What to Expect with Pelvic Floor PT: Not Just “Kegels”

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy involves a comprehensive assessment, including a thorough history taking, orthopedic evaluation, internal examination if you would like and PT thinks is appropriate to gain more information, and discussion about your individual goals and treatment options. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be useful for many individuals including throughout pregnancy, postpartum, post pelvic surgery, individuals with dyspareunia, individuals with stress or urge incontinence and those with pelvic pain/discomfort.

Once you arrive for your appointment we will have a 15-30 minute discussion about your history including pregnancies, labors, births, pelvic pain and symptoms, incontinence or leakage, and any orthopedic history (history of hip surgery or injuries...we need to know!) while developing a rapport and getting to know each other.  Your pelvic floor physical therapist wants to know everything, nothing is TMI.

Going forward the physical therapist will conduct an orthopedic assessment looking at things like range motion, strength and functional movement patterns.  If the physical therapist believes an internal assessment would be helpful to both her and you to develop a treatment plan and objective measures going forward she will discuss with the entails. Your willingness and comfort to participate in the internal exam are paramount. You have the right to choose what part of the exam you are comfortable with and the therapist will always explain the process.

Once a full assessment is completed your physical therapist will develop your individualized  treatment plan and help you get started with some exercises, stretches, and techniques to help address your needs and meet your goals.   These could involve some partner work, a bladder diary, pelvic contractions, pelvic relaxations (or both), core work and general orthopedic mobility (the hip, core and pelvic floor are intimately related).   You will likely be asked to schedule a follow in the next 1-2 weeks so that your care can be streamlined and tailored to you as best as possible. 

At Bespoke Physical Therapy all of our sessions are conducted in a private room 1-on-1 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Dr. Holli is a Herman and Wallace trained pelvic floor PT as well as pregnancy and post-partum rehabilitation. Dr. Cassie is trained in pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation.  If you think pelvic floor PT may be appropriate for you, we invite you to set up a free discovery call with Dr. Holli or Dr. Cassie and see if we would be a good fit in helping you achieve your goals.

written by: Dr. Holli Utama, DPT