mnaphysiotherapy

02/11/2026

👇 LET'S TALK!

Have you ever been told you had PCOS based on an ultrasound alone?

Have you been treated for individual symptoms without anyone investigating your metabolic health?

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMENTS.
📌 SAVE this post — you may need this information at your next doctor's appointment.
↗️ SHARE it with a woman who deserves to understand her hormones and her health better.
❤️ FOLLOW for more evidence-informed conversations about women's hormonal and metabolic health.

Because it's time we stopped treating ovaries in isolation and started treating women as a whole.

26/10/2026

🏊‍♀️ Can swimming pools cause va**nal and bladder nfections? Here’s what you REALLY need to know! 👇

“Swimming pools are full of germs. No way am I getting in!” 😱

“Chlorine kills everything. Pools are safer than lakes or rivers!” 🤔

Sound familiar? The truth is a little more nuanced!

💧 It’s not just about what’s in the water - it’s also about how your skin reacts to it.

A properly maintained swimming pool is generally safe, but chlorinated water can cause dryness and irritation around the v***a. And bacteria responsible for infections don’t necessarily come from the pool itself.

🦠 Bacteria such as E. coli, which normally live in the gut, can enter the urinary tract and cause a UTI. And no, you can’t catch common STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia or HIV from properly treated swimming pool water!

✨ So, how can you protect your intimate health after swimming?

✅ Shower after swimming and gently wash the v***a (the external ge***al area).
✅ Avoid perfumed products and never do**he - your va**na is self-cleaning!
✅ Change out of your wet swimsuit as soon as possible.
✅ Choose breathable underwear, such as cotton.
✅ Use your own clean towel and never share towels.
✅ Avoid visibly contaminated water and try not to swallow pool water.

🚨 Experiencing itching, unusual discharge, burning or urinary symptoms? Don’t assume it’s just irritation. Get checked to find out what’s really going on.

💬 What’s YOUR number-one tip for staying healthy after swimming? Share it in the comments!

📌 Save this post for your next pool day and share it with a friend who needs to hear this!

SwimmingTips WomensWellness HealthEducation

21/10/2026

WHY DOESN’T PAIN ALWAYS DISAPPEAR AFTER ENDOMETRIOSIS SURGERY? 🌿

Removing endometriosis lesions doesn’t always mean the end of pain. Why? Because chronic pain can be maintained by several overlapping mechanisms.

🔎 What could be contributing to persistent pain?

1️⃣ Overactive pelvic floor muscles

Chronic pain can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tighten protectively, leading to tenderness and difficulty relaxing. This may increase pain during s*x, gynaecological examinations, or bowel movements.

2️⃣ Nervous system sensitisation

Long-term pain can change the way the nervous system processes sensations. As a result, pain may persist even after surgery.

3️⃣ Coexisting pain conditions

Myofascial pain, as well as bladder and bowel symptoms, can interact with one another and contribute to ongoing discomfort.

4️⃣ Ongoing or recurrent endometriosis

Persistent pain deserves further assessment, as it can have different causes and may not always arise from the same underlying mechanism.

💗 How can pelvic health physiotherapy help?

An individualised treatment plan may include:

✔️ Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function
✔️ Techniques to improve muscle relaxation and coordination
✔️ Appropriate hands-on manual therapy
✔️ A gradual return to everyday activities and exercise

✨ An important point: If your pelvic floor muscles are overactive or excessively tense, simply strengthening them may not be the right approach. Treatment should be tailored to your individual needs.

Research suggests that physiotherapy may help reduce endometriosis-associated pain. However, it does not replace gynaecological care. An individualised approach and collaboration between healthcare professionals are key.

💗 Pain after surgery doesn’t mean you have to accept it as your new normal.

It’s important to investigate the factors that may be contributing to your pain and find an approach that works for you.

💬 Did you know that pelvic floor muscle tension can contribute to endometriosis-related pain?

📌 Save this post for later and share it with someone who might find it helpful. 💌

Endometriosis

19/10/2026

💧 Do you leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise?

You’re not alone - and there’s a reason it happens! 👇

🧠 Let’s break it down.

Your bladder stores urine, while your urethra is the tube that carries urine out of your body.

Normally, the muscles and supporting tissues around your urethra help keep it closed and prevent urine from leaking.

🤧 So, what happens when you cough or sneeze?

These actions increase pressure inside your abdomen. If your pelvic floor muscles and urethral support cannot manage that pressure effectively, urine may leak.

This is called Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

✨ Here’s the good news!

Your pelvic floor muscles help support your bladder and urethra. Learning to contract and relax these muscles correctly can help improve bladder control. When performed correctly and consistently, pelvic floor muscle training can help reduce stress urinary incontinence.

Remember, it’s not just about squeezing - it’s about squeezing the RIGHT muscles, the RIGHT way!

📌 Save this post for later and share it with someone who needs to hear this!

💬 Have you ever wondered whether your pelvic floor could be the reason behind your leaks?

BladderHealth PelvicHealth PelvicFloorPhysio

06/10/2026

🤱 Breastfeeding is on the rise in Ireland - but support matters too. 💚🇮🇪

More than 6 in 10 babies in Ireland are now breastfed at birth - and breastfeeding rates are continuing to increase beyond those early days.

📈 Breastfeeding at birth:
63.8% in 2019 → 65.8% last year

🤱 Breastfeeding at 3 months:
35.4% in 2015 → 51.5% today

That’s an increase of 16.1% in the last decade - the highest rate recorded since official records began in 1988. 💚

But behind these numbers are real mums who can sometimes find breastfeeding incredibly challenging.

