If you’re looking for a rewarding physiotherapy career that encompasses client groups right across the lifespan then pelvic health physio is calling you!
As you may know, Pelvic Health Physios work with Women, Men and Children to provide education and treatment of conditions of the bladder, bowel or pelvic floor such as urinary incontinence, constipation or pelvic organ prolapse.
Pelvic Health Physios often also specialise in the management of pregnancy related musculoskeletal conditions such as pelvic girdle pain.
We work closely with a multidisciplinary team of GP’s, Gynaecologists, Obstetricians, Urologists, Urogynaecologists, Pain Specialists, Psychologists and Sexual Health Practitioners.
Pelvic health physios have the privilege of working with our clients to help them with problems that may be extremely embarrassing or uncomfortable to live with. Being able to help clients overcome debilitating and socially isolating symptoms like bladder or bowel incontinence is life changing for the patient and us as their therapist.
Pelvic Health physios have usually undergone extra training following graduation with a physiotherapy degree in order to be able to treat the scope of conditions required.
There are a number of pathways that you may follow to pursue a career in Pelvic Health Physio.
Here are some of our tips to get you started:
Attend relevant PDs
There are formal education pathways in Pelvic Health via both Universities and the APA. There are also private education providers who offer short courses in Pregnancy and Pelvic Health. You might build your knowledge by taking some weekend courses and gaining clinical practice experience prior to pursuing a higher degree. In this case you will start your post-graduate education with a broad knowledge base enabling you to take the most away from your formal study. Higher degrees often require clinical experience and some relevant PD as prerequisites too.
2. Find a mentor
If you don’t have access to a pelvic health mentor at your workplace, seek out someone who can give you support to develop your pelvic health career. Our sister business Pregnancy and Pelvic Physio Mentor (PPPM) offer a comprehensive mentoring program for Physios working in private practice/ hospitals/ continence clinics to help them bridge the gap from PD course to confident clinicians. For more details go to www.pelvicphysiomentor.com.au
3. Join Special Interest Groups (SIG).
If you are a newly graduated physio looking to get started in Pelvic Health, check out your local area for special interest groups in the profession. You might find a local SIG linked to the APA (Australian Physio Association), CFA (Continence Foundation of Australia) or other organisations such as the UGSA (Urogynae Association of Australia). Hop on to Facebook and join ‘Pelvic Health Physiotherapy’ groups. Here you will find clinical cases and questions discussed, links to relevant PD courses and lectures and start to find a network of other professionals with the same clinical interest as you.
4. Get work experience
If you want to work in private practice, find a clinic that has a pelvic health physio for you to shadow and learn from. Ask to take some pregnancy musculoskeletal clients onto your caseload as a way to start gaining experience with this population.
If you’re starting off in the public system, look for a graduate or entry level position that has rotation in Women’s Health. Often these rotations are sought after so mention to your Manager/Supervisor ASAP that you are interested in the area and ensure you have your preferences aligned to complete any pre-requisite rotations.
You might start to build your experience by offering to take pregnancy exercise classes at night or group pilates sessions on weekends at a specialty pregnancy or pelvic health clinic. Follow any speciality pregnancy and pelvic health clinics on Instagram to keep an eye out for learning opportunities or jobs on offer!
Good luck pursuing your career goals! If Pelvic Health is for you we are a generous and supportive community of Physios who love to share our knowledge and experience and you will love being a part of it! Please get in contact with us if you have any further questions