Frequently Asked Questions | Women’s Health Physiotherapy

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues forming the base of the pelvis; it supports the bladder, bowel and uterus, controls continence, contributes to sexual function and plays a central role in core stability; when these muscles are weak, tight or uncoordinated, a wide range of symptoms can develop.

Common signs include leaking urine when you cough, sneeze or exercise; a sudden urgent need to urinate that is difficult to control; a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis; pain during intercourse; chronic pelvic or lower back pain; difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel completely; and a sensation of something bulging in the vaginal area.

In the majority of cases yes; physiotherapy is the first-line recommended treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction and produces excellent results for incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain and postpartum weakness; surgery is typically only considered after conservative physiotherapy has been fully explored; Dr. Marya Asghar creates personalised non-surgical treatment plans for every patient.

Most women notice meaningful improvement within 4 to 8 sessions; mild conditions may resolve sooner while complex or long-standing conditions may require a longer programme; consistency with your home exercise programme significantly accelerates results; Dr. Marya reviews your progress at every session and adjusts your plan to ensure you are moving forward at the right pace.

Kegel exercises are one small component of pelvic floor therapy; a full physiotherapy programme involves a proper assessment first | because some women have pelvic floors that are too tight rather than too weak, and doing Kegel exercises in that case can worsen symptoms; Dr. Marya assesses your pelvic floor function before prescribing any exercises to ensure they are appropriate for you.

Not at all; pelvic floor dysfunction affects women across all life stages including teenagers, young adults, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women; causes include hormonal changes, high-impact sport, chronic coughing, constipation, previous pelvic surgery and connective tissue conditions; pregnancy and childbirth are common triggers but they are far from the only ones.

Yes; online pelvic floor physiotherapy is highly effective for assessment, guided exercise prescription, education and follow-up; Dr. Marya conducts thorough video consultations and provides a personalised written home programme; for women who require hands-on manual therapy or internal assessment, an in-person session at Gujrat clinic is recommended.

Pelvic floor weakness means the muscles are unable to generate sufficient force to support the pelvic organs and control continence | causing leakage, prolapse and heaviness; pelvic floor overactivity means the muscles are chronically tight and unable to relax | causing pelvic pain, painful intercourse, urgency and difficulty emptying the bladder; both require physiotherapy but the treatment approaches are completely different | which is why assessment comes first.

Yes; physiotherapy is safe throughout all three trimesters when delivered by a qualified specialist; Dr. Marya is trained in antenatal physiotherapy and carefully adapts every technique to your trimester, symptoms and comfort level; no high-risk manual techniques are used and treatment is always progressed at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you.

As early as symptoms appear or even preventatively from the first trimester; early intervention prevents minor issues from becoming severe by the third trimester; many women begin between 12 and 20 weeks once their pregnancy is confirmed stable; if you experience back pain, SPD or pelvic girdle pain at any point do not wait | seek help early.

Symphysis pubis dysfunction, also called SPD or pelvic girdle pain, is sharp pain at the front of the pelvis caused by excessive movement at the pubic joint; it worsens with walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed and spreading the legs; physiotherapy is the most effective treatment | combining manual therapy, targeted exercises, posture advice and support recommendations to significantly reduce pain and restore function.

Gentle guidance including breathing exercises and early pelvic floor awareness can begin in the first two weeks postpartum; a structured rehabilitation programme typically starts at 6 weeks after vaginal birth or 8 weeks after caesarean section, always following your doctor’s clearance; Dr. Marya tailors the timing and intensity of your programme entirely around your individual birth and recovery.

Diastasis recti is the separation of the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscle that commonly occurs during pregnancy as the uterus expands; it can cause a visible gap or ridge along the midline of the abdomen, lower back pain and a feeling of core weakness; physiotherapy cannot always close the gap entirely but significantly improves function, reduces symptoms and restores core strength through a structured rehabilitation programme.

