Effective Pilates…
Effective Pilates!
At Physio for All with over 25 years’ experience in antenatal and postnatal care and paediatrics, you can be assured of our caring and professional support during and after your pregnancy as well as for your new born baby or twins.
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Our comprehensive team of Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Masseurs, Pilates instructors, Hypnotherapist and First aid trainers work together with the passion to help you and your baby towards a healthy birth and recovery. We speak English, French, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese and German.
At Physio for All, we offer a comprehensive service designed to address the special needs for mothers and babies. We can help you and your child.
Babies in pushchairs are welcomed and we are happy to manage your treatment with your baby around.
Our Mother and Baby Clinic is based in Battersea Clapham.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to speak confidentially to one of our therapists, regarding specific queries or for information on our services.
Women’s health physiotherapists, with postgraduate training in Obstetrics, can help you to prevent and treat pregnancy related problems such as pelvic girdle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and abdominal separation as well as common pelvic floor problems such as incontinence, prolapse, perineal and sexual pain.
We will support you to prepare for childbirth and to recover your pelvic health and fitness after the birth of your baby or twins.
We offer one-to-one Physiotherapy treatment, Antenatal and Postnatal Classes and educational workshops.
We recommend a physiotherapy MOT postnatal check or MOT Pregnancy check to all women to assess pelvic floor muscles function and the tummy gap and for advice to optimise birth and recovery. Many pelvic health problems, which are rarely talked about, start during the pregnancy and post-partum period but the good news is that you can get expert help and treatment.
After your 6-weeks postnatal review with your doctor, we recommend a physiotherapy Postnatal MOT Check by one of our qualified women’s health physiotherapists before returning to abdominal exercises, high impact class and sports. This is suitable for women who just want a check-up with advice and preventive information. This is also for women who have symptoms of pain or other pelvic floor and abdominal problems and would like to discuss treatment options.
- During the 1 hour Postnatal Mot check-up, the physiotherapist will:
- Ask about your pregnancy, childbirth and other relevant medical history
- Perform a physical assessment to assess:
-the strength and function of your pelvic floor muscles and abdominals
-the tummy gap/abdominal separation or Rectus Abdominus Diastasis or DRAM
-your lumbo-pelvic posture, mobility and muscle imbalance
-the healing and mobility of scars: C-Section, perineal tears or episiotomy - Give you plenty of advice and a safe programme of exercise towards your needs and goals.
- Discuss treatment options as necessary including Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy (link to Therapies/Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy)
Physiotherapy can help you manage the physical and physiological changes that occur during your pregnancy, give you healthy advice on how to keep fit and treat problems or discomforts that can arise.
We recommend a physio PREGNANCY Check whether you just want a check-up, advice or have concerns and need a diagnosis.
- Common Pregnancy-related conditions treated at Physio for All
During your pregnancy we recommend a Pre-Natal MOT Check with a Women’s Health physio to guide you to exercise safely during pregnancy, help manage any back, groin or hip pain and help you prepare for birth. This is suitable for women with symptoms as above, or for women who want a check-up with advice and preventative information.
The 60min Pregnancy MOT check include:
- Posture, Back and Pelvic Your growing baby changes your centre of gravity which will affect your posture. If you experience with back and pelvic pain or other joints or muscular problems, we will discuss a treatment plan to help manage it.
- Pelvic Floor Muscle internal assessment. You will be taught how to connect and to correctly strengthen and relax your PFM to be leak-free and prevent other pelvic floor dysfunction.
- Abdominal Separation Check (Rectus abdominis diastasis) which is common with pregnancy and advice on abdo safe strengthening.
- Exercise and Fitness advice to stay active throughout your pregnancy with a safe programme of exercises and the modifications needed whether you are an athlete or just starting a routine.
- Provide information for labour including perineal massage and assisting in creating your birth plan.
- Discuss a plan of care and treatment options as necessary to feel well and healthy during your journey towards the birth of your baby.
Book an antenatal MOT check
Physiotherapy can help you manage the physical and physiological changes that occur during your pregnancy, give you healthy advice on how to keep fit and treat problems or discomforts that can arise.
We recommend a physio PREGNANCY Check whether you just want a check-up, advice or have concerns and need a diagnosis.
- Common Pregnancy-related conditions treated at Physio for All
- Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), sacro-Iliac Joint and hip pain and sciatica
- Back pain, thoracic pain, coccyx and rib pain
- Swollen hands or feet with manual lymphatic drainage
- Wrist and fingers pain and tingling (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and de Quervain’s)
- Weak or tight pelvic floor muscles
- Stress and Urge incontinence
Information sheet on how to manage Pelvic Girdle Pain (pdf document)
Our aim is to help you with some pains and physical issues and to get back your fitness level and favourite sports after childbirth so you can enjoy a healthy “you” during this special time with your baby or twins.
Physiotherapy can help you recover functional pelvic floor and abdominal muscles which are so important for your activities, posture, bladder and bowel control and sexual satisfaction.
- Common postnatal-related conditions treated at Physio for All
- Difficulty to feel and strengthen Abdominals and Pelvic floor muscles post birth
- Abdominal separation gap and bulging – Diastasis Rectus Abdominus Muscle (DRAM)
- Difficulty or not knowing when it is safe to return to running or high impact activities
- Postnatal back, neck, sacro-Iliac Joint and coccyx pain
- Caesarean C- scar, perineal tears and episiotomy which are painful and scarring
- Wrist and Hands pain and numbness – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & de Quervain
- Breastfeeding conditions as mastitis, blocked ducts and breast congestion
- Postnatal Bladder and Bowel problems as incontinence and frequence
- Prolapse or bulging sensation in the vagina
- Perineal pain, haemorrhoids and coccyx pain after delivery
- Painful sexual intercourse after childbirth or decreased sexual sensation
Urinary incontinence and other bladder and bowel problems are often first noticed during pregnancy and after the birth when the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles and nerves can be overstretched and damaged. It is a misconception to think that urinary leakage is normal after childbirth and that there is nothing you can do about it.
