Movement is for Everyone: What a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Wants You to Know
It’s Day 2 of Women's Health Week, and today we are talking about movement.
Not the kind that pushes through pain or exhaustion just to tick a box. The kind that actually works for your body, right where it is today.
This year's Women's Health Week theme is Do It Anyway, and we think movement is an important conversation. Because doing it anyway, when it comes to your body and navigating a health challenge, doesn’t have to mean pushing yourself harder. Often it means showing up in a way that feels manageable for you. A walk around the block, a gentle stretch on the floor or five minutes of movement that your body can actually work with.
We sat down with Lissy, a pelvic health physiotherapist, to talk about movement, the pelvic floor, and how women can build confidence in their bodies, especially when movement has felt complicated or painful.
What she shared was honest, practical, and full of things we think every woman deserves to hear. Watch the full conversation below, and keep reading for our key takeaways.
Movement doesn't have to look a certain way
One of the most important things Lissy wants women to know is that movement is for everyone. Whether you love exercise, you are getting back into it after a break, or you are living with pain or fatigue, there is a version of movement that is right for you.
It doesn’t need to be structured or intense. Walking, stretching, swimming, dancing, Pilates, gentle mobility work. All of it counts and all of it supports your energy, your mood, your strength, your sleep and your long-term health.
The goal is not perfection. It’s finding something your body can work with and building from there.
What Lissy wants every woman to know about her pelvic floor
Pelvic floor concerns are really common and they are not something women should just put up with.
Bladder leakage when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise. Pelvic pain or pressure during movement. Pain during or after sex. Bowel changes that are affecting your daily life. These are things so many women quietly manage for years, assuming it is just part of being a woman.
We’re here to tell you that it’s not.
A pelvic health physiotherapist can help you understand how your muscles are working and build a movement practice that feels safe and supportive for your body. If any of these symptoms feel familiar, it is worth having a conversation with your GP about a referral.
Moving with pain or fatigue
If you are managing pelvic pain or fatigue, movement can sometimes feel daunting. Lissy's advice is to work with your cycle rather than against it.
At different points in the month you might feel more comfortable with gentle mobility and stretching. At other times you might feel ready for something a little more. There is no one size fits all. The key is listening to your body and building movement in a way that feels good for you, not just achievable for someone else.
When movement feels painful
If movement is causing pain, that’s a signal worth paying attention to. Pain during exercise, pelvic pressure, or symptoms that are getting worse over time are things worth talking to a health professional about.
You do not need to know what is wrong before you ask for help. A simple conversation with your GP can open the door to the right support.
If you are experiencing any of the following it might be worth getting checked out:
Leaking when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or exercise
Pelvic pain or pressure during movement
Pain during or after sex
A feeling of heaviness or dragging in the pelvis
Bowel or bladder changes affecting your daily life
Pain that is getting worse over time rather than better
Avoiding movement because of pain or fear of leaking
Be the first to get our free Women's Health Guide
This blog is part of our Women's Health Week 2026 series. Throughout the week we are exploring five themes that matter for every woman's health, Fuel, Move, Rest, Breathe, and Connect.
On Saturday we are launching our free Magnolia Health Women's Health Guide, bringing together everything from the week and so much more into one practical, easy to use resource. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know when it drops.
About Lissy
Lissy is a pelvic health physiotherapist and founder of The Pelvic Health Physio, based on the Sunshine Coast. You can connect with Lissy and the team here.
This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional. Please speak with your GP or a qualified health professional about what is right for you.