Hamilton Body Therapy

Im giving a presentation in a few weeks on the Pelvic Floor and Post Natal fitness. If anyone is interested, come along!

Parent Education Session
Pelvic Floor Health with Melissa Hilton.

27th August 6-7.30
4 Radnor St, Hamilton

Refreshments provided!

About Melissa:

As a qualified Corrective Exercise Specialist and Registered Massage Therapist, I combine hands-on treatment with tailored rehabilitation to help people manage pain, recover from injury and improve their overall health. My areas of expertise include women’s health, post-natal recovery, pelvic floor and core rehabilitation, lymphatic therapy, TMJ dysfunction and exercise prescription for a wide range of chronic health conditions.

In this session, I’ll be speaking about postnatal recovery and returning to fitness safely, including the physical changes that occur after pregnancy, what to look out for, common pelvic floor and core issues, and what to avoid when getting back into exercise.

To book, please call/text 0272071970 or email [email protected]

When your builder comes early doors to do things!

Ambroise Paré was a pioneering French surgeon who served four kings and, in addition to revolutionizing wound treatment and surgical techniques, was among the first modern physicians to formally recognize and advocate for the therapeutic use of massage and friction.

Key aspects of Paré's use and view of massage include:

Treatment for Joint Stiffness: Paré, who served as a surgeon in the French army for over 20 years, utilized general massage movements to treat patients with joint stiffness and dislocations.

Rehabilitation Aid: He advocated for massage to assist in the rehabilitation of injuries, particularly for patients recovering from surgery or suffering from stiffness.

Reclassification of Movements: Paré classified various types of massage techniques, contributing to the development of early European medical massage.

Paré's work on the body and his emphasis on gentle patient handling helped reintroduce soft tissue manipulation as a valid medical therapy, bridging the gap between ancient therapeutic practices and the modern era.

ALWAYS CHOOSE A MASSAGE NEW ZEALAND REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST - TO KNOW YOU'RE IN SAFE HANDS

Many women are surprised when they start experiencing bladder leaks, pelvic pressure or reduced core strength during menopause. For some women, these symptoms appear suddenly even if they have never had pelvic floor problems before.

The good news is that these changes are very common and very treatable. Understanding why they happen is the first step toward improving pelvic floor strength and confidence in movement again.

Why Menopause Affects the Pelvic Floor

During menopause, the body experiences a reduction in oestrogen levels. Oestrogen helps maintain the strength and elasticity of connective tissues, including those supporting the pelvic organs and pelvic floor muscles.

When oestrogen declines, the pelvic floor may become:
• weaker
• less responsive
• less able to support the bladder and bowel

This can contribute to symptoms such as:
• bladder leaks when coughing, sneezing or exercising
• a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
• reduced core stability
• increased urgency to urinate

Why Exercise Still Matters

Some women stop exercising when these symptoms begin because they worry about leaks or discomfort. However, avoiding exercise can actually make symptoms worse.

Regular movement helps support:
• pelvic floor strength
• bone density and osteoporosis prevention
• cardiovascular health
• balance and fall prevention
• mood and sleep

The key is learning how to support the pelvic floor while moving. If you need help with this, take a look at my website... https://www.hamiltonbodytherapy.co.nz/pelvicfloorstrengthprogramme

Rehabilitating your body after a hysterectomy, C-section or any pelvic surgery is an important — and often overlooked — part of recovery. Many people are simply expected to “get back to normal”… and they do — often without the guidance their body actually needs.

While rest is absolutely essential, gentle and appropriate movement based on your situation is just as important. You don’t need to be afraid to move — you simply need to move thoughtfully and gradually. Often the biggest cause for surgical failure, is failing to do what your surgeon says!

Start with gentle walking
Begin with short walks of around 5–10 minutes to encourage circulation and slowly build from there.

Include pelvic floor exercises if appropriate
A well-functioning pelvic floor supports your bladder, bowel and core, and can help reduce the risk of future issues as your body heals. But make sure this is appropriate for your specific symptoms

Rebuild your core safely
Avoid high-pressure exercises such as sit-ups and planks in the early stages. Instead, focus on gentle, targeted movements that activate the deep abdominal muscles and support your recovery.

Return to impact and lifting s l o w l y
You will usually be advised not to lift or load your body for the first 6–10 weeks after surgery. When you begin reintroducing these activities, progress slowly and with good technique and be mindful of your pelvic floor.

Most importantly, work with a practitioner who specialises in post-surgical and pelvic rehabilitation, and can guide you through safe, effective exercises tailored to your recovery.

Laughs aside, this is why I love my job. Being able to help someone that has constant pain and discomfort is what gets me up in the morning... TMJ (Temporomandibular) Massage can help with:

Jaw pain or clicking
Headaches and tension around the temples or face
Neck and shoulder tension
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and related sleep issues

The technique relaxes tight muscles such as the masseter, SCM and temporalis, improves jaw mobility, and can reduce discomfort from TMJ dysfunction. Alongside symptom relief, many clients experience better sleep and reduced neck/shoulder strain. Book on my website!

The great news is that time and time again, studies show that a little education can go a long way in terms of improving pelvic floor contraction. If you want to learn how to improve your pelvic floor, please reach out!

Connecting and learning is simple, though definitely not easy, because it requires conscious effort and work to connect and rewire a pattern. But the effort pays off.
Studies show that education and guidance around isolated pelvic floor contractions help to prevent and improve stress urinary incontinence. (Özdemır & Bakar, 2015; Szumilewicz et al., 2020) Studies have also shown that performing Kegels during pregnancy helped with urinary incontinence postpartum, and also helped with low back pain. (Santos et al., 2024; Kazemina et al., 2023; Ferrari et al., 2024) Making sure pelvic floor tension is addressed and that a Kegel includes a balanced engagement with the ability to fully relax afterward can not only help pelvic floor function, but can also help with pelvic pain. (Kadah et. al., 2023)

Did you know menopause can have a big impact on your pelvic floor?

Hormonal changes (especially drops in oestrogen) can affect muscle tone, bladder control, intimacy, and even how connected you feel to your body.

Common but not normal signs include:
• Leaking when you laugh, cough, or exercise
• Pelvic heaviness or pressure
• Pain with intimacy
• Tightness, discomfort, or difficulty relaxing

The good news?

With the right support, your pelvic floor can be improved at any stage of menopause.
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just about strengthening — it’s about balance, relaxation, circulation, and helping your body feel safe and supported again.

If menopause has left you feeling uncomfortable, disconnected, or frustrated in your body, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to just “put up with it”.

Let’s talk about it.
Your body is changing — it deserves care, not silence.

If you're still on the fence about things... these two amazing ladies worked with me post Mesh removal surgery, and are now happier, fitter, stronger, have better mental health, are in less pain and most importantly - can enjoy their lives!