Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy network offers the public a raft of free booklets

Pregnant women should refer themselves to an experienced physiotherapist if they experience pain during or after doing Pilates exercises, according to the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) professional network.

The advice is contained in a booklet titled Pilates in Women’s Health Physiotherapy – one in a series aimed at members of the public tackling key health topics that can be downloaded free of charge from the POGP’s website. Visit: https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/

Warning signs

Other warning signs that pregnant women should look out for – and seek help from a specialist physiotherapist if they occur – include pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and being diagnosed with diastasis rectus abdominis.

It is important to find a physio with experience in treating women with pelvic and pelvic floor muscle problems, the booklet advises readers. ‘She will be able to assess you and offer specific treatments/alternatives that are suitable for your needs,’ the booklet notes.

The Pilates booklet contains diagrams and instructions for 17 exercises, to be completed in a variety of positions: standing, lying and on hands and knees. Among other pieces of advice, pregnant women are warned: ‘As with all exercise regimes, do not exercise when you feel unwell or very tired.’

Exercise benefits

The benefits of following a Pilates regime are manifold, readers are told: ‘Pilates-based exercises in women’s health encourage the pelvic floor muscles to work with the deep tummy muscles to build up the strength of your trunk, encourages you to move well and be active with confidence.

‘Exercise has been shown to lower the chance of depression and improves the feeling of wellbeing.’

Two other booklets released by the POGP in recent weeks are titled The Pelvic Floor Muscles - A guide for women who are having or have had pelvic radiotherapy, and Exercise and Advice after the loss of your baby.

For the first time, the network has launched a series of booklets, written by trans/non-binary people working alongside POGP members.The titles are as follows

Pelvic floor muscle exercises and advice - A guide for trans men, trans masculine and non-binary people (who were assigned female at birth)

Pelvic floor muscle exercises and advice - A guide for trans women, trans feminine and non-binary people (who were assigned male at birth)

Fit following surgery - Advice for trans men, trans masculine and non-binary people following hysterectomy

The resources are ideal for non-pelvic health physios working with patients who have pelvic floor issues affecting bladder and bowel in men and women [Kate Lough, POGP]

 Physiotherapists wishing to obtain sets of professionally printed versions of the booklets can submit orders (which incur a modest charge) via the network’s website.