Pelvic Health Physical Therapy: Not as Intimidating as You Think

Pelvic health is a topic that many people tend to shy away from, and understandably so. You might think it involves uncomfortable exams and invasive procedures, resulting in a general feel of awkwardness. But I'm here to tell you: pelvic health physical therapy (PT) is not the terrifying ordeal you might imagine. In fact, it could be the key to unlocking a happier, healthier you. Let’s shed some light on the misconceptions and highlight the benefits of pelvic health PT.

• Misconception #1: It's embarrassing. 
  • Your pelvic health physical therapist is a healthcare professional who is trained and experienced in discussing sensitive topics with discretion and empathy. Remember, this is something they deal with on a daily basis and it is not uncomfortable for them. Your concerns are valid and many people have the same ones as you do. They are there to help you, not judge you. Think of them as your expert guide on a journey to better pelvic health. 
• Misconception #2: It's all about internal exams. 
  • An internal exam is what differentiates a Pelvic Health PT from other PTs not trained in pelvic health evaluations. While it can be an important part of the assessment process, it will only be performed with your informed consent. In addition to that, Pelvic Health PTs will also assess things like your posture, strength, coordination, breathing mechanics, and discuss your habits with you that may be contributing to your symptoms. As such, a lot of treatment is external! Your therapist will work with you to determine the best approach based on your individual needs and comfort level.
• Misconception #3: It's only for women. 
  • While women often experience pelvic floor issues like incontinence or prolapse, men also have a pelvic floor and can experience life altering symptoms. Conditions include pelvic/groin pain, testicular pain, difficulties emptying the bladder, urinary incontinence (usually related to prostatectomy), erectile dysfunction, and more. Pelvic Health PT can provide relief from these issues.
    
• Misconception #4: It’s all about doing Kegels. 
  • As alluded above, Pelvic Health PT is more comprehensive than simply performing Kegels (AKA pelvic floor contraction). While good coordination and strength of your pelvic floor is beneficial, it is not the end all be all. Good coordination, strength, and mobility of your hip, abdominal, and back musculature are equally, if not more, important. Additionally, it may be that your pelvic floor is too tense and performing kegels will actually either make your symptoms worse, or not change them at all. Therefore, you will receive a holistic treatment approach to address your needs. 
• Misconception #5: It’s only for people with severe symptoms. 
  • Pelvic health PT is great for any level of symptoms as well as preventative care. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, aging, or simply want to optimize pelvic floor health, pelvic PT can be a proactive approach to prevent issues down the road and/or prevent them from becoming debilitating. 

What Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Is

A Personalized Treatment Plan with Pelvic PT starts with an assessment of your specific symptoms, history, and concerns. A skilled therapist will then create a treatment plan that’s uniquely designed for your needs. It could involve exercises to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles, posture correction, manual therapy, and even education on bladder and bowel habits. It is a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can talk openly about your concerns. The goal is always to make you feel comfortable and empowered to address your pelvic health issues without fear or embarrassment.

What to expect: A typical appointment will involve a thorough discussion of your medical history and symptoms, including your bladder and bowel habits, your sexual health, and any pain you are experiencing. They'll then perform a physical examination (posture, strength, coordination, etc) which may or may not include an internal exam, depending on your needs and preferences.

Pelvic health PT can help alleviate a wide range of issues, including (but not limited to):

• Bladder: urinary incontinence, urinary retention, bladder pain, spraying/splitting or urine stream, intermittent urine stream
• Bowel: fecal incontinence, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, difficulties getting stool out
• Pain: groin pain, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, back pain, hip pain 
• Sexual health: pain during intercourse, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation
• Prolapse: pelvic organ prolapse: cystocele (bladder falling into the vagina), rectocele (rectum falling into the vagina), uterine prolapse (uterus falling down into the vagina); rectal prolapse (rectum coming out of anal opening)
• Pregnancy/Postpartum: any related symptoms, pubic symphysis pain/dysfunction, diastasis recti, c-section 
• Surgical: hysterectomy, prostatectomy, colon surgery, bladder surgery, 
• Oncology: pelvic issues developed from radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer

Taking the First Step

If you're experiencing any pelvic floor issues, don't hesitate to reach out to a pelvic health physical therapist. It is a proactive step towards improving your quality of life.  Remember, it's not as scary as you think and the potential benefits far outweigh any discomfort you might anticipate. Usually people say it is a lot less uncomfortable than they thought it would be and your body will thank you for it. Schedule that appointment – you deserve it!