pain are all to be expected. All elements of the problem must be managed within the bigger picture… women deserve this understanding. Understanding is the first step to solutions.

11/07/2024

It is quite common to feel heaviness after a va**nal delivery. Some deliveries stress the ligaments and support structures of the pelvic floor more than others such as delivery of a baby 4 kilograms or heavier. Or, delivery of a baby with forceps assistance and long pushing phase of labour will put added stress on the pelvic floor. Heavy sensation or slight bulging within the va**na is therefore normal but recovery takes time. So it can be distressing as you try and establish new routines and enjoy life with your new baby. A ring pessary is a small device which sits within the va**na and relieves the symptoms when up and about and getting on with life in the recovery period after the birth of your baby.

20/06/2024

Chronic pelvic pain covers a wide range of issues where often one issue or pain may trigger pains in other area or organs. It is by no means straightforward. But muscle problems are more often than not implicated. There is so much we as Physiotherapists can do hands on. But also at the broader level of helping you to understand the mechanisms of pain and knowing what you can do to help yourself.

12/02/2024

February is “Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month”. Physiotherapists are taught to look out for symptoms that we call “red flags”. “Red flags” are signs that tell us a Doctor should investigate. We will always refer back to your Doctor if we think it necessary. As for ovarian cancer, as the messages above remind us, we need to be alert because the signs stay subtle and hidden till late. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you are concerned.

03/01/2024

I'm really pleased to be bringing pelvic health physiotherapy services to Kyneton having worked in Kyneton some years ago, before I specialised in Pelvic Health. I did my studies in Western Australia and then spent 13 years on the Mornington Peninsula running a dedicated Pelvic Health practice. Now back in Kyneton!
check out the website for more information:
centralpelvic.com.au