Yes; caesarean section is major abdominal surgery and recovery benefits greatly from physiotherapy; treatment addresses scar tissue management, core and pelvic floor rehabilitation, breathing re-education, postural correction and progressive return to activity; women who have had C-sections are just as likely to experience pelvic floor dysfunction as those who delivered vaginally and deserve the same level of care.

Yes; feeding posture is one of the most common causes of new-mother neck, shoulder and upper back pain; hours of feeding, carrying and interrupted sleep create significant postural strain; Dr. Marya provides posture correction, ergonomic feeding position advice and targeted strengthening exercises that are practical, quick and designed to fit into a busy new mother’s daily routine.

Yes; online sessions are effective for assessment, guided exercise, posture advice and education throughout pregnancy; many women find online consultations particularly convenient during the third trimester when travel is uncomfortable; Dr. Marya conducts thorough video assessments and provides a fully written home exercise programme suitable for your trimester and symptoms.

Dry needling is a physiotherapy technique in which fine sterile needles are inserted directly into myofascial trigger points | tight, painful knots within muscles; the needle provokes a local twitch response which releases muscle tension, improves blood flow and reduces pain signals; it is rooted in Western anatomy and neuroscience and is entirely distinct from acupuncture.

The needles used are extremely fine | much thinner than injection needles | and most patients feel only minimal discomfort on insertion; the local twitch response feels like a brief deep ache or muscle cramp lasting only a second; the overall session is well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients; Dr. Marya works at your pace and explains every step before proceeding.

Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points based on Western anatomy and neuroscience; acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and targets energy meridians called Qi pathways; both use fine needles but the underpinning philosophy, practitioner training, anatomical targets and clinical goals are entirely different; Dr. Marya practises dry needling exclusively within a physiotherapy framework | not as an alternative medicine practice.

Dry needling is not suitable for women who are in the first trimester of pregnancy, those with a needle phobia, bleeding disorders, active infection at the treatment site, compromised immune function or certain systemic conditions; Dr. Marya conducts a thorough screening assessment before every dry needling session to confirm it is safe and appropriate for you.

Most patients experience significant improvement within 3 to 6 sessions; chronic or complex conditions may require more; Dr. Marya reassesses after every 2 to 3 sessions and adjusts the treatment plan based on your response; many patients feel immediate relief or reduced muscle tension after their very first session.

Yes; dry needling of pelvic floor muscles is an advanced technique used for hypertonic pelvic floor conditions causing chronic pelvic pain, urgency or painful intercourse; it is always conducted as part of a comprehensive pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment and programme | never as a standalone pelvic treatment; Dr. Marya will advise whether it is appropriate for your specific condition.

Dry needling is available both as a standalone session for women with specific trigger point pain and as part of a broader physiotherapy programme for complex or recurring conditions; Dr. Marya will advise which approach is most appropriate for your situation during your free initial consultation.

For many conditions yes; clinical evidence demonstrates strong outcomes for online physiotherapy particularly for exercise-based rehabilitation, pelvic floor therapy, postpartum recovery, postural correction and pain management; Dr. Marya has specifically designed her online assessment process to deliver the same standard of clinical care as an in-person session; conditions requiring hands-on manual therapy or dry needling are recommended for in-person treatment.

Just a smartphone, tablet or laptop with a working camera and microphone and a stable internet connection; sessions are conducted via WhatsApp Video, Zoom or Google Meet | whichever is easiest for you; a quiet private space is helpful and for movement assessment a small clear floor area is useful | no specialist equipment is required.

Conditions that respond particularly well to online physiotherapy include pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum recovery, pregnancy back and pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, diastasis recti rehabilitation, postural neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, headaches, breathing pattern dysfunction and return-to-exercise planning; Dr. Marya will advise at your free consultation whether your specific condition is suitable for online treatment or whether in-person sessions would be more beneficial.

Yes; Dr. Marya conducts consultations in English, Urdu and Arabic; simply indicate your preferred language when booking and your entire session | including your written home exercise programme and all follow-up communication | will be delivered in that language.

