About us
We are Wellington’s only clinic that focuses exclusively on pelvic health, with over 25 years experience.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy was established by Liz Childs. It has grown substantially and Liz now has a carefully chosen team of dedicated and passionate pelvic health physiotherapists committed to providing personalised, expert treatment for their patients.
Staff attend courses and conferences, along with regular inhouse training, to ensure they all provide up to date and consistent evidence-based treatment. You can be sure that whoever you see, you will get the same quality care.
Left to right: Sarah Boyle, Stephanie Hansen, Liz Childs, Kate Freeman
(see below for further details)
Our Staff
Sarah Boyle
Sarah is highly experienced, having worked in women’s health since 2007, in both Australia and New Zealand. She was a member of the Women’s Health team at Wellington Hospital for many years and joined Liz at Pelvic Health Physiotherapy in 2017. Sarah presents regularly at antenatal classes.
Her areas of expertise include:
- pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction
- pregnancy and post-natal work
- bladder, bowel and prolapse issues
- pre and postoperative gynaecological treatment
- advice on safe exercise options to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction
Sarah also works with children who have bladder or bowel problems.
Stephanie Hansen
Stephanie is an experienced physiotherapist who has undertaken extensive women’s health study overseas and is up to date with research in the area. She is also a Yoga and Pilates
teacher. As an active sports woman herself, Stephanie has a keen interest in ensuring safe return to exercise for women of all ages – be it high level, or taking a walk.
Stephanie’s areas of expertise include:
- rehabilitation after surgery
- safe return to exercise for women after childbirth or surgery
- care of pregnant and post-natal patients
- prolapse, bladder and bowel dysfunction
- pelvic and sexual pain issues
Kate Freeman
Kate joined out team in 2019, after completing her pelvic health training. She has a special interest in pelvic pain, as well as general pelvic health issues – including bladder and bowel problems, prolapse, pregnancy and postnatal care. She is also highly skilled in post-operative care.
Kate, like the rest of us, is passionate about what she does. We all love being part of a team, and we’re all committed to continue furthering our knowledge, and help make positive changes to people’s lives.
Sophie Ryan
Sophie is an experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist who has worked extensively with high level dancers.
She has had a long interest in pelvic health, and commenced her mentorship and training under Liz Childs in 2021, and in 2022 she became a part of the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy team.
Sophie treats all pelvic floor related conditions including bladder concerns and pre and post-natal checks. She has a particular interest in treating clients with:
- Pelvic pain, including endometriosis
- Hypermobility
- Bladder urgency
- Sexual dysfunction / dyspareunia / vaginismus
Elaine Clisham
Originally hailing from Scotland, Elaine moved to New Zealand in 2019. Here she has worked in private practice, FPC female rugby and with the New Zealand Defense Force. She has gained experience in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, and since 2022 has focused her learning on pelvic health.
Elaine enjoys supporting people in Aotearoa with all pelvic health issues including
- Bladder problems
- Bowel issues
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pre-natal and post-natal care
Liz Childs
Liz has been practising pelvic physiotherapy since 2002, being the first private pelvic health physio in Wellington to work in this area. She remains passionate about helping people with pelvic health problems – treating women, men and gender diverse patients.
Liz completed postgraduate pelvic floor study at the University of Melbourne. She speaks regularly at conferences, gives presentations to health professionals, lectures to midwifery students at the Victoria University, and teaches at the University of Otago Medical School in Wellington. She is on the National Executive of Continence New Zealand, and co-authored “The Pregnancy Guide” – available free to download here
Liz’s particular skills and expertise include treatment of:
- Pelvic and sexual pain, including those with previous trauma
- Pregnancy and postnatal problems, including birth trauma and birth injuries
- Prolapse – pelvic floor training, and fitting of vaginal pessaries
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Breathing pattern disorders, stress and anxiety
- Post-operative rehab – gynae and prostate surgery
Contact us today!
If you have any questions or queries please drop us a line!