Pelvic health physiotherapy is available to people with pelvic health issues such as:
- urgency
- frequency
- stress incontinence
- urge incontinence
- leakage of urine
- constipation
- faecal incontinence
- post prostatectomy complications
- sexual dysfunction including pain with intercourse
- persistent pelvic pain
- pelvic trauma
- pelvic organ prolapse
- prolapse repair.
About this service
We offer both group workshops and one on one appointments with a physiotherapist.
Pelvic Floor Workshops
These are group workshops that help you self-manage continence and pelvic floor issues. These issues may include:
- urgency/urge incontinence
- frequency
- stress incontinence
- pelvic organ prolapse.
We will teach you strategies for training your pelvic floor muscle and bladder.
These workshops are a great first step to helping yourself with targeted exercises and behaviour change.
To book a place, please contact Community Health Intake on 5124 9977.
Individual appointments
One on one appointments are available for all eligible people. These appointments often include a full physical examination and assessment. This helps our physiotherapists to develop a tailored treatment plan for you.
You will get more out of your appointment if you come prepared. If you are bringing a child (aged 3 or over) please read our information on Paediatric incontinence (PDF, 1040.24 KB) before attending your appointment. If you are an adult male please read this information before attending your appointment.
Who we care for
You can use our service if you live in the ACT and are not seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist from elsewhere.
Our services are free if you have a Medicare Card or an Asylum Seeker Card.
If you have a compensation claim, or private health insurance, you should seek treatment from a private specialist physiotherapist. You can find them by searching online at Continence Foundation Service directory.
If you hold a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) gold card, you can see a private specialist physiotherapist. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs can give you more details.
If you have been approved for an NDIS package and your referral relates to your NDIS claim, you need to source a private specialist physiotherapist from this funding.
How to access this service
You, your carer or your health professional can refer you to our service.
To book an appointment, call Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977.
If you are unable to attend your appointment please cancel or reschedule your appointment by calling Central Health Intake or complete an online form.
If you are 65 years and over or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 50 years and over, please ask for a referral through the My Aged Care Contact Centre website or on 1800 200 422.
What to expect
When you call to book, we’ll ask a few questions to find out how urgently you need an appointment.
We’ll send you a letter or SMS (if you agree) with your appointment details.
We offer physiotherapy appointments:
- at Belconnen Community Health Centre
- by video conference (Telehealth)
- by telephone.
Your physiotherapist will help you to identify your goals and then help you to work toward these goals through:
- a tailored exercise program to do at home
- advice, education, and self-management skills
- pain management skills
- muscle re-education to improve your muscle strength and pelvic organ control.
We find that most conditions are successfully managed in a maximum of 4 to 6 appointments. The physiotherapist will talk with you about how often you should see them and what you need to focus on to reach your goals.
We may use a range of different treatments to help you. This may include individual or group sessions. Although your physiotherapist may choose to use some hands-on treatment, this is a small part of physiotherapy treatment. You need to follow advice and do the exercises to see long-term benefit.
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- Any letters or correspondence from your general practitioner
- Medicines you need to take while you are here
- Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
Where we’re located
Belconnen Community Health Centre
Resources
There are several community group support services such as:
The Continence Foundation of Australia
