Paediatric Continence and Pelvic Health

Bladder and bowel issues can be challenging for both children / adolescents and their parents / caregivers. Most children will gain bladder and bowel control by 4 to 5 years of age. If your child / adolescent OF ANY AGE is experiencing any bladder, bowel or pelvic health concerns we encourage you to reach out for support. We understand these issues can be embarrassing and distressing but if they are not addressed early it can continue to affect social development and emotional wellbeing.

​

Our Continence and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist is here to help children, adolescents and their families with the following concerns:

​

• Bedwetting

• Daytime wetting accidents

• Urinary urgency and/or frequency

• Constipation 

• Bowel accidents/soiling

• Stool withholding/toilet refusal 

• Toilet training struggles 

• Pelvic pain (such as that associated with endometriosis)

 

What to expect

​

Initial Telehealth Consultation

​

• A 45-minute initial video/telehealth appointment allows our pelvic health physiotherapist to gain a detailed history of the child/adolescent’s concern and the treatment goals 

• For younger children, your child does not need to be in attendance for the initial telehealth consultation but we do encourage older children to be present and participate in questioning

​

In-clinic Follow Ups 

​

• A 30 or 45 minute in-clinic follow up appointment will be recommended by our pelvic health physiotherapist depending on the condition and complexity 

• This will involve a non-invasive assessment conducted in a private physiotherapy room

• Please note: internal assessments are not conducted on children 

• We do require a parent or guardian over the age of 18 years to be present for any clients under the age of 16

• Assessment may include (with the consent of the child/adolescent and their parent/guardian);

• Observation of posture, balance, coordination and mobility 

• Hands on assessment (including of the abdomen, external pelvis, lower back, ribcage and breathing) 

• Real time ultrasound on the abdomen (to visualise the bladder, rectum and assess pelvic floor contraction and relaxation)

• Bladder and bowel diaries 

• Symptom questionnaires

• An individualised treatment program will be prepared for your child/adolescent taking into account clinical findings and current evidence-based practice guidelines

• With consent, communication with your referrer and/or GP and/or school