Pelvic Floor Therapy: What To Expect

Mar 13

On the previous blog, we discussed what a pelvic floor therapy evaluation at my office in Lancaster, OH might entail (you can find that here).

You may be seeking pelvic floor therapy for:

diastasis recti
prolapse
leaking pee with cough/sneeze/exercise
sudden urges to go pee/poop
pain with sex
fertility care
birth prep
postpartum rehab.

It is normal to be reluctant to schedule an appointment when you aren't sure of all the details.

Pelvic floor therapy treatment techniques

As I mentioned, there are many different symptoms that may bring you to pelvic floor therapy so no two treatments look the same. I know, that can sound like a pretty cliché answer but it is true!

Everyone has different goals, life style and physical symptoms! However, I wanted to share some of the key treatment techniques used in my office.

Patient Education

I believe that providing my patients with education related to their symptoms, how it may be impacting them and why I am choosing a certain treatment technique provides the patient autonomy over their care.

Patients should feel like they understand the "why" rather than doing something because a provider told them they should. I also think that women often are not informed about their bodies due to lack of education on the topic! I will not get on my soap box on that one...for now!!

Corrective Exercise

Once we have an idea on what may be driving your symptoms, finding corrective exercises can help to change your symptoms.

In my practice, I don't just consider the pelvic floor, but rather the body as a whole system. So exercises may range from a thoracic mobility, core or pelvic floor exercise or even an ankle mobility exercise and everything in between.

I also think it is important to have realistic expectations with my patients and provide them with exercises that they feel like they can and will complete. So for some patients this looks like including weights and for others it looks more like stretching and relaxation poses.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy can include things such as scar massage to work on healed scar tissue, myofascial release work, gentle joint mobilizations and soft tissue or visceral mobilizations. Again, this is dependent on the patients and their specific symptoms. Not all of these treatments are completed with every patient.

Lifestyle Modifications

I know, I know... no one wants to be told what to do. However, I think it is my job to provide my patients with the current facts and then let them make the decision (without scolding or judgement!!).

Some common lifestyle modifications we discuss are water and fiber intake, stress management, sleep habits and ergonomics (at work or home).

Listening

Providing pelvic floor therapy to my patients is my passion! I love helping women solve their issues so they can get back to the activities that they love without pain, fear or embarrassment!

Often times, I am the first provider to listen to their story or ask the right questions. I believe my patients know the most about their body so I take what they say seriously!

Want to learn more?

Seeking treatment for pelvic floor therapy can be stressful but it is a priority of mine to ensure that I make my sessions as stress-free as possible.

I have offices located in Lancaster and Columbus, Ohio. If you're interested in learning if pelvic floor therapy can address your symptoms, you can: