After giving birth, over 33% of women will suffer from urinary incontinence. Its common, but shouldn't be accepted as 'normal'. It's also very treatable – the success rate is over 80% with correct pelvic floor muscle exercises supervised by a specialist physiotherapist in pelvic health.

The secret is doing the 'correct' pelvic floor exercises. Between 40 – 50% of people are unknowingly doing their exercises incorrectly. To benefit from doing them, the exercises need to be customised for your current strength level and progressed steadily to reach your goals, whether it's laughing, sneezing, walking, running or returning to the gym.

Did you know that over 50% of women over the age of menopause suffer from prolapse? And that some women develop prolapses immediately after giving birth. A prolapse is when either your bladder, bowel or uterus (or all of them at once) descend or bulge into your vagina. This feeling of heaviness and dragging can be improved with pelvic health physiotherapy which usually involves pelvic floor exercises, life style modifications (usually short term if you are progressing well), and the possible use of vaginal pessaries - a internal silicone 'support system' for the vagina.

And for men, pelvic floor exercises done correctly prior to and after prostatectomy reduces their incontinence considerably compared to those who don't do them – we are talking reducing leaking from 12 months down to under 3 months – a significant reduction. Erectile function can be improved in over 75% of men having issues, whether its post op or just related to being over 40!

What will you gain?

What would your life be like if you didn't need to buy expensive pads any longer? Or you didn't have to hide your wet pants while out exercising? Or if you didn't have to avoid sexual relations with your partner due to pain? All these little and not so little things add to your stress and reduce your confidence. Regaining control over your life is priceless. Knowledge is power. Being able to understand your condition, what treatment is available, and how likely you are to be successful is all vital for your physical and mental well-being.

Why you should choose Melissa?

Before I graduated as a physiotherapist in 1990, I was already interested in pelvic health. I was lucky in my student placements to have a wide exposure to various health facilities, one of which was a large maternity hospital. After qualifying, I worked in both hospitals and private practice in New Zealand and Canada, gaining experience in multiple areas of practice. But, I always came back to my core passion: helping people cope with pelvic health problems.

I've spent a lot of time, effort, and money to expand my knowledge and skill base and have gained post-graduate qualifications in the following areas: PhD from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute of the University of Auckland; Research Masters from the University of Melbourne; Diploma in Advanced Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy from Canada; Post Graduate Certificate in Acupuncture from the University of Otago; Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor from the University of Melbourne.

After completing my PhD, I have returned to combining treating patients with running training courses for health professionals. These pelvic health courses enable me to help train the next generation of pelvic floor professionals to ensure more skilled clinicians are available to treat people who need help.

Along with my clinical caseload and training courses, I also volunteer nationally and internationally to help improve the knowledge, communication, and networks of physiotherapists in the pelvic health field. I'm the current President for the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health, a sub-group of World Physiotherapy. I am also an active member of the special interest group Pelvic, Women's and Men's Health, a sub-group of Physiotherapy New Zealand.

Why I do this

I like helping people. It's one of my core values. I've helped a woman who hadn't been able to have sexual relations with her husband for 7 years regain the ability to have sex and enjoy it. I've helped men regain their erectile function without having to use medication. I've helped women feel confident that they can leave the house before 2pm as they are no longer leaking bowel contents. I've taught women the skills to be able to return to running after suffering prolapses and urinary incontinence issues. I've helped men stop leaking after prostate surgery. I've helped children learn how to poop correctly so they are no longer constipated – this might seem a small thing, however if constipation is not addressed in childhood, as adults they will have significant issues.

All of these issues were treatable. All were able to be changed for the better.

With my knowledge and skills, I know I can help make a huge positive difference in people's lives. Often pelvic floor issues aren't discussed. It's a taboo subject, hidden, embarrassing, shaming. We need to change that. It's one of my long-term goals: to make pelvic health a 'normal' discussion topic among friends, family, and medical professionals. Why should something that affects so many people, both women and men, be such an awkward subject?

Let's make a change for the better. We need more people knowing that they don't have to suffer in silence. They can find help and it will make a positive difference in their lives.

Should you do something about your pelvic health?

The short answer is: YES!

Ring or email me to make an appointment. You don't need to see your GP or consultant; I can see you directly. You can contact me here.

Or if you prefer, ask your medical professional to refer you. I work with GP's, specialists, physiotherapists, continence nurses, fitness trainers, osteopaths, etc.