Specialist women’s health physiotherapists improving quality of life for Rockingham women

Each day, Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) women’s health physiotherapists Claudia Zimmermann and Lara Stockil help patients with a wide range of post-natal, bladder and bowel conditions, prolapse and various pelvic pain conditions to improve their quality of life.

Tackling conditions that routinely affect women, the duo is proud to work in a field of physiotherapy that has seen massive inroads over the years and recognises the unique factors women face.  

As we get ready to celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March), this year’s priority – collaboration is key to advancing gender equality – goes hand in hand with the significant advances in diagnosis, treatment and management of pelvic health conditions and awareness of the role of women’s health physiotherapists.

“In the past, women often commented that their pain was dismissed as related to stress and to take Panadol, or that some incontinence was to be expected with ageing,” said Claudia.

“However, with greater recognition of the unique factors that affect women’s pelvic health, women are becoming more informed about women’s or pelvic health physiotherapy, and conditions that can be treated.”

They routinely see post-natal mothers on the wards and provide assessments of their abdominal muscles, bladder and bowel function, and follow them up as needed.

They also provide mothers with routine post-natal education regarding ergonomics of caring for their baby, discuss with the importance of pelvic floor muscle exercises, postural awareness and information on returning to exercise.

They treat women with conditions that have a huge impact on life and can sometimes be associated with shame such as incontinence, prolapse and sexual pain. 

“Many patients don’t seek help, but pelvic health physiotherapy is crucial in assessing and treating these conditions so that people can regain confidence and achieve their goals, no matter their age,” said Lara,

“I always feel a sense of sadness when an older patient says she wishes she’d been given the information and management sooner as there is so much we can help with.

“Pelvic health physiotherapy can literally change a woman’s life.”

Both Lara and Claudia find their careers extremely rewarding and have been working at RGH for 12 and 13 years respectfully.

“You know you are in the right field of work when you are happy to go to work and can’t imagine having any other career,” added Claudia.

 “Over my 13 years of working at Rockingham General Hospital, it has been very rewarding providing support to our patients and seeing improvements in their conditions and lifestyles.”

We couldn’t be prouder to have dedicated and passionate staff like Lara and Claudia helping the women in our community to regain their confidence and achieve their goals

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