Women's health physiotherapy is a specialist area of physiotherapy, in which practitioners have specific knowledge and training in relation to the pelvic floor and the pelvis, this includes Obstetric (pregnancy) and gynaecological problems. Conditions include pregnancy related pain, post-natal tears, diastasis rectus, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, vaginismus and chronic pelvic pain. Many ladies notice one or more of these issues after having a baby but, due to the embarrassment, start avoiding activities rather than seeking advice and treatment.

As many as 1 in 3 women will experience a women's health problem within their lifetime. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends physiotherapy as conservative management for at least 3 months before other interventions should be considered.

If you are experiencing any of the following you may benefit from an assessment:

• Do you go to the toilet more than 6-8 times a day?
• When you do go, do you only pass small amounts of urine?
• Do you notice your underwear is wet after coughing/sneezing/exercise?
• Do you get up more than one time in the night for the toilet?
• Do you feel like you have not fully emptied your bladder after going to the toilet?
• Do you find going to the toilet difficult and/or painful?
• Have you noticed a feeling of heavyness or dragging in your pelvis?
• Have you had a baby and are unsure of when or how to return to exercise?
• Did you have a difficult delivery which lead to perineal trauma?
• Have you had pelvic surgery and do you need further advice?

Delinda qualified with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy in 2007. Having completed her rotations she decided to specialise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and has undertaken the specialist training to become a Women's Health Physiotherapist. She is a member of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP), The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), The Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Society (POGP) and the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).

As a lumbo-pelvic specialist Delinda treats ladies for a variety of issues with a special interest in post-natal recovery and recovery from Diastasis Rectus (abdominal muscle separation). A certified Pilates instructor through the APPI (Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute), Delinda utilises Pilates within her treatment programmes as well as teaching stand alone classes for the general population and a specific baby friendly post-natal class. She prides herself on providing a holistic and individualised approach to all patients through a variety of treatment options, including manual therapy, western acupuncture, dry needling, kinesiology taping, myofascial and soft tissues release, pilates and general conditioning exercise.