Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Women's Health Physical Therapy

Did you know that pelvic floor (PF) physical therapy is a thing?

What is it like, you ask?  It is truly physical therapy for your pelvic floor. 

But what does that mean?  It means that you should go to a pelvic floor physical therapist, first of all.  Not someone who says, I don’t have specific training but I know what the pelvic floor is…

There are specific pelvic floor courses that therapists should have and actual certifications that one can get on the topic.  It’s like going to see a neurologist or orthopedist vs. a family medicine MD.  You see what I’m getting at?

What should I expect?  When you see a PF therapist for an actual PF issue, you should expect a PF exam.  Just as you would expect to have your knee looked at and palpated for a knee issue, the PF must be palpated and looked at for a PF issue.  Now there can be exceptions for this in special cases (abuse etc…) but generally expect to undress and have a thorough exam.  It is not with a speculum, but with the therapist’s (gloved) finger.  No one can tell you if you’re kegeling correctly unless they’ve felt what you can do…literally. 

Is it only for kegel training?  Nope…that may be a part of it; however, it also could be for pelvic floor pain, constipation, pain with intercourse, pressure, prolapse etc.  BUT, if you do need to work on your kegel, your therapist will give you specific amounts with both holds and no holds that are based on what you actually can do (hint, it’s not 100 or 1000 reps/day).

If you’re having any kind of pelvic floor problem, see a pelvic floor physical therapist.  You never know what changes can be made until you try!