Pelvic Physical Therapy

What is Pelvic Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on the muscles, tissues and nerves of the pelvic floor that are responsible for bowel, bladder and sexual function. A pelvic floor physical therapist is specially trained to evaluate those muscles, tissues and nerves both internally and externally. They have taken advanced post-graduate continuing education in order to work in this specialty.

Mobilization to these tissues is often indicated, and the most direct way to access these tissues is through the vagina or rectum. Assessment and treatment are performed with a single gloved digit, and are always done after extensive patient education, and with the patient’s consent and understanding of treatment. Our body parts do not function in isolation, so a good pelvic floor PT will evaluate the whole system for how it can affect your pelvic floor. And, a good portion of the treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction is actually external.

What Kinds of Issues Can be Treated with Pelvic Physical Therapy?

• Bladder & Bowel Dysfunction

• Urinary Urgency/Frequency/Incontinence/Retention

• Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

• Benign Prostate Hypertrophy

• Prolaspe - Cystocele, Rectocele, Uterine, Enterocele, & Vaginal Vault

• Constipation, Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures

• Fecal Incontinence

• Abdominal Pain/Bloating

• IBS

• Endometriosis

• Painful Periods

• Symptoms related to menopause

• Pregnancy and postpartum pain/dysfunction

• C section recovery, scar mobilization, perineal tearing, episiotomy scars

• Post pelvic surgeries

What to Expect at an Appointment

Time is necessary to effectively evaluate, assess and treat the pelvic floor muscles and associated tissues. The pelvic floor involves sensitive and personal body systems – bowel, bladder and sexual health. We want to ensure that you as a patient have the time to feel comfortable with this treatment that may seem unusual at first. We never want this treatment to feel rushed. Therefore, hour long appointments, that are one-on-one for their entirety, ensures that both the patient and the PT can make the most of their time together and make the most lasting changes.

The pelvic floor being so intricately connected to these major and sensitive functions of our body also means that pelvic floor dysfunction is often long standing and multifactorial – there are a lot of layers to peel back. This means that most people seen with pelvic floor dysfunction have experienced pain and dysfunction that has been persistent for many years, and that has often been misdiagnosed and misunderstood.

Unfortunately, insurance coverage has not caught up to the needs of pelvic health. Core will never sacrifice quality. We have found in practice that 1 hour long appointments once a week allow for more holistic and effective care, and can actually get people better faster than shorter appointments 2-3 times per week. The cost of each appointment session will be $165.00.

It will depend on the evaluation, but typically we recommend scheduling once a week for 8 weeks. Some people will require longer term treatment, depending on the severity and the longevity of their complaints, and the body systems involved in their complaints. We should see progress towards our goals by the 4-week mark; if we do not, we need to re-evaluate our plan of care.

If you are interested in receiving pelvic physical therapy, please give our office a call at 518-869-6220. We look forward to meeting you!