We start by confirming what you want from your appointment – why have you decided to come to pelvic floor physiotherapy, what issues are you having, and how I can help you improve your health?
Your initial appointment is usually 50 to 60 minutes long and the fee is $350NZD (increasing to $400NZD on 1 October 2023). I will ask you lots of questions including some pretty personal ones about your bladder and bowel habits, your sexual function, and your medical history. And you can ask me lots of questions too. No questions are ‘stupid’. I’m upfront and will tell you straight off if I can help you, and what I recommend for treatment. Or if I’m not sure, I’ll tell you that. I strongly believe that knowledge and insight gives you better control over your treatment options, and results in a better outcome for you.
Depending on your issue, I may recommend an internal examination as part of the initial assessment. However, you need to feel comfortable about this assessment technique, know why its recommended, and give your full consent to it. So often we do this at a follow-up appointment. And sometimes people just don’t want to do this at all, and that’s OK. I can work around it.
Depending on your issues, a treatment plan may involve an initial appointment with 3 to 6 follow up appointments spread over many months. Regaining strength in the pelvic floor muscles (if that is part of your issue) takes time – usually 4 to 6 months. We can’t speed up muscle growth, healing, and strength training. It takes time, but normally we get there in the end.
Follow up appointments are usually 20 to 30 minutes long and the fee is $175NZD (increasing to $200NZD on 1 October 2023). These are an opportunity for a re-assessment to check your progress, make adjustments to your treatment, provide education, and to answer the questions you have. I may ask you to keep a bladder and/or bowel diary to help you gain insight into your condition, trial different toileting positions, or do a self-examination at home so you know how you are progressing.
Trust me, you don’t need to ‘tidy up’.
People worry that they are ‘not normal’ or need to ‘tidy up down there’ before they see me. Or that I’ll remember everything about their issues and intimate areas which would make it a bit awkward if they see me at the supermarket later in the week. Trust me, you don’t need to ‘tidy up’. There is no ‘normal’ as people come in different shapes, sizes, colours, and hair types. And I never remember people’s issues or what their intimate areas look like once I leave the consulting room. That’s why I do my clinical notes immediately after the consultation. And why I can never remember anyone’s name outside the clinic!
Payment is due at the end of each appointment by credit card, EFTPOS, or cash. I can email you the receipt for your files or for you to claim back from your insurance company if eligible. The fee for the initial appointment is $350NZD (increasing to $400NZD on 1 October 2023) and followups are $175NZD (increasing to $200NZD on 1 October 2023).
Cancellation policy. Please give at least five (5) days’ notice of cancellation or the full fee for the appointment may be charged. Each appointment time is precious and needed for another person on the waiting list who may need to make travel arrangements. Please respect this and make sure you come to your appointment on time.