And problems like:

➡️ Cracked or painful ni***es
➡️ Blocked ducts
➡️ Mastitis
➡️ Breast pain and inflammation

can sometimes feel like a make-or-break moment in your breastfeeding journey.

This is where I can help. 👩‍⚕️✨

For blocked ducts and mastitis, I use therapeutic ultrasound to the breast, usually over a course of around 3 sessions spaced out every 24-48h. I may also combine this with lymphatic taping and gentle lymphatic drainage techniques.

For cracked ni***es, I use low-level light laser therapy, usually over around 3 sessions spaced out every 24-48h to support tissue healing and help with pain and inflammation.

✨ Treatment is quick
✨ Pain-free
✨ Does not interfere with feeding or pumping
✨ Improvements may be noticed after the first session

I know that when you’re in pain, you don’t want to wait weeks for help.

So I do my very best to offer appointments within 24 hours where possible.

If you’re struggling and need an URGENT appointment, please email me or send me a DM. 📩

You don't have to simply “push through” the pain. Getting the right support early can make such a difference. 🤍

And during National Breastfeeding Week (1–7 October), let’s remember that every breastfeeding journey looks different - and every step forward matters. 🌿

💌 Share this post with a new mum who might not know that this support is available.

BlockedDuct CrackedNipples LactationSupport NewMum PostpartumSupport IrishMums

21/09/2026

Not sure where your pelvic floor muscles are or how they move? 🤍

Try feeling their natural movement with your breath.

Your pelvic floor moves in rhythm with your breathing and the movement of your diaphragm.

✨ Try this:
Lie comfortably on your back with your knees bent. Place one hand gently on your perineum — the area of skin between the va**na and back passage.

🌿 Inhale into your lower ribs and notice your perineum gently pressing down towards your hand.

🌿 Exhale and notice your pelvic floor gently lifting up and away from your hand.

You don't need to force the movement or actively squeeze.

If you can feel this subtle movement, it gives you an idea of where your pelvic floor is and how it moves with your breath.

Awareness is the first step towards better pelvic floor control. 🤍

BodyAwareness Breathing DublinPhysio

17/09/2026

Faecal incontinence is making headlines - and I have to weigh in.

By now, you’ve probably seen the footage from the HYROX competition in China. A lot of people are talking about the safety concerns -and understandably so.

But let’s talk about why leakage can happen during intense exercise.

Your a**l sphincter is part of your pelvic floor. During activities like heavy lifting, running and jumping, pressure inside your abdomen increases significantly.

If your pelvic floor and a**l sphincter aren’t able to manage that pressure effectively - whether because of weakness, poor coordination, fatigue or other factors - leakage can occur.

And here’s the important part: faecal incontinence is not something you simply have to put up with.

Pelvic health physiotherapy can help identify what’s contributing to your symptoms and work with you to improve strength, coordination, pressure management and overall pelvic floor function.

So if this happens to you during exercise, don’t just accept it as “part of training.”

Questions? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments. 👇

PelvicHealthPhysio Physiotherapy HYROX ExerciseHealth DublinPhysio

27/07/2026

Menopause weight gain is driven by dropping estrogen levels, natural muscle loss with age, and a slower metabolism.

If you've noticed stubborn weight gain around your middle during perimenopause or menopause, despite eating the same and staying active, you're not imagining it. Hormonal changes make this a very real challenge.

Here's what's happening 👇

💛 Abdominal fat is pro-inflammatory. Fat tissue releases inflammatory compounds called adipokines, which can contribute to ongoing inflammation in the body.

💪 Your muscles are your secret weapon. Every time you contract your muscles, they release myokines-powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that help counteract inflammation and support a healthier metabolism.

Many women tell me: "I'm doing everything I used to do, but I'm still gaining weight."

The truth is, menopause changes how our bodies respond to exercise, nutrition and recovery. It's not about trying harder-it's about adapting your approach.

Here are 4 evidence-based strategies that can make a real difference:

✔️ Prioritise resistance training to build and maintain muscle.

✔️ Protect your sleep-poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain and inflammation.

✔️ Reduce or avoid alcohol, as it's harder for your body to metabolise during menopause.

✔️ Increase protein and fill your plate with plenty of vegetables to help you stay fuller for longer and reduce blood sugar spikes.

As a pelvic health physiotherapist, I encourage women to think beyond the scales. Strength training not only supports weight management-it also benefits your pelvic floor, bone health, bladder function, posture, confidence, and long-term mobility.

Menopause isn't about fighting your body-it's about learning how to support it differently. ❤️

'sHealth PelvicFloorPhysio Women'sHealthPhysio StrengthTrainingForWomen HealthyMenopause HormoneHealth Inflammation HealthyAgeing BoneHealth MuscleHealth Protein MidlifeHealth LifestyleMedicine MenopauseSupport IrelandPhysio

07/12/2025

✨ Great evening spent at the premiere of the magazine “Portraits of Emigration”! ✨

A magazine born from passion and the mission to share real stories of Poles living abroad.
Not just a magazine – a space where personal journeys become a story of community, identity, courage, and dreams far from home.

🇵🇱 It was lovely to reconnect with my Polish community.

🌍 Inspired by the First Symposium of Polish Women in Ireland (June 7, 2025), led by therapists Mariola Mastek & Barbara Ozge, founders of . Proudly supported by the Polish Embassy in Dublin

💖 I’m so happy that my brand, MNÁ Physiotherapy, found its place in this historic first issue of the magazine.

🌸 I would love for every woman to know more about pelvic health and how they can improve it with women’s health physiotherapy.

09/05/2025