Health & Wellness

• The information contained here covers lifestyle, diet, and nutrition. It is important, however, that you do not self-prescribe vitamin and herbal supplements as not all agree with every individual. See a qualified specialist who can recommend the correct dosage of vitamins, nutrients and herbal supplements for your body.
• This information has been written for information only to assist the reader in identifying lifestyle factors that can improve the quality of their health. The reader acts alone, and SWWC and its employees do not accept any responsibility whatsoever for anything arising as a result of the contents of this information. Do not discontinue taking any medication without first consulting your GP or health practitioner.
• Nina Parnham – Suffolk Woman’s Wellness cannot accept responsibility for any consequences, medical, psychological, financial of otherwise arising out of failure to seek medical advice from a doctor or qualified specialists in the field of nutrition, medicine and health.
• All material, information and/or advice made available to you may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. None of the information contained here are a recommendation as to how to treat any disease, health problem or health related condition. Nor have any Materials been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Standards Agency (FSA), the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) or any other Government or medical body in the UK. The Materials do not supersede any advice given by any qualified medical practitioner, dietician or nutritionist.
• Please do not use the information to diagnose any illness or disease. If you suspect you may have a health condition directly or indirectly related to pregnancy or post-pregnancy such as (but not restricted to) Hernia; Prolapse; severe or irreparable Diastasis Recti; Sacro-iliac pain; Sciatica, Symphysis Pubis Joint Separation; Pelvic Pain or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, urinary or faecal incontinence, or Postnatal Depression you should consult with a medical healthcare professional BEFORE embarking on ANY exercise program.
• SWWC and its employees make no promises, assurances, warranties and/or representations that the services (or any part of them) will treat, control or cure any disease, health problem or health related condition. The information contained here is not a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis and/or medical treatment provided by your doctor, healthcare provider, nutritionist or dietician.
• If you think you may be suffering from any disease, health problem or health related condition you should seek prompt medical attention from your doctor, healthcare provider, nutritionist or dietician. You acknowledge that you will not delay seeking or disregard medical advice or discontinue any medical treatment because of the information provided to you by Mama Wellness.
• SWWC and its employees cannot accept responsibility for any consequences, medical, psychological, financial of otherwise arising out of failure to seek medical advice from a doctor or qualified specialists in the field of nutrition, medicine or other areas mentioned in this members section.

Mummy MOT Assessments

Part of a Mummy MOT for the postnatal client is an offering of a vaginal examination. Please consider if you wish for this to be part of your assessment and inform your practitioner at the time of the appointment. Please read the consent information below, to help inform your decision.

An internal examination is sometimes required as part of your assessment. This examination enables the physical therapist to fully assess your pelvic floor muscles, prolapse or pain. It is also an excellent way for the physical therapist to assess if you are contracting your pelvic floor muscles correctly. An internal examination involves the examiner inserting a gloved finger (sometimes 2 fingers) into the vagina. At all times the therapist will take great care to be gentle, but it is important for you to inform the therapist what you are feeling. It is OK to have an internal examination during your menstrual cycle. It is not compulsory to have an internal examination.

The following statements are for you to agree and give verbal and signed consent, at the time of treatment:

I acknowledge and understand that I have been referred for evaluation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor dysfunctions include, but are not limited to, urinary or faecal incontinence; difficulty with bowel, bladder, or sexual functions; painful scars after childbirth or surgery; persistent sacroiliac or low back pain; or pelvic pain conditions. I understand that to evaluate my condition it may be necessary, initially and periodically, to have my therapist perform and internal pelvic floor muscle examination. This examination is performed by observing and/or palpating the perineal region including the vagina. This evaluation will assess skin condition, reflexes, muscle tone, length, strength and endurance, scar mobility, and function of the pelvic floor region. Treatment may include, but not be limited to, the following: observation, palpation, stretching and strengthening exercises, soft tissue and/or joint mobilisation, and educational instruction. 1. The purpose, risks, and benefits of this evaluation have been explained to me. 2. I understand that I can terminate the procedure at any time. 3. I understand that I am responsible for immediately telling the examiner if I am having any discomfort or unusual symptoms during the evaluation. 4. I have the option of having a second person present in the room during the procedure.

