One in three women will suffer from urinary incontinence during her lifetime ‘researchers estimate that 12% to 20% of women have chronic pelvic pain’ reports the National Pain Foundation. These are staggering statistics which highlight that pelvic pain and dysfunction is yet another major health problem facing women and men today.

Pelvic dysfunction refers to those conditions arising from a malfunctioning of the pelvic floor muscle. Simply put, the pelvic floor is a sling, or hammock of muscles that form the floor of the pelvis. Numerous tiny muscles work in unison to form a ‘muscle unit’, which provides support for the internal organs - preventing prolapse and incontinence - and which also allows for good bowl functioning and participation in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is not functioning correctly, problems occur are in the bladder and bowels, commonly leaking and a difficulty with evacuating. In addition sexual awareness and enjoyment may be substantially decreased when pelvic problems occur.

Corina Avni is a qualified physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic function and pregnancy-related problems. Having completed her undergraduate physiotherapy degree at UCT, Avni then went to the UK, where she specialised in Men’s and Women’s Health. In 2001 she was awarded full membership by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health and in the same year she returned to South Africa where she set up her current practice at the Kingsbury Hospital in Claremont, Cape Town.

Avni deals exclusively with pelvic function and pregnancy-related problems. She emphasises the importance of caring for ourselves in order to maintain sufficient function, so that we can use and enjoy our bodies to the fullest, for the longest possible time. ‘In today’s society, little energy or resource is devoted to preventative measures, although the trend is gradually shifting. This attitude of ‘fix it when it breaks’ loads our later years with ill-health and disease,’ says Avni. ‘The pelvic floor with its associated toilet control and sexual function is one such area – we can't see it, often we can't feel it very well, so we tend to ignore it until minor problems become major dysfunctions. Then we expect miracles.’

Avni explains that this reluctance to address pelvis related problems is due in part, to embarrassment and in part, to lack of understanding of how our bodies work. ‘No-one teaches us how to urinate or defecate, bar sitting us on a potty and expecting us to get on with it! Nor is it something we readily discuss with one another. This means that when something goes wrong we don’t know what to do about it, or even who to ask for information,’ she says. ‘We often ‘self-treat,’ by modifying our behaviour, which usually worsens the problem. For example, if we go to the toilet all the time, we go more often just in case making the amount of urine the bladder can hold even less. Or, using laxatives to keep you regular, until you realise you can’t go at all without them.’

For real long lasting solutions to pelvic problems, Avni urges that we get informed about our body’s functionality and seek out reputable medical assessment and advice. She consults on a one-on-one basis, teaches classes, lectures groups and also facilitates workshops. Personal consultations start with a series of questions relating to a patients personal pelvic function. A digital vaginal examination is then conducted in order to assess the efficiency of the pelvic floor. Finally, feedback is given with advice on how to proceed next. In addition, she also uses pilates as a teaching tool.

For more information about pelvic function or to book an appointment with Corina Avni, call 021-683-1174 or visit www.pelvicfunction.co.za.