Laura Forker
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Our Women’s Health Physiotherapist welcomes all women who want to feel and be better during all life stages.
Steps to get started
Our team will support you through every stage, from your first enquiry to your recovery.
If you’re using health insurance
Check with your provider to see what’s covered. We’re happy to help with any paperwork and can work directly with many insurance companies to make the process smoother for you.
If you’re paying for treatment yourself
We’ll give you clear information about costs and help you plan your care. You’ll know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees.
Costs
Service costs vary depending on individual needs, but our team is here to guide you. Get in touch to confirm fees and receive a clear, personalised breakdown before making any appointments.
Book an Appointment
You can book an appointment online, call our friendly team, or ask your GP for a referral.
We’re here to answer your questions, talk you through your options, and help you feel confident about your treatment.
Our Locations
Each site is equipped with modern facilities and experienced teams who will look after you throughout your treatment and recovery.
Our hospitals are easy to reach and offer a calm, comfortable environment to support your care. Wherever you decide to go, you’ll receive the same high standard of personalised treatment.
Meet Our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists
Our pelvic health physiotherapists have years of experience. From your first consultation through to your recovery, you’ll be under the care of experts who are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible results.
What are the signs of a weak pelvic floor?
A weakness of the pelvic floor muscles may contribute to various problems including:
- Stress urinary incontinence – The accidental leaking of urine due to strain or physical exertion, including when you exercise, laugh, cough or sneeze.
- Urge urinary incontinence – The accidental leaking of urine associated with a sudden or constant need to pass urine. In men, this may be felt as a bulge in the rectum or a feeling of needing to use their bowels but not actually needing to go or difficulty in emptying the bladder or bowel. In women, this may be felt as a bulge in the vagina or a feeling of pain in your pelvic area with heaviness, discomfort, pulling, dragging or dropping sensation.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse – The bulging of the bladder or bowel, or womb into the vagina or, in more severe cases, out of the vaginal entrance.
- Diminished sexual sensation or feeling of vaginal looseness and painful sexual intercourse.
- Loss of control or the accidentally losing control of your bladder or bowel.
- Spinal & Pelvic Pain – Back / pelvic pain is a very common symptom that can arise for many reasons throughout the life span. However, nearly half of all pregnant women will experience back and /or pelvic pain during pregnancy and about 25% of these women will continue to experience pain in the fourth trimester and beyond.
- Diastasis Recti Abdominus / DRA (abdominal muscle separation / doming) – DRA is classified as thinning and widening of the linea alba which is a collagen strip down the midline abdominal wall. 100% of pregnant women will experience this at least by the third trimester and approximately 2/3 of women will recover spontaneously within 6-8 weeks post birth. For those that continue to notice gapping between the muscles, doming / coning of the midline, or generally feel their ‘core’ weak, should access specific care to improve physical function and aesthetics of their abdomen.
What causes weakness in the pelvic floor muscles?
Problems can arise in your pelvic floor health when the muscles are stretched, weakened or too tight.
Some people have weak pelvic floor muscles from an early age, whilst certain life events such as pregnancy, childbirth or menopause, can lead to issues within pelvic health.
Pelvic floor muscle fitness is affected by several things, including:
- Underuse – As with all muscles, the pelvic floor muscles need exercise to work well. It is, therefore, important to regularly exercise the pelvic floor muscles all through life, for both men and women and not just after having children.
- Overuse – Heavy lifting and straining during exercise. Some people have pelvic floor muscles that are too tight and cannot relax. This can be made worse by doing squeezing exercises and overworking the muscles without learning how to relax.
- Pregnancy and childbirth can cause damage to the muscles.
- Age-related decrease in muscle tone.
- Long term straining to empty the bowels when constipated or due to a chronic cough or sneezing, including when linked to asthma, smoking or hay fever can lead to damage to the pelvic floor muscles.
- Being overweight – Obesity or having a body mass index over 25.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy with Laura Forker
Women can choose to attend for in person, online or a hybrid combination of appointments. The approach is flexible and will best support the needs and goals of each patient.
Alongside offering 1-1 care packages, online physio led pregnancy and postnatal Pilates programmes are also available, which focus on core, body and pelvic floor connection, restoration and strength.
