Pelvic Health West was opened one year ago at the Oran Town Centre in Oranmore, proudly empowering women to prevent and overcome symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Since October 2023, more than 300 women have attended Pelvic Health West for individual physiotherapy assessment and treatment, physio-led Pilates classes and one-to-one Pilates classes.
Orlaith Kilgannon, specialist physiotherapist in pelvic health and founding director of Pelvic Health West, reflects on the last year: "It has been wonderful to see women addressing and preventing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction which can significantly effect quality of life," she says. "Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction will affect up to 50 per cent of women in their lifetime, indicating that these symptoms are common but we shouldn’t be accepting them.
"I have seen women in the last year increase their knowledge and awareness of their bodies and take those all important steps to preventing and managing symptoms instead of putting up with them. I see many women attending in pregnancy and post-natal with the aim of returning to exercise with guidance and preventing future pelvic floor dysfunction. I always say to these women: 'You won’t thank yourself in the future because you won’t know what could have been'.
"I also have the privilege of working with women who are experiencing symptoms of bladder or bowel dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain," she continued. "These symptoms may have come about from changes with menopause or may have been going on for a lot longer and have a significant impact on their day-to-day lives. It’s a pleasure to work with these women and give them back their quality of life. I look forward to empowering more women to achieve their goals in the years to come."
To celebrate its first birthday, Pelvic Health West is offering 10 per cent off all initial consultations for the week beginning October 14. Pelvic Health West will also donate 10 per cent of the appointment cost to Unicef. Book your appointment at pelvichealthwest.ie or call 091 394 496 and quote “Happy Birthday PHW” to receive your discount and charitable donation.
