What is pelvic floor physiotherapy?
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that attach from your pubic bone to your tailbone. They function to support your internal organs, assist in stability of the spine, hips and pelvis, control bladder and bowel functions and help with sexual function. Dysfunction of the pelvic floor can be caused by injury, surgery, pregnancy, menopause, infections, stress, muscular imbalances, and other factors. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help determine the cause of this dysfunction and provide education, manual treatment and exercises that can help maximize your function, increase your motor control and improve your quality of life.
How can it help?
Your physiotherapist will use manual therapy and even machines to help stretch, relax or strengthen your pelvic floor. They will also give you exercises to do both in clinic and at home, provide you with education that can help you understand what is happening in your body and give you tips that you can incorporate into your daily lives to help with your symptoms and maximize your function.
What can we treat?
Currently our physiotherapist is certified to treat females with urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. There are many different types of urinary incontinence that results from weak, tight or over-stressed pelvic floor muscles. Your pelvic floor physiotherapist can help determine which type you may have and provide you with a tailored treatment plan that can help.
Meet Our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
FAQs
What should I expect?
On your first visit, your physiotherapist will perform an assessment in a quiet, private room which will include a thorough health history. They will then look at your alignment, posture and movement patterns. They will also perform both an external and internal examination of the pelvis. The internal component is done with 1 or 2 fingers inserted into the vagina and/or rectum. The internal exam provides the physiotherapist with further details about the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvic region that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Does it hurt?
The goal of the physiotherapist is to make you feel as comfortable as possible. We do not use speculums so it does not feel like a typical pap exam. The physiotherapist uses 1 or 2 fingers with lubricate to ensure comfort.
There are other ways to assess the pelvic floor muscles if you are not comfortable with an internal exam. However, internal examinations provide the physiotherapist with more details of the pelvic floor structures to treat you appropriately. If at any time you are feeling uncomfortable, please let your physiotherapist know so they can do everything to make you feel more comfortable.
Do I need a referral?
No you do not require a referral to book an appointment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist although some individuals are referred from physicians and specialists. However, some insurance companies may require a physician referral for direct billing.
Can I still have treatment if I’m menstruating?
A common concern, but the answer is yes! Hormonal changes during menstruation can actually change the tone of your pelvic floor so it can be helpful to see a client during their period. If you are still not comfortable, there are external techniques that can be done or a virtual visit can be set up if you do not want to reschedule.
Do you treat during pregnancy?
Yes. Having an assessment during pregnancy can be beneficial as your physiotherapist can address any concerns or dysfunctions you may currently be experiencing and prepare your pelvic floor for birth. It also provides a baseline of your pelvic floor before child birth.
How long are appointments?
Initial assessments are 90 minutes and follow up appointments are 60 minutes, unless instructed otherwise by your physiotherapist.
Who can be treated?
Currently our physiotherapist is only trained to treat females with urinary incontinence. If you are unsure if our physiotherapist can help, we can always provide a complimentary consult to discuss your condition(s) and refer out if needed.