The online small group coaching programme ‘Birth to Better’ is an opportunity to be supported and guided with early postnatal recovery from as early as one week after delivery and from the comfort of home.
What happens during a pelvic health assessment and what treatments are offered?
Medical History
Our pelvic health physiotherapist will discuss medical history, bladder and bowel habits, spinal health, physical activity levels and anything that is of concern to the patient. Discussion around desired outcomes is important at this stage.
Physical Assessment
A whole body musculoskeletal and pelvic health assessment is carried based on the initial discussion. The physiotherapist will screen posture, overall movement and how your body responds to pressured tasks such as coughing, sit ups and jogging on the spot.
An internal pelvic floor examination is carried out with consent only. You will be lying comfortably on your back, discreetly covered by a sheet, and with a gloved lubricated finger, the physiotherapist will digitally assess the pelvic floor to determine muscle tone, strength, pain / sensitivity and pelvic organ descent.
An individualised rehabilitation plan is devised and mutually agreed upon based on the entire assessment and if appropriate, will include:
- education, tips and advice about pelvic health
- manual therapy
- pelvic floor exercises
- breath work
- perineal stretching
- perineal & / or c section massage
- body mobility
- strengthening and conditioning routines.
Approximate progress timelines will be discussed with follow up sessions scheduled accordingly.
Where will my appointment take place?
Laura Forker holds clinics within the Kingsbridge Maypole Clinic, Holywood
Mummy MOT with Sarah Graham
The Mummy MOT is a detailed assessment focusing on posture, core strength and function.
Mummy MOT is a comprehensive postnatal assessment for mums which is suitable after 6 weeks post vaginal delivery or 8 weeks following c section.
It aims to address any issues you may have including bladder leakage, symptoms of prolapse and diastasis rectus abdominus.
The Mummy MOT should empower you to safely get back to any activities you would like to and help you to feel confident in your body.
What happens during a pelvic health assessment and what treatments are offered?
The assessment includes:
- a pelvic floor internal assessment if indicated
- a thorough check of your abdominal muscles for diastasis and strength, checking any scars including c section/episiotomy scars
- giving advice on scar massage
If there are any areas of weakness which need addressed, we provide a rehabilitation plan and may recommend further treatment to enable you to return to your normal activities as well as sports and running.
Initial appointments last 1 hour. Following the appointment, the practitioner will decide if you require further input and will schedule you in accordingly for a follow-up. Follow up appointment are 45 minutes
Where will my appointment take place?
Sarah Graham holds clinics within the Women’s Health Clinic, Belfast
Pelvic Floor FAQ’s
What is the function of the pelvic floor muscles?
– supports the bladder and bowel in men, and the bladder, bowel and uterus in women.
– works with your stomach, back muscles and diaphragm to control the pressure inside your abdomen to deal with the downward pressure when you lift or strain, such as during exercise.
– contracts when you cough, sneeze or strain, helping to prevent the involuntary leakage of urine.
supports the organs in your abdomen especially when you are standing.
– protects the pelvic organs from external damage.
– holds the pelvic organs, like the bladder in the correct position.
– controls the passing of urine, gas and bowel motions.
– play a role in sexual function during intercourse.
For the pelvic floor muscles to carry out their function well, they need to be fit and adequately toned just like any other muscle in the body.
What are the benefits of this treatment?
Pelvic health, core and body training can significantly improve quality of life. Improving pelvic floor function can reduce and alleviate many symptoms such as back pain, urinary urgency / leakage, constipation and diastasis recti. Such symptoms can significantly impact body image and relationships, ability to partake in normal life activities and exercise. Therefore, physical and mental wellbeing will be markedly elevated with treatment to overcome personal symptoms.
How long does it take to recover?
Each woman’s presentation and recovery is unique to her, and it is impossible to predict how many sessions are required; she is expected to be consistent as possible with a home treatment plan to support 1-1 sessions, which are typically 3-6 weeks apart.
Is a referral required?
A referral is not required, however any information you do have prior to your appointment (if you have been to see your GP / had a pelvic floor assessment etc) will be discussed at your initial consultation.