What is pelvic floor PT?
A pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the pelvic opening that control bowel, bladder, and sexual function. Pelvic PT focuses on the evaluation and treatment of those muscles.
What kinds of conditions can pelvic floor PT treat?
- Urinary incontinence
- Pelvic pain
- Constipation
- Pain with sex
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Low back or pelvic pain during pregnancy
- Urinary urgency and frequency
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Diastasis recti
What does it entail?
Just like any PT session, Pelvic PT begins with a history taking. We gather information about how long you have been having the issue as well as pertinent medical history and procedures. The PT will typically do a movement screen and look at the motion and function of your back, hips, and core. If it is indicated and you are in agreement, the PT will perform an assessment of the pelvic floor muscles. This can be done intravaginally or rectally with a gloved, lubricated finger. We never perform an internal assessment if it is not indicated medically or if you are not comfortable. There are many treatments that we can discuss and plan without internal examination. After the assessment, we come up with a treatment plan. This may entail relaxation or coordination of the pelvic floor muscles with breathing, strengthening, or manual therapy to the muscles themselves. It may also involve coordination or strengthening of the muscles that work with the pelvic floor such as the abdominals, the glutes, the hips, and the inner thighs.
I’ve had these issues for years. Can PT really help?
Even if you’ve been told it’s “normal” there is a lot that PT can help with even long after having a baby, or surgery, or dealing with pain for years.
Isn’t PT just for the really really bad cases?
Nope! We treat pelvic floor problems of all severity levels from childbirth injury or surgical rehab to minor discomfort with sex, or leakage with heavy exercise.
Is pelvic floor therapy just for women?
No. While pelvic floor therapy is often referred to as “women’s health therapy”, the truth is that all genders can suffer from injury or dysfunction in this area. The damage to the structure of muscles that form the pelvic wall can affect anyone in a variety of ways.
Can pelvic floor physical therapy help me after gender-affirming surgery?
Yes! All of these surgical procedures involve significant changes to surrounding tissue – including muscles and nerves – possibly resulting in pain or dysfunction. A trans-informed pelvic floor physical therapist is trained to help you address these impairments after surgery, speeding recovery and reducing pain.
Gender affirmation surgical procedures include:
- Vaginoplasty
- Breast augmentation or feminizing augmentation mammoplasty
- Chest reconstruction or chest masculinization surgery
- Hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy
- Metoidioplasty
- Phalloplasty