Payment details for follow-up sessions are discussed during your free initial consultation; HealzHer offers flexible payment options suitable for patients in Pakistan, Gulf countries and internationally; bank transfer and mobile payment options are available; all pricing is communicated privately and directly | there is no public price list due to the personalised nature of each treatment plan.

HealzHer currently serves women in Pakistan (PKT), UAE and Gulf (GST), the United Kingdom (BST/GMT), Canada and North America (EST/PST) and many other time zones worldwide; when booking please mention your location and preferred session time and the team will do their best to accommodate you | evening appointments may be available on request.

Absolutely; many patients begin with online consultations and transition to in-person sessions at Fazilat Amin Hospital in Gujrat when hands-on treatment is required; Dr. Marya will advise if and when an in-person session would better serve your condition and the transition is seamless | your full treatment history carries over.

Yes, completely and with no obligation; your first 20-minute consultation with Dr. Marya is always free; it is an opportunity for you to share your concerns, ask questions and understand what treatment would involve before making any commitment; no payment details are required to book your free session.

You can book through three channels | fill in the booking form on the Book Now page, send a WhatsApp message to the HealzHer number, or email info@healzher.com directly; simply include your name, location, main concern and preferred session time and the team will confirm your appointment and send your video link or clinic details within 24 hours.

No referral is needed; you can book directly through HealzHer without any GP or specialist letter; however if you have a recent medical report, scan result or letter from your doctor it is helpful to share it before your first session so Dr. Marya can prepare a more focused consultation.

Within 24 hours across all booking channels including the online form, WhatsApp and email; during busy periods responses may take slightly longer but the team responds to every booking request without exception | you will never be left waiting without an acknowledgement.

HealzHer has a flexible cancellation policy; if you need to reschedule or cancel please send a WhatsApp message or email at least 24 hours before your appointment and the team will arrange an alternative time that suits you | no cancellation fees apply for the free initial consultation.

Completely; all consultations are conducted one-to-one with Dr. Marya on a secure video platform; your personal details, medical history and everything discussed during your session are kept strictly confidential and are never shared with any third party under any circumstances; your privacy is HealzHer’s absolute priority.

Yes; you are welcome to book on behalf of your mother, sister, daughter or any female family member; please include the patient’s name, age and main concern when booking and the team will arrange the consultation and communicate with whoever is most appropriate.

Dr. Marya holds a Bachelor of DPT from the University of Lahore (2015–2020) and a Master of Science in Women’s Health Physiotherapy from Riphah International University (2021–2023); she has been in active clinical practice since 2020 at Fazilat Amin Hospital Gujrat and specialises in pelvic floor rehabilitation, dry needling, pregnancy physiotherapy and postpartum care.

Women’s health physiotherapy is a specialist field addressing conditions unique to the female body across all life stages | from teenage years through pregnancy, postpartum and menopause; many women feel more comfortable discussing sensitive pelvic and gynaecological concerns with a female clinician; HealzHer is built to provide that safe, expert and exclusively female-led environment without compromise.

Not at all; HealzHer was founded specifically to reach women globally; Dr. Marya currently serves women in Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Canada and many other countries through online consultations; sessions are available in English, Urdu and Arabic to ensure every woman can communicate comfortably in her own language.

HealzHer combines postgraduate specialist training, clinical experience and a genuinely global reach that most physiotherapy clinics cannot offer; Dr. Marya holds both a DPT and an MSc in Women’s Health | a rare combination in Pakistan; the practice is entirely female-led, available online worldwide, multilingual and built around the specific physiological and emotional needs of women at every stage of life.

All content on healzher.com is written or reviewed by Dr. Marya Asghar and the HealzHer clinical team; articles are evidence-based and written in plain language to help women understand their bodies and make informed decisions; content is for educational purposes and does not replace a personalised clinical consultation with a qualified physiotherapist.

Dr. Marya Asghar is a qualified physiotherapist registered in Pakistan with both a Bachelor of DPT and a postgraduate MSc in Women’s Health Physiotherapy; HealzHer operates in full compliance with applicable healthcare regulations; for any specific regulatory queries please contact the team directly at info@healzher.com and the team will respond within 24 hours.