• Informed Consent for Treatment: The term “informed consent” means that the potential risk, benefits, and alternatives of therapy evaluation and treatment have been explained to you. The therapist provides a wide range of services and I understand that I will receive information at the initial visit concerning the evaluation, treatment and options available for my condition. I also acknowledge and understand that I have been referred for evaluation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, as described above.
• Potential Risks: I may experience an increase in my current level of pain or discomfort, or an aggravation of my existing injury. This discomfort is usually temporary; if it does not subside in 1-3 days, I agree to contact my therapist. Potential Benefits may include an improvement in my symptoms and an increased in my ability to perform my daily activities. I may experience increased strength, awareness, flexibility and endurance in my movements. I may experience decreased pain and discomfort. I should gain a greater knowledge about managing my condition and the resources available to me.
• Alternatives: If I do not wish to participate in the therapy program, I will discuss my medical, surgical or pharmacological alternatives with my doctor or primary care provider.
• Release of Medical Records: I authorise the release of my medical records to my doctor/primary care provider or insurance company.
• Cooperation with Treatment: I understand that for therapy to be effective, I must come as scheduled unless there are unusual circumstances that prevent me from attending therapy. I agree to cooperate with and carry out the home program assigned to me. If I have difficulty with any part of my treatment program, I will discuss it with my therapist.
•  No Warranty: I understand that the physical therapist cannot make any promises or guarantees regarding a cure for or improvement in my condition. I understand that my therapist will share with me her opinions regarding potential results of physical therapy treatment for my condition and will discuss all treatment options with me before I consent to treatment. I have informed my therapist of any condition that would limit my ability to have an evaluation or to be treated. I hereby request and consent to the evaluation and treatment to be provided by the therapists.

***If you are pregnant, have an infection of any kind, have vaginal dryness, are less than 6 weeks postpartum or post-surgery, have severe pelvic pain, sensitivity to lubricant, vaginal creams or latex, please inform the therapist prior to the pelvic floor assessment.

Aftercare Advice Following Internal Pelvic Health Assessment

• Following a pelvic assessment and examination you may feel tenderness, discomfort or pain, which may be due to the treatment of gentle stretching of the pelvic floor muscles. This should pass within 1-3 days. If pain or discomfort persists, then please contact me or your GP.
• Please carry out the prescribed exercises and stretches to help assist in your recovery/improvement of symptoms.
• Drink plenty of filtered/bottled water and nourish your body with lots of natural foods, vegetables, fruits, clean protein sources and healthy fats (omega 3).
• Get enough rest. Studies have shown that we need 8 hours sleep to rejuvenate our endocrine system, assist in our detoxification process and repair our bodies on a cellular level.

Massage Therapies

• In signing the pre-screen for massage therapies, you have answered honestly the questions detailed in the questionnaire and given full disclosure of health and any medical conditions affecting you. You acknowledge and understand that SWWC specialists must be fully aware of any existing medical conditions. The information you have provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge.
• If you have a specific medical condition or specific symptoms for which treatments or physical activity may be contraindicated, a referral from your primary care provider may be required before services are provided.
•  It is your responsibility to keep SWWC specialists updated on my medical history and understand and agree that there shall be no liability on the practitioner’s part should you fail to do so.
• You understand that the SWWC therapist is providing massage therapy services within their scope of practice as defined by the qualifications attained.
• You hereby consent for your therapist to treat you with massage and/or therapy for the noted purposes including such assessments, examinations and techniques, which may be recommended, by your therapist.
• You acknowledge that the therapist is not a physician and does not diagnose illness, disease, or any other physical or mental disorder.
• You clearly understand that massage therapy is not a substitute for a medical examination. It is recommended that you attend my health care provider for any ailments that you may be experiencing. You acknowledge that no assurance or guarantee has been provided to me as to the results of the treatment.
• You are undertaking this therapy entirely at your own risk and that SWWC and its practitioners shall not be liable in any way for injury or loss that might occur as a result of your engagement with services.
• You confirm my consent to treatment and intend this consent to cover the treatment discussed with you and such additional treatment as proposed by your therapist, to deal with my physical condition and for which you have sought treatment.
• You understand that at any time, you may withdraw my consent and treatment will be stopped. If you experience any pain or discomfort during the session, you will immediately inform the therapist so that the pressure and/or massage may be adjusted to your level of comfort.

Fitness Sessions and Active Assessments

• You hereby confirm that you are voluntarily engaging in an acceptable level of exercise that has been recommended to you. You understand that you should seek medical advice from your health care provider if you are in any doubt about your physical ability to take part in physical activity.
• You consent to the trainer/assessor using manual palpation techniques to determine areas in your body that are displaying tension, restrictions, underlying pathology.
• You understand that you should inform your instructor if your health changes in any way from the information you have detailed in your pre-screen.
• You acknowledge you are undertaking physical activity entirely at your own risk and that SWWC and its coaches shall not be liable in any way for injury or loss that might occur as a result of your participation.