Also very embarrassing, the good news is Physiotherapy has proved to help women with Stress Urinary Incontinence with Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
• Information sheet on Pelvic floor exercise during your pregnancy and after child birth (Pdf)
• Information sheet on DRAM or Diastasis of the rectus abdominus muscle (pdf)
- Pregnancy Massage
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to reduce swollen legs
- Massage of a C-section scar
- Perineal massage to prepare the tissues for birth and prevent perineal tear
- Breast blocked ducts treated with lymphatic drainage and therapeutic ultrasound
- Baby massage
Classes are held by a physiotherapist trained in Clinical Pilates. They are safe, fun, interactive and informative.
Individual classes of 1:1 and 1:2 are held at the practice.
- Ante-Natal Classes: Get safely ready!
Be fit, active, exercise safely and get ready with the guidance of a physiotherapist.
The Pregnancy Exercise class focuses on:
- Posture, core strength, stability and flexibility throughout your pregnancy.
- Education and prevention of common problems such as Pelvic Girdle Pain, back pain and incontinence.
- Yoga stretches, Breathing, relaxation and yoga stretches.
- Education and Advice on pre-natal and post-natal issues
- Post-Natal classes: Get results!
Return to exercise safely with a help of a physiotherapist.
You can come along with your baby (under crawling age) who will have the opportunity to develop his new social skills and support your workout.
Get results with:
- Pelvic Floor, Abdominals and core stability retraining and strengthening.
- Specific exercise which protect your pelvic floor (Hypopressive gym)
- Management of Rectus Abdominus Diastasis (gap between your vertical abdominals).
- Yoga stretching and postural work to prevent those aches and pains related to new mums and babies’ daily tasks.
- Advice on fitness and healthy recovery.
- Advice on tummy gap, breastfeeding difficulties, incontinence, scarring of the C-section and perineal tear, back pain.
Are you concerned with your baby’s development? Our paediatric physiotherapists can help with diagnosis, treatment and advice to take home. We recommend our Physio MOT Baby Check, a comprehensive orthopaedic and developmental assessment to ensure any issues are treated early.
We offer a comprehensive Children Physiotherapy service.
- Some reasons to see a Paediatric Physiotherapist
- Flat head or Plagiocephaly
- Torticollis – Does your baby hold and turns his head more to one side?
- Feet malformations and deformations such as postural talipes, metatarsus varus…
- Does your baby cry during play time on his tummy or on his side? Tummy time is a very important stage for the development of your baby.
- Is your baby moving one arm or leg less compared to the other?
- Is your baby arching strongly his back or neck or clenching his hands and toes?
- Do you need advice on how to promote your baby’s development through positioning and play?
Osteopathy and Craniosacral therapy are safe and gentle treatments suitable during pregnancy, after child birth and for new born and babies.
- Pregnancy and postnatal Osteopathy
Osteopathy and Cranio-sacral therapy will help relieve the stresses and strains during the different phases of pregnancy and after birth. By realigning the pelvis and spine, it helps to make more space for the growing baby and optimise foetal positioning.
The most common complaints treated by osteopathy during the child-bearing year are back, pelvic and leg pain, headaches, constipation and general tension. The calming effect of cranial osteopathy will help you to connect with your baby and approach birth with serenity. Osteopathy promotes the inner self-healing process after a normal or traumatic birth or a caesarean.
- Osteopathy and Craniosacral therapy for babies
Is your baby unsettled, colicky, feeding with difficulty or constipated?
Cranial Osteopathy is a subtle and safe osteopathic treatment which can help release stresses and tensions throughout the body. It will assist your new born baby who has experienced tensions and trauma in utero, during labour or Caesarean.
Common baby conditions treated by osteopathy:
- colic, constipation, windy and reflux
- breastfeeding and latching difficulties
- Flat head shape (plagiocephaly) and neck tightness (torticollis)
Our osteopaths have a specific training in paediatrics.
Don’t just wish for a great birth – prepare for it! Mothers who have taken hypnobirthing classes have shorter labours, less need for painkillers and a positive birth experience, irrespective of the type of birth they had.
Group courses are run on the last Sunday of each month. For future dates and to book visit www.betterbirthstories.com
Clapham branch of National Child Trust NCT offers first Aid workshops for parents at Physio for All once a month on Saturday afternoons. The workshop aims to give you the skills and confidence to know what to do in an emergency. They are held by Emma Hammett of First Aid for Life. To book a place, please contact NCT Clapham
We offer specialist informative and proactive workshops and seminars on varied topics such as:
- Your Pelvic floor: what, when and how?
- Baby development from birth to sitting and from sitting to walking
- Mummy tips to take care of your back
- Baby massage
- Magic abdominals but safe to your pelvic floor
We will provide you with information as well as advice and tips you can apply back home.
We work closely with London consultants Obstetricians and Gynaecologists as well as with GPs, midwives and lactation advisors.
We recommend local support organisations as NCT Clapham, Wandsworth twins clubs
We also work with Pilates, yoga and fitness trainers in South West London who are specialised in pregnancy and postnatal fitness.
