About
About Gemma
I am a specialist charted Womens Health Physiotherapist who is skilled and passionate about helping restore optimum health and happiness back into women’s lives. I believe all women deserve the right to understand all aspects of their pelvic health from puberty through to pregnancy, post menopause and beyond so that they can truly live their best lives with confidence. Pelvic health conditions are incredibly common affecting most women at some stage of their lives. Once a taboo subject, pelvic floor issues including urinary stress and urge incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual discomfort and hormonal concerns are thankfully being talked about and awareness raised into how we can help.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of these conditions and I am dedicated to help women fully understand their condition via my bespoke, holistic and whole body approach to treatment. I enjoy treating all aspects of pelvic health and in particular helping those maintain health and comfort throughout pregnancy, return to optimum function and fitness post-natally and those seeking help with pelvic pain including conditions such as vulvodynia, vaginismus and endometriosis.
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I graduated from the University of Brighton in 1998 with an honors degree in Physiotherapy and it was whilst working at ‘The Royal Free’ hospital, London in 2000 that I was first introduced into the field of womens health. Over the years that followed I gained valuable experience working not only in obstetrics and gynaecology but within a wide variety of specialisms including musculoskeletal, orthopaedics and oncology, all which have enabled me to enhance my skill set and fully understand my clients history. I have worked at ‘The Royal Marsden’ in London, private hospital ‘Parkside’ in Wimbledon as well as numerous private clinics in London and Surrey and Kent. Over the past 10 to 12 years I have focused solely on pelvic health and after having my 3 children set up my own clinic ‘GP Physiotherapy’ based in Nutfield, Surrey.
I have completed many women’s health post-graduate qualifications including: abdominal visceral manipulation, prolapse and stress incontinence, advanced pelvic floor manual therapy, pelvic pain, treating the female athlete and runners, have trained in specific womens health acupuncture, Pilates and pregnancy ‘Birthlight’ yoga as well as becoming a ‘Mummy MOT’ practitioner. I have spoken and been part of the BSGE annual conference (British Society for Gynecological Endoscopy) as well as being involved and speaking numerous times at a training programme for endometriosis nurse specialists about the importance of Physiotherapy in the treatment of endometriosis and pelvic pain.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family and friends in the outdoors, cooking, especially baking and travel when global pandemic allow us!
Gemma is a member of:
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The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
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The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
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The Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Society (POGP).
“Thank you for all your help and advice – I was quite upset and embarrassed when I first met you but you put me at my ease and made me feel confident that this was possible to deal with and that has certainly proved to be the case”
What is a Womens Health Physio?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is a specialist area of physiotherapy treating all problems relating to the pelvis and pelvic floor. It has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of these conditions and I am dedicated to help women fully understand their condition via my bespoke, holistic and whole body approach to treatment. I enjoy treating all aspects of pelvic health and in particular helping those maintain health and comfort throughout pregnancy, return to optimum function and fitness post-natally and those seeking help with pelvic pain including conditions such as vulvodynia, vaginismus and endometriosis.
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As many as 1 in 3 women experience pelvic floor issues at some stage in their lives, and I feel passionate that these women be cared for by a specialised physiotherapist who can appropriately assess, diagnose and treat with the expertise, time and empathy that these patients deserve to help overcome their problems.
I have over 15 years of experience in treating a wide range of gynaecological and obstetric (pregnancy) related conditions including:
- Bladder problems (leaking and/or the frequent and urgent need to empty your bladder)
- Bowel issues including incontinence, urgency and constipation
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Sexual dysfunction and/or pain with intercourse
- Pelvic girdle pain
- Pelvic floor pain
- Pre/post natal conditions including low, mid back and pelvic pain, rib pain, joint pain and postural issues
- Diastasis Rectus Abdominus (tummy gap)
- Before and after gynaecological surgeries such as hysterectomy and repair
- Endometriosis
- Chronic pelvic pain
I also have a particular interest in post-operative rehabilitation following breast surgery such as lumpectomies and mastectomy with or without the DIEP and TRAM flap reconstructions.
Testimonials
What clients say about Gemma…
“Your service and care today was absolutely outstanding, thank you so much for your time and teaching and reassuring me so much”.
Rachel | Pregnancy
“Thanks so much for today…such an interesting and empowering time understanding my body and what’s going on…really helpful! “
Tracy | Peri-Menopause
Thank you for your kindness and care during this tricky time for me. You have been totally invaluable to me and an enormous help and support. Thank you so much!!’
Anon | Prolapse
“I highly recommend Gemma for the Mummy MOT. She is warm, knowledgeable and compassionate and is holistic in her approach. I had a great experience working with her through assessment and clear guidance which I found very reassuring and immensely helpful as I work towards my goals. Thank you Gemma “
Rebeka | Mummy MOT
“It was lovely to see you again today Gemma, thank you so much for all your help. I think you’re amazing! Will recommend you, I already have done. I honestly feel so much better now and like myself again. I am very grateful, thank you x”
Laura
“Gemma is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what she does. This comes across in the way she cares for her patients and encourages them however, difficult the condition. She goes that extra mile which is rarely seen these days. Thank you for all your support”
Helen
“Gemma put me at ease straight away with her professionalism, warmth and encouragement. I was so worried I was going to be stuck with a significant diastasis recti but following her guidance and exercise she set, I saw significant improvements within a few weeks. Now Im back to practising yoga and running half marathons! Can’t recommend her enough.”
Jess | Diastasis
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She gave me the confidence to get back to normal life (physically and mentally, albeit slowly but her support was invaluable. I followed her exercises religiously and they really made a difference quite quickly, which was life changing for me. Gemma is a brilliant physio with fantastic knowledge, but extremely friendly and makes you feel very comfortable-couldn’t recommend more”
Rosie | Diastasis
“Following the birth of my first child during the pandemic I suffered with birth trauma and ptsd. Finding Gemma and going for my mummy mot was the first thing after all the trauma that finally made me feel OK and like I was being listened to! Gemma has a kind, caring, informative, empathetic and just all round lovely energy that makes you feel instantly at ease.
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Anon | Mummy MOT
Google Reviews
I was made to feel comfortable and the information and follow up exercises were all accompanied with an email relaying the important factors..
I would not hesitate to recommend this very professional lady.
Thank you so much Gemma for my Mummy MOT.
A first time mum wanting to feel heard & looked after- And you went above and beyond to achieve this in just one appointment!
You were welcoming, knowledgeable, relatable, patient, reassuring and most of all showed genuine care...which was so comforting as a first time Mum still feeling a little vulnerable.
Thank you for providing me with steps & resources to enable more of an enjoyable post- partum journey moving forward to be more in the moment with my little girl🩷
You really have no idea how much of a positive impact you have made...I really would encourage any Mum to come along and see you!
I look forward to seeing you again soon for my follow up appointment 😊
%
…of post-menopausal women will experience symptoms of pelvic floor disorders including bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction
Hillard, 2020
%
…of pregnant women are affected by symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain which can occur at any stage during or after pregnancy
(PGP) Pelvic Partnership
%
…of women suffer urinary incontinence 7 years postnatally.
Wilson et al, 2002
%
…of women state that pelvic floor related issues are a barrier to them exercising
Dakic et al 2021
%
…of post-menopausal women will experience symptoms of pelvic floor disorders including bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction
Hillard, 2020
%
…of pregnant women are affected by symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain which can occur at any stage during or after pregnancy
(PGP) Pelvic Partnership
%
…of women suffer urinary incontinence 7 years postnatally.
Wilson et al, 2002
%
…of women state that pelvic floor related issues are a barrier to them exercising
Dakic et al 2021