Articles & Posts by Healthia Marketing

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By Alex Hansford-Smith

Fatigue is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — symptoms experienced by people living with hypermobility syndromes and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

Many people describe feeling completely drained by tasks that others seem to do effortlessly. Showering, grocery shopping, standing in the kitchen, attending work, or even holding a conversation can sometimes feel overwhelming. For many, this exhaustion has existed for years before a diagnosis is ever considered.

Unfortunately, people are often told they are “just stressed”, “unfit”, “anxious”, or simply need to push through. In many cases however, there is a genuine physiological reason behind these symptoms.

At Mornington Peninsula Family Physiotherapy, we regularly work with people experiencing hypermobility syndromes, autonomic dysfunction, persistent fatigue and chronic pain to help improve function, confidence and quality of life. Read more

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By Matthew Ott

Dizziness, vertigo and balance problems can significantly affect daily life — impacting confidence, mobility, driving, exercise and even simple movements such as rolling over in bed or turning your head quickly.

For many people, these symptoms originate from the vestibular system — the part of the inner ear responsible for balance and spatial awareness.

At Mornington Peninsula Family Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists provide evidence-based vestibular assessment and rehabilitation to help identify the cause of dizziness and guide recovery safely and effectively.

What Is the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system is located within the inner ear and helps the brain process:

  • Balance
  • Head movement
  • Eye coordination
  • Spatial orientation
  • Stability during movement

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By Matthew Ott

Neck pain and headaches are among the most common musculoskeletal complaints experienced by adults — and for many people, the two occur together.

What’s often overlooked is the significant role the neck can play in triggering or aggravating headache symptoms.

At Mornington Peninsula Family Physiotherapy, we regularly assess patients whose headaches are influenced by neck dysfunction, posture, muscle overload or prolonged sustained positions. Read more

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By Matthew Ott

Jaw pain, facial tension, clicking, headaches and neck stiffness are more connected than many people realise. For many individuals, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction doesn’t occur in isolation — it often coexists with neck pain, headaches, posture-related strain and muscle overload.

At Mornington Peninsula Family Physiotherapy, we regularly assess and treat TMJ-related pain using evidence-based physiotherapy approaches designed to reduce pain, restore movement and improve long-term function.

What Is TMJ Dysfunction?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull and plays an essential role in speaking, chewing and everyday movement.

When the joint, surrounding muscles or associated structures become overloaded or irritated, this can lead to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) — a common condition affecting jaw function and facial comfort. Read more

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By Rhona Guerin

Pelvic health symptoms are not always purely mechanical. The nervous system plays a major role in how the pelvic floor behaves.

Stress, both acute and chronic, can significantly influence bladder, bowel, and pelvic pain symptoms.

The connection

The pelvic floor is closely linked to the autonomic nervous system the part of your body that regulates threat, safety, and recovery.

When stress is high, the body often shifts into a protective state:

  • Increased muscle tone or guarding
  • Heightened bladder urgency
  • Increased bowel sensitivity
  • Amplification of pain signals

This is not “in your head”. It is a normal physiological response. Read more

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By Rhona Guerin

Urinary leakage during exercise is common, but it is not something you should accept as normal.

Many women are told to “just do more pelvic floor exercises” or to simply wear protection and push through. While pelvic floor strength is part of the picture, this explanation is overly simplistic and often misses the real issue: load management, pressure control, and coordination.

What’s actually happening?

Bladder leakage during movement is usually a pressure management issue. When you run, jump, lift, or change direction, your body needs to balance pressure inside the abdomen with the ability of the pelvic floor and deep abdominal system to respond in time.

If that system is delayed, under-recruited, or overloaded, leakage can occur.

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By Rhona Guerin

 

The postpartum period is often framed around “getting back” to exercise. A more helpful approach is thinking about rebuilding capacity step by step.

Your body has gone through significant change — hormonal, musculoskeletal, neurological, and fascial. Recovery is not just about time passing, but how progressively you reintroduce load.

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By Isabella Foster

Women have distinct movement needs that change throughout the lifespan and life stage, shaped by hormonal shifts, biological adaptations, load demands and more.

At MPFP, our team is made up of clinicians with experience across all phases and body areas, combining musculoskeletal and pelvic health focus to address women’s needs in a multifaceted approach.
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By Rhona Guerin

Have you ever leaked a little urine when you coughed or exercised? Felt a sense of heaviness or dragging in the pelvis by the end of the day? Or struggled with discomfort during intimacy but felt unsure who to talk to? These are some of the most common questions I hear in clinic.

Many women (and men) quietly wonder if what they’re experiencing is “normal,” especially after pregnancy, surgery, or as they move through different life stages. Pelvic floor dysfunction is common — but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. And you are absolutely not alone.

The pelvic floor plays a vital role in bladder and bowel control, support of pelvic organs, sexual function, and core stability. When it’s not working optimally, it can affect daily comfort, confidence, and quality of life. The encouraging news? In most cases, pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable.

With the right assessment and guidance through Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, symptoms can significantly improve — often without surgery or medication.

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By Kathryn Duke

Heart health doesn’t have to be complicated!

One of the most powerful ways to look after your heart is simply to move your body. You don’t need to climb a mountain, join a gym, or become a triathlete (unless you want to!). Heart-healthy movement can be as simple as increasing your daily steps, parking a little further away, or standing up from your chair a few extra times each day. Every bit adds up.

The most important thing to remember is that you can start improving your heart health today. Small, consistent changes to how much you move can have a big impact over time, helping you feel more energetic, capable, and confident in your body.

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