Physiotherapy

Outpatient service – antenatal

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) clinic

Pelvic girdle pain is the term used to describe pain in one or more of the three pelvic joints. It affects up to 1 in 4 women in pregnancy, with symptoms varying in severity. We offer a rapid access specialist information and advice class for women with pelvic girdle pain at 13:30 on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. The class is held in the outpatient physiotherapy department at Addenbrooke’s hospital. Patients are welcome to attend without prior referral from a health care professional. We would recommend that patients attend the class as the first line of treatment for pelvic girdle pain before a formal referral for individual assessment is made.

The antenatal service also offers one-to-one assessment and treatment for the following conditions:

• antenatal pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
• lumbar and thoracic pain
• diastasis recti abdominus (separation of the abdominal muscles)
• pregnancy-related carpal tunnel symptoms
• rib flare
• pelvic floor rehabilitation
• urinary incontinence

Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) classes

VBAC classes are offered to appropriate patients after review in the VBAC or obstetric clinic and are run by a specialist obstetric physiotherapist. The class includes information and practical advice for encouraging an active vaginal birth.  To book a session, please call Rosie reception on 01223 217 617.

Outpatient service – postnatal

We offer a specialist information and advice session for postnatal women at 13:30 on the last Tuesday of the month in the outpatient physiotherapy department at Addenbrooke’s hospital. This session is appropriate for women up to six months after the birth of their baby who are experiencing musculoskeletal or continence symptoms (urinary or bowel) directly related to childbirth. It also provides an ideal opportunity to check for diastasis recti abdominus (separation of the abdominal muscles) and to discuss further exercises to optimise postnatal recovery.

No referral or booking is necessary but please arrive promptly.

How to access the service

There are several ways for you to access our service at Addenbrooke’s hospital:

• midwife referral
• GP referral through the ‘Choose and Book’ appointment system
• consultant referrals

If you live within the Cambridgeshire PCT, we also are happy to accept referrals from:

• Physiodirect telephone referral system (telephone 01480 434980)
• Physiodirect self-referrals  - see self-referral sheet link below:
  Physio Direct: self referral

Please note: self-referrals via Physiodirect will be received by Cambridgeshire community services, who provide clinics in sites across Cambridgeshire. Patients can choose where to have their physiotherapy treatment and this preference should be indicated on the referral form.

Location
The outpatient physiotherapy department is situated in the outpatient area of Addenbrooke's hospital on level 2 (ground floor), to the left of the WRVS canteen. Follow the signs from the main entrance to the outpatient area, or ask at either reception desk in outpatients or by the main entrance.

There is a courtesy bus on site.
> Courtesy bus

Inpatient service

A physiotherapist routinely visits postnatal women six days per week (Mon – Sat) after caesarean sections, instrumental deliveries and third degree tears to provide advice on postnatal exercises and recovery.
Physiotherapists are also available to give advice to antenatal women with musculoskeletal problems.

For further information on our services, please contact the Addenbrooke’s women’s health physiotherapy team on 01223 217 422 or follow the link below:
> Women’s health and urogynaecological conditions

For exercise and advice leaflets please follow the link below:
> The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health