Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve symptoms associated with dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. These symptoms usually impact activities of daily living and they can also cause emotional distress. You may benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy if you have:

• Urinary or fecal leakage (incontinence)
• Urinate very frequently and experience a strong urge to urinate
• Abdominal weakness or ‘separation’ (diastasis recti)
• Experienced changes after being pregnant
• A heavy feeling between your legs (prolapse)
• Back or pelvic injuries that cause pain

What Can I Expect At My Appointment?

During your initial visit, you will meet with your physiotherapist and discuss your goals for treatment. To ensure confidentiality and comfort, the assessment takes place in a private treatment room. Your physiotherapist will begin by asking you questions about your symptoms, as well as your medical/surgical history, medications, diet and lifestyle. You may be asked to complete a bladder diary to gain further understanding of your bowel and bladder habits.

An internal examination allows the physiotherapist to assess muscles and other structures that are located inside of the pelvis. This part of the assessment can help identify structural changes and allows the clinician to evaluate muscle strength, endurance and imbalances. Your physiotherapist will explain the assessment and gain your consent to proceed with this examination and you can withdraw your consent at any time.

How Do You Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Treatment may consist of a combination of education, behavior modification techniques, exercise and manual therapy. Your physiotherapist may create an exercise prescription for strengthening or stretching your pelvic floor muscles for you to complete at home. If required, your physiotherapist may refer you to your physician.

Your physiotherapist will review your treatment plan with you and will recommend follow-up appointments as needed to re-assess and progress your treatment.

*Internal examinations only available for those with female anatomy*