Embody Physiotherapy & Pelvic Health

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Embody Physiotherapy & Pelvic Health

Melanie Underwood | Pelvic Health Specialist | Incontinence, Prolapse, Menopause & Postnatal Care | Helping you feel confident again 🌿

03/09/2026

Think menopause is just about low oestrogen? Think again.

Perimenopause and menopause involve changes in several hormones, and they don't simply decline overnight. In fact, hormone levels can fluctuate significantly, which is often why symptoms can feel so unpredictable.

These hormonal changes can affect far more than your periods. They can influence your:
🧠 Memory and concentration
😴 Sleep
😊 Mood
💪 Muscles and strength
🦴 Bone health
🚽 Bladder function
🌸 Pelvic floor health

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I just don't feel like myself anymore," you're not imagining it.

Understanding what's happening in your body is the first step towards managing symptoms and supporting your long-term health.

And the good news? There is so much you can do to help yourself feel stronger, healthier and more confident through this transition.

31/08/2026

"...If she is not sure about something she will research and reach out to others to help provide advice. Having had two sets of treatments with Mel I could not recommend her enough to any women who are struggling as a result of hormonal changes and the problems that they cause. She is an experienced professional yet caring and compassionate at the same time."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

27/08/2026

Had a C-section? Your postnatal recovery is about more than your scar.

It’s completely understandable that after a C-section, your attention is focused on your wound, your scar and recovering from major abdominal surgery. But your pelvic floor has also been working hard throughout pregnancy.

Even though your baby wasn’t born vaginally, your pelvic floor has spent around 40 weeks supporting a growing baby and adapting to changes in weight, pressure, posture, breathing and hormones.

That doesn’t mean you will necessarily have pelvic floor problems after a C-section.
But it does mean that your pelvic floor is still worth considering as part of your postnatal recovery.

A pelvic health assessment isn't just about checking whether you can do a strong pelvic floor squeeze.

It also looks at how your pelvic floor is contracting, relaxing and coordinating with your breathing and abdominal muscles, how you manage pressure, and whether there are any bladder, bowel, prolapse or sexual symptoms that you may not have realised could be related.

At the same time, we can consider your abdominal wall, scar, core function and how you're progressing with movement and exercise.

Recovering from a C-section isn't just about waiting for the incision to heal. It's about gradually helping your whole body regain strength, coordination and confidence.

So if you've had a C-section and thought “I don't need my pelvic floor checked because I didn't have a vaginal birth” hopefully this carousel gives you a different perspective that is worth considering.

If you're unsure whether your postnatal recovery is progressing as it should, you don't have to wait until you have a problem to ask for advice.

24/08/2026

Pregnancy and birth can have a significant impact on your body, even if you're feeling well.

A Mummy MOT is a specialist postnatal assessment that looks at your recovery, including:
✔️ Pelvic floor function
✔️ Abdominal muscle separation
✔️ Bladder and bowel health
✔️ Posture and movement
✔️ A safe return to exercise

Because postnatal recovery is about more than just getting through those first few weeks - get in touch to book your Mummy MOT 💚

19/08/2026

It's NEVER too late to do something about your pelvic floor 💚

One of the biggest myths I hear is: "I'm too old now, so there's no point."

The truth is that while ageing, gravity, hormonal changes and natural changes in our tissues can all affect pelvic floor support, there is almost always something we can do to create positive change.

Whether you're experiencing bladder leaks, prolapse symptoms, urgency, pelvic floor weakness, or you've simply noticed things don't feel quite the same as they once did, support is available.

Improving pelvic floor function isn't just about doing endless squeezes. It can involve strengthening, improving coordination, optimising bowel and bladder habits, increasing overall fitness and finding strategies that work for your lifestyle.

Starting later is always better than never starting at all.

