Pelvic Floor Therapy: What It Is And What To Expect
Why See A Pelvic Floor Therapist?
Many pelvic floor conditions can be managed and healed without surgery. Seeing a physical or occupational therapist who is trained in pelvic floor health and dysfunction may help you better understand your symptoms. We will design a personalized program to help alleviate your pelvic pain and/or bladder and bowel control through re-training and strengthening your muscles.
The average amount of time a person will see a pelvic floor therapist is for six to eight visits. However, visits do vary based on each patients individual needs, and some people may need to be seen more frequently for their condition to be sufficiently treated.
What To Expect At Your Appointment
The first appointment will include a detailed interview and discussion about your experience, including an account of symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Pelvic floor therapists are trained to be sensitive to how personal and intimate these topics and this part of your body can be. The therapist will then evaluate your posture, back, and hips, explaining along the way what they are noticing and how therapy can help.
To fully assess and understand the dysfunction within the pelvic floor, an internal exam may be recommended. Internal examinations are considered the gold standard of care for assessing full pelvic floor function. Internal examinations help provide a full sense of the strength, flexibility, and function of your pelvic floor muscles, ligaments and fascia. For female bodied individuals, this will be through the vagina (though not with a speculum like a standard pelvic exam). For male bodied, and some female bodied, individuals the exam is done rectally. However, internal exams are not always necessary and will only be completed based on patient need, comfort, and consent. For pediatric patients, internal exams are not performed.
Depending on your condition, appointments may be as frequent as once per week at the start of treatment. After your initial evaluation, your therapist will provide an approximate timeline for your treatment, though rehabilitation and healing is not always predictable. We recommend collaborating with your therapist to set specific treatment goals, such as having comfortable sex, alleviating back pain, managing incontinence, etc.
Frequently Asked Question
Should I attend my appointment, even if I’m menstruating?
Yes! It is still ok to attend your appointment if you are menstruating, and your team can provide extra support for any additional symptoms you may experience during this time of your cycle. An internal exam can still be safely performed if the patient consents, or that portion of the exam can be delayed to another appointment if the patient prefers. We are here to support you and help you, no matter the time of the month!
The Take-Away
During the first appointment, you will receive some initial advice and education. After the second appointment, you will have a more complete treatment plan. This plan may change based on how your body responds, and may include internal soft tissue work and exercises to do at home. Below are some things your therapist might recommend. Some may require the purchase of a tool and/or lubricant for use.
- Pelvic floor exercises to do at home with or without a biofeedback tool
- Trigger point massage to release muscle tension
- Massage of other parts of the body
- Stretching and yoga
- Strength-building exercises
- Nutrition and lifestyle
- Mindfulness, breathing techniques and other pain management methods