What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is similar in many ways to orthopedic physical therapy with some differences.
Pelvic floor physical therapy treats diagnoses such as:
Urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency
Bladder pain
Pelvic pain and prudendal nerve pain
Pain with sex
Vaginismus
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pregnancy or postpartum related conditions such as diastasis recti, c-section recovery
Pubic symphysis pain
SIJ pain
Pelvic floor related back pain
PFPT is a minimally invasive treatment option that should be used as a first-line method for treating the above diagnosis. PFPT involves pelvic floor muscle strengthening, relaxation, and coordination. The pelvic floor muscles support and control normal urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.
On the day of your pelvic floor evaluation, you will be brought into a private treatment room and your PT will go over your medical history, symptoms, and functional limitations. Your PT will then perform a physical exam, which can consist of an external and internal component as needed.
External exam: Your PT will assess your lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, and muscles that surround and attach to the pelvis. They will assess all the structures that can have an influence on your pelvic floor including your abdominals and screen for diastasis recti.
Internal Exam: If indicated and given consent, your PT will assess your pelvic floor muscles for tone, elasticity, pain and tenderness using a glove, lubricant and 1 finger vaginally. Your PT will examine your ability to voluntarily contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles and evaluate your strength and endurance.
After your PT has completed the assessment they will discuss the probable causes and recommend a treatment plan.