If you're feeling lost or unsure where to begin, please reach out. I'd be happy to help guide you. 💚

17/08/2026

... The exercises I’ve been shown to do regularly are so helpful, and the physical check I have on my visit to see if it’s working and I’m not getting worse, really put my mind to rest. Am pleased to say am staying on the right side of fine!

I have no plans to stop my regular visits, as I’ve said before 'I need them'”.

Receiving feedback like this means so much 🤍

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I know how difficult it can be to talk about personal health concerns, and it's a privilege to support women through what can often feel like a very isolating journey.

You don't have to put up with it, and you certainly don't have to navigate it alone.

14/08/2026

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be taking a short summer break from 16th-26th August.

Clinic on 27th and 28th August is currently fully booked, and my next available appointments are week commencing 31st August.

Although I'll be away from the clinic, I'll still be contactable, so please feel free to message me with any questions or queries and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks, Mel x

13/08/2026

A little snapshot of who I've been helping today in clinic...

✓ A lady with endometriosis and pelvic pain.
✓ Another struggling with painful in*******se and sexual dysfunction.
✓ A new mum attending for her Mummy MOT.
✓ A patient receiving scar therapy treatment.
✓ And a gym loving lady looking for help with hip and shoulder pain.

No two days are ever the same, and every client comes with their own story, challenges and goals.

It's a privilege to support people through every stage of life and help them understand that they don't have to simply put up with their symptoms - do you need support for any of your symptoms?

10/08/2026

Have you ever found yourself thinking...

"I don't feel like myself anymore."

Perhaps you've noticed changes in your mood, your sleep, your energy levels, your bladder, your muscles, your joints, or an uneasy feeling that you don't recognise yourself. If so, you're certainly not alone.

One of the biggest misconceptions about menopause is that it's simply about periods stopping or having the occasional hot flush. In reality, the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause affect almost every system in the body.

Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone all play important roles in keeping our brains, bones, muscles, bladder, pelvic floor, heart and reproductive tissues healthy. As these hormones fluctuate and eventually decline, it's understandable that you may notice physical and emotional changes.
The important thing to remember is...

These changes are real.
They're common.
And there is so much that can help.

Understanding what's happening inside your body is often the first step towards feeling more in control. Whether that's through exercise, strength training, pelvic floor rehabilitation, nutrition, lifestyle changes, HRT, vaginal oestrogen or simply having the right information and support, you don't have to struggle through menopause alone.

💚 Please send me a DM if you would like to know how I may be able to help

05/08/2026

Looking after your bones starts long before you break one.

When we think about the menopause, we often think about hot flushes, poor sleep or mood changes.

But one of the biggest changes happening behind the scenes is bone loss.

As oestrogen levels begin to fall during perimenopause and menopause, bone is broken down faster than it can be rebuilt. In fact, women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the five to seven years after menopause.

🦴 Osteoporosis has been called the 'silent disease' because there are often no symptoms until a fracture occurs.

The good news? There is so much you can do to support your bone health.

→ Move your body
Bones respond to being loaded. They become stronger when we challenge them.
Aim to include:
✔️ Resistance or strength training at least twice a week
✔️ Weight-bearing exercise such as brisk walking, dancing, hiking or stair climbing
✔️ Balance exercises to help reduce your risk of falls
✔️ Activities you enjoy so you're more likely to keep doing them

→ Fuel your bones
Your bones also need the right building blocks:
🥛 Calcium-rich foods
☀️ Vitamin D (particularly important in the UK)
🥩 Adequate protein to support healthy muscles and bones

→ Don't wait until it's a problem
Whether you're in your 40s, 50s or beyond, it's never too early, or too late, to start investing in your bone health.

Small changes made today can help you stay stronger, more active and independent for years to come.

I can help you understand your individual risk and guide you through safe, evidence-based exercise to improve bone health, strength and confidence.

🦴 Strong bones support an active life. The best time to look after them is now.

Address

13 High Street, Eccleshall
Stafford
ST216BW

Telephone

+447984194216

Website

http://www.embodyphysiotherapy.co.uk/

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