Our Services
Prolapse & Incontinence Care
Prolapse and Incontinence: Understanding and Improving Pelvic Floor Health
At Rua, we understand that living with prolapse or incontinence can affect your confidence, daily activities, and overall quality of life. These conditions are common, but they’re also manageable and treatable with the right care and support. Addressing these issues early can lead to significant improvements in function, comfort, and overall well-being.
Prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, shift from their normal position due to weakened pelvic floor muscles or connective tissue. This may cause symptoms such as heaviness, a bulging sensation, or discomfort with certain activities. Incontinence, whether urinary or fecal, results from the pelvic floor’s inability to fully control the bladder or bowel, leading to leakage. These symptoms can vary in severity but often interfere with confidence and daily life.
Prolapse and incontinence often develop over time, influenced by factors such as childbirth, hormonal changes during menopause, chronic straining, or high-impact activities. Without intervention, these symptoms can worsen, affecting physical activity, sexual health, and even mental well-being. Seeking early care is essential to address the root causes and prevent further progression.
We begin with a thorough assessment, looking at pelvic floor strength, coordination, posture, breathing mechanics, and daily movement patterns. This helps us understand the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a plan that’s specific to your goals and lifestyle.
Treatment may include targeted pelvic floor exercises to restore strength and improve control, strategies to reduce strain on the pelvis, and adjustments to movements like lifting and bending to ease pressure on the pelvic organs. We also emphasize education, helping you understand your condition and teaching techniques to manage symptoms, such as proper breathing and posture to reduce intra-abdominal pressure.
For individuals with prolapse, we offer pessary fitting as an additional tool to support your recovery. A pessary is a small, removable device inserted into the vagina to provide support for the pelvic organs, reducing symptoms like heaviness or discomfort. Pessaries can be an excellent non-surgical option for managing prolapse, and we work with you to ensure the fit and function are right for your needs.
Prolapse and incontinence can feel overwhelming, but they are manageable and treatable. With the right support, you can regain control, improve function, and feel more confident in your body. At Rua, we’re here to provide compassionate, expert care to help you navigate this journey and achieve lasting pelvic health.
Pregnancy Pain & Birth Prep
Why Early Assessment and Birth Preparation Matter
At Rua, we focus on helping you navigate pregnancy with comfort, confidence, and care. Early assessment and tailored birth preparation are essential in addressing the changes your body experiences during pregnancy and ensuring you’re fully supported through labor and recovery.
Your body adapts dramatically during pregnancy, which can sometimes highlight or create areas of imbalance or strain. Early assessment helps us identify these changes—such as posture shifts, core weakness, pelvic alignment issues, or movement inefficiencies—before they lead to discomfort or dysfunction. Pelvic floor muscles may become weaker or overactive, contributing to incontinence or pelvic pain. Postural changes and muscle imbalances can cause back pain, round ligament pain, or pubic symphysis dysfunction. Altered movement patterns or gait can place unnecessary stress on your joints and muscles.
By addressing these factors early, we can create a plan that strengthens weak areas, improves mobility, and supports your body as it adapts. This not only helps reduce pain but also builds your physical resilience for the months ahead.
As pregnancy progresses, preparing your body for labor and delivery becomes a priority. Birth preparation helps minimize risks, such as prolonged labor or perineal tearing, while optimizing your body for a smoother delivery and recovery. Our focus is on balancing pelvic floor strength and relaxation, practicing effective labor positions, and maintaining hip and pelvic flexibility to aid fetal positioning and reduce complications.
We also guide you on how to use your breath and movement effectively during labor, helping you feel confident and prepared for the process ahead. Combining early assessment with birth preparation can reduce discomfort, prevent complications, and help you approach labor and recovery with knowledge and confidence. We’re here to provide expert, compassionate care every step of the way.
Pelvic Pain
Treating Pelvic Pain: A Sensitive and Compassionate Approach
At Rua, we understand that pelvic pain is a complex and multifaceted experience, often influenced by physical conditions, emotional factors, and life’s challenges. Whether your pain stems from childbirth trauma, surgical procedures, endometriosis, menstruation, or sexual trauma, it can feel overwhelming and disruptive. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care to help you address the pain and feel more at ease in your body.
Pelvic pain often involves dysfunction or tension in the pelvic floor muscles, which can develop in response to trauma, inflammation, or other underlying conditions. Childbirth or surgery may lead to scarring or changes in pelvic structures, while conditions like endometriosis and menstrual pain can cause ongoing inflammation and hypersensitivity. Emotional factors, such as stress or past trauma, can also contribute to tightness or guarding in the pelvic floor, amplifying discomfort.
Our care begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand the full picture of your pain. We evaluate the function of your pelvic floor muscles, posture, breathing patterns, and movement to identify areas of tension, weakness, or dysfunction. We also consider the impact of stress and emotional factors, as these can influence how pain is experienced and how the body responds to treatment. This thorough approach ensures we address both the physical and contributing elements of your pain.
Treatment is tailored to your individual needs and may include:
• Gentle techniques to release tension in the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles.
• Scar mobilization or soft tissue work to improve mobility and reduce sensitivity.
• Strategies to manage inflammation and pain associated with endometriosis or menstruation.
• Breathwork and relaxation exercises to ease tension and support pelvic floor function.
• Gradual reintroduction to movements or activities that have become uncomfortable or painful.
Pelvic pain can be challenging, but it’s not something you have to navigate alone. At Rua, we provide individualized, compassionate care designed to address your unique needs and help you move forward with greater comfort and confidence in your body.
