This page covers two areas of physiotherapy that are often underserved and under-discussed: women's pelvic health across all life stages, and the developmental physiotherapy needs of infants, children, and teenagers. I hope the information here helps you understand how physiotherapy can support these particular journeys.
Women's health physiotherapy and pediatric physiotherapy share something important: both require a depth of clinical knowledge, a great deal of patience, and an environment where the person - or child - feels genuinely safe and understood. These are areas where concerns are often deeply personal, where hesitation to seek help is common, and where the right support at the right time makes a lasting difference. I have written this page to explain what each field involves, what kinds of conditions physiotherapy can help with, and what a thoughtful, evidence-based approach looks like in practice.
Conditions physiotherapy can help with:
The female body goes through extraordinary changes during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Too many women accept pain, leaking, or weakness as "just part of motherhood" - when in fact, these are well-recognised conditions that respond very well to physiotherapy.
Women's health physiotherapy addresses the physical changes across all life stages: during pregnancy, in the postnatal period, and through adulthood and menopause. The pelvic floor, the abdominal muscles, the sacroiliac joints, and the whole musculoskeletal system all respond to the hormonal and postural demands placed on the body at each of these stages.
Consultations in this area are always completely private. Internal pelvic floor assessments are carried out only with full, informed consent and can be declined at any time. Explaining everything clearly, at the individual's own pace, is central to how I approach this work - so that each person always feels in control of their care.
Book a ConsultationPhysiotherapy for women's health looks different at every stage - here is what support can look like during each phase.
During pregnancy, physiotherapy can help manage back pain, round ligament discomfort, sciatica, and pelvic girdle pain. Breathing techniques, positioning guidance, and pelvic floor education can also support a more comfortable pregnancy and prepare the body for birth.
Gentle, progressive rehabilitation in the weeks and months after birth - whether following a vaginal delivery or a Caesarean. Physiotherapy in this period commonly addresses pelvic floor reconnection, diastasis recti, scar mobility, and a safe return to physical activity at the right pace for each individual.
Evidence-based programmes to retrain pelvic floor muscles for strength, coordination, and relaxation. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a recognised approach for incontinence, prolapse symptoms, pelvic pain, and difficulties with bladder and bowel control - and it is far more common and accessible than many people realise.
Areas physiotherapy can support:
Children are not small adults - and their physiotherapy should not treat them as such. Pediatric physiotherapy is most effective when it is playful, engaging, and age-appropriate, delivered at a pace that makes children feel comfortable and parents feel informed and confident.
Physiotherapy can support babies, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers by assessing movement, developmental milestones, and physical function, then creating gentle therapy programmes that support growth in the most natural way possible. Play-based approaches are central to good pediatric physiotherapy - they build strength, coordination, balance, and confidence without the child ever feeling that something difficult or unpleasant is being asked of them.
Parents are always involved and informed throughout the process. Understanding what is being worked on, and why, helps families carry that work forward at home between appointments - which makes a substantial difference to the overall progress.
Book a ConsultationEarly identification of movement or developmental concerns makes a significant difference to long-term outcomes. Physiotherapy can contribute meaningfully at each stage of childhood.
Gentle hands-on therapy for babies with torticollis, flat head positioning, delayed rolling or sitting milestones, and early movement concerns. Parents are guided at every step, with clear and manageable home programmes to carry the work forward between appointments.
Children who spend long hours at desks or with screens can develop poor posture, back pain, or spinal asymmetry. Physiotherapy assessment and age-appropriate exercise, alongside practical advice for parents on school bags, screen heights, and active habits, can address these patterns early.
Young athletes are particularly susceptible to overuse injuries and growth-related conditions such as Osgood-Schlatter disease. Physiotherapy can support safe return to sport after injury, with guidance on training load, technique, and building movement habits that reduce future risk.
In both women's health and pediatric physiotherapy, the quality of the therapeutic relationship matters as much as the clinical method. Here is how I approach these areas of care.
Women's health consultations are always conducted in a private, comfortable setting. Personal concerns - however sensitive - are treated with complete clinical confidentiality. Many women feel anxious before a first pelvic floor appointment; I make it a priority to ensure that everything is explained clearly and that each person feels fully in control throughout.
Pediatric physiotherapy follows current best-practice developmental guidelines. Therapy is always led by the child's comfort and readiness - never forced or rushed. Play-based methods mean that children generally associate physiotherapy with a positive experience rather than a difficult one.
For new mothers still recovering from birth, or families with young children who find travel challenging, appointments can be arranged in a way that suits the family's circumstances. The focus is always on making access to physiotherapy as straightforward as possible during demanding life stages.
Yes, absolutely. Everything discussed and assessed in a women's health consultation is treated with complete clinical confidentiality and in full accordance with DHA privacy standards. Nothing is shared with any third party without explicit consent. Many women feel anxious before a first pelvic floor appointment - please know that these conversations are entirely routine in a physiotherapy context, and there is no reason to feel embarrassed or judged. Each person is always in control of the pace and extent of the assessment.
Pediatric physiotherapy can be relevant from birth. Newborns with torticollis or asymmetric movement patterns, infants who are not reaching developmental milestones, toddlers with gait concerns, school-age children with posture or coordination difficulties, and teenagers recovering from sports injuries can all benefit. There is no minimum age - the earlier a developmental concern is identified, the better the outcome generally tends to be. If a paediatrician has flagged a concern, or if something simply does not feel right, it is always worth seeking a physiotherapy assessment.
For postnatal physiotherapy, a check-in assessment within the first six weeks after delivery is generally recommended - sooner if there is significant pain, heavy leaking, or concerns about a scar. There is no need to wait for the six-week GP check before consulting a physiotherapist. In the very early days, physiotherapy focuses on gentle breathing, pelvic floor awareness, and safe positioning rather than exercise. Progressive strengthening and return-to-activity planning typically begins around six to eight weeks, though this varies based on individual recovery. Early support consistently leads to better long-term outcomes than waiting until symptoms feel severe.
A pediatric physiotherapy assessment begins with a detailed conversation with parents about the child's developmental history, any concerns that have been raised by a paediatrician or teacher, and the family's goals for the assessment. The physiotherapist then observes the child's movement, posture, and functional abilities through age-appropriate activities and play. For infants, this includes observing how they move on the floor and in various positions. The assessment is always guided by the child's comfort, and parents are present and involved throughout. Findings are explained clearly, and any recommended plan is discussed with the family before anything begins.
In Dubai, physiotherapy can be accessed directly without a doctor's referral in most cases. A referral is never required to book a consultation. If the child's paediatrician has written a referral letter, bringing it along is helpful as it provides useful background information - but it is not a requirement. A thorough assessment is conducted from the information gathered during the appointment itself.
I am happy to answer questions about women's health or pediatric physiotherapy before you decide to book. A consultation with Dr. Smruti Rathod is a good starting point.
