Womens Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Rangiora & North Canterbury
Physiotherapy
Active Health offers individualised physiotherapy sessions to ease symptoms related to various pelvic health issues for both women and men.
There is a large body of evidence to support the use of physiotherapy for conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, bladder or bowel dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction. These methods may include manual therapy to the pelvic, back, hip and pelvic floor muscles and joints, strengthening of related areas both locally and in functional patterns, education for bladder and bowel habits and lifestyle factors, release of scar tissue and connective tissue, functional dry needling and more. In addition, we are excited to now offer a pessary fitting service designed to address pelvic organ prolapse and some types of urinary incontinence.
Multiple studies have demonstrated pelvic floor muscle involvement in pelvic pain conditions such as endometriosis, painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis), vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain, and a corresponding reduction in symptoms with pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment. Many health professionals are therefore recognizing this connection and including pelvic floor physiotherapy as a vital part of their patient’s medical care. Our pelvic health physiotherapists have both musculoskeletal training and pelvic floor training, which is essential when treating the complexities of pelvic pain.
Physiotherapy during pregnancy and following childbirth is designed to both support your body as it changes during pregnancy, and to assist with recovery. Through exercise you can optimise muscular support during all of the trimesters, learn how to connect with your pelvic floor to aid with labour, and rehabilitate your floor and core after delivery. Physiotherapy can also address various musculoskeletal or pelvic floor concerns that may occur before or after your baby is born. It is highly recommended to have a pelvic floor check around 6 weeks following delivery to screen for any potential injuries, and to help to guide exercise and return to sports and fitness.
Pelvic Health Conditions Treated with Physiotherapy
- Chronic Low Back Pain
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Pregnancy related Back or Pelvic Pain
- Coccydynia/tailbone pain
- Constipation
- Difficulty Urinating or Having a Bowel Movement
- Endometriosis
- Incontinence
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Levator Ani Syndrome
- Overactive Bladder
- Pelvic Cancers including prostate, gynaecologic and colorectal cancers
- Abdominal pain from surgeries, scarring or cancer treatments
- Overactive or Tight Pelvic Floor Muscles
- Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia), and/or pain with tampon use or gynecologic exams
- Diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles)
- Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Prostatitis
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Underactive or Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles
- Vaginismus
- Vestibulitis
- Vulvodynia
Need an ACC Appointment?
ACC Physio
Our physiotherapiasts are all qualified & registered. We can offer you ACC appointments subsidised via ACC if your injuries meet the criteria outlined by ACC.
For both ACC and non-ACC related injuries, our initial appoitnment times are are 40 minutes. All subsequent follow-up sessions are 20 minutes.
Rangiora Fitness Centre
MainPower Stadium
Meet Our Team
Ashley Briscoe
Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
About Me
Ashley graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and started her working career in musculoskeletal and pelvic health physiotherapy in Auckland before returning to her hometown of Christchurch. Ashley has extensive experience working with musculoskeletal injuries and sports teams, offering skilled care in both acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries. Advanced study in both female and male pelvic health physiotherapy allows Ashley to combine her musculoskeletal and pelvic health skills to provide a deep understanding of pelvic injuries and conditions. For this reason, she particularly enjoys working with complex lower back, pelvic, glute, and hip pain.
In Auckland, Ashley worked with women soon after delivery at Birthcare, and has a passion for educating and guiding women on postpartum recovery and safe return to exercise. She has received training in the fitting of pessaries and finds this a valuable option when working with women with pelvic organ prolapse. Having undergone international training in Male Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, Ashley is excited to be able to offer care of bladder and bowel symptoms, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction to both women and men.
Ashley has also completed training to become a certified cancer rehabilitation physiotherapist through the Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation. She works closely with those affected by cancer to prepare for treatment, to optimise movement and activity during treatment, and then recover optimally once medical treatments are completed.
Ashley believes in individualised rehabilitation and goal setting to empower and motivate her clients to return to doing the things they enjoy. In addition to attending multiple educational courses on pelvic health, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and cancer rehabilitation, Ashley has completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Pain Management and a Diploma in Health Science focused on Continence. This year she will focus on working towards her master’s degree, specialising in Pelvic Pain.
When she’s not at work or studying, Ashley enjoys walking with her dogs, reading, and drinking coffee.
Susan Larson
Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
About Me
Susan has been a physiotherapist for over 30 years. She started her career in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and developed valuable manual therapy skills before pursuing her special interest in pelvic health. Having completed extensive training in Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health physiotherapy in Australia, America, and New Zealand, Susan is able to offer a unique and comprehensive physiotherapy approach to pelvic health issues for both women and men.
Susan also has a passion for cancer rehabilitation and works with patients before, during, and after medical cancer treatments. She enjoys helping those affected by cancer return to the things they love by successfully treating side effects like pain, fatigue, weakness, and pelvic health symptoms that may be holding them back. Working alongside the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centre in Colorado she had the honour of learning from highly regarded clinicians and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her team at Active Health. A special area of interest for Susan is working with women and men affected by pelvic cancers.
Priding herself on continued development of knowledge, Susan’s advanced qualifications include a Certificate of Advanced Study in Physical Therapy (Orthopaedics) and a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy (Boston, USA), a Post Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health and Continence (Curtin University, Perth), Functional Dry Needling Certification (Colorado, USA), Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Certification (NZ), and numerous continuing education courses. Most recently Susan travelled to Brisbane with her colleagues Jo and Ashley to undergo advanced training in Male Pelvic Health Physiotherapy.
Professional recognitions include 2022 Canterbury Physiotherapist of the Year (PNZ) and 2024 Finalist in the Oncology Rehabilitation Excellence Awards (Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation).
Susan has returned to her hometown of Christchurch with her husband Keith, and is delighted to bring her unique skills and treatments to Active Health. Susan and Keith enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle, including appreciation of good food and wine, travel, and many outdoor activities including hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing, as well as going on fun adventures with their border collie, Luca.
Make an appointment today
Find a time that suits you and book an appointment online using our booking system. If you are not sure who to see, give us a call and we can help find the best clinician for you.