Pelvic Floor Therapy Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: How Practically Perfect Physical Therapy Can Help
Pelvic Floor Therapy Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: How Practically Perfect Physical Therapy Can Help
When people hear the words pelvic floor therapy, they may picture one specific type of treatment. But pelvic floor therapy can look very different from person to person and that is exactly how it should be.
At Practically Perfect Physical Therapy, we believe pelvic floor care should be individualized to your symptoms, goals, comfort level, and preferences. Our physical therapists have different areas of training within pelvic health, allowing us to match patients with a provider and treatment approach that makes sense for them.
Whether you’re dealing with leaking, pelvic pain, prolapse, pregnancy or postpartum changes, bowel or bladder concerns, or simply feeling like something isn’t quite right, there are many ways we can help.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Is More Than an Internal Examination
One of the biggest misconceptions about pelvic floor therapy is that treatment always requires an internal examination or internal manual therapy.
It doesn’t.
The pelvic floor is part of a much larger system that includes your hips, core, back, breathing mechanics, abdominal muscles, posture, strength, mobility, and movement patterns.
Depending on your symptoms, pelvic floor therapy may include:
- Strengthening and coordination exercises
- Breathing and pressure-management strategies
- Core and hip strengthening
- External manual therapy
- Mobility work
- Bladder and bowel education
- Habit and lifestyle modifications
- Exercise progression
- Internal assessment and manual therapy when appropriate and desired
Your treatment should never be based on a predetermined formula. It should be based on you.
Dr. Nicole & Dr. Tania: Internal and External Pelvic Floor Care
Dr. Nicole and Dr. Tania have completed specialized training in internal pelvic floor assessment and release techniques.
For some patients, an internal pelvic floor assessment can provide valuable information about muscle strength, coordination, tension, tenderness, and the ability to properly contract and relax the pelvic floor.
When appropriate, internal manual techniques may also be incorporated into treatment to address areas of muscle tension, restriction, or discomfort.
But having this training doesn't mean every patient needs an internal assessment. Your therapist will discuss treatment options with you and help determine what may be beneficial based on your symptoms and goals.
You are always in control of your care.
Dr. Becky: Pelvic Floor Therapy Without Internal Treatment
Not everyone needs or wants internal pelvic floor treatment.
Dr. Becky provides pelvic floor therapy focused on external assessment, exercise, movement, education, and external manual therapy.
She can help patients experiencing concerns such as:
- Urinary leaking
- Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
- Pelvic or surrounding musculoskeletal pain
- Core weakness
- Difficulty managing pressure during exercise
- Return to exercise and activity
- Pregnancy and postpartum changes
There is so much we can learn and treat without performing an internal examination.
For many patients, improving strength, breathing mechanics, coordination, mobility, pressure management, and overall movement can make a significant difference in pelvic floor symptoms.
This can also be a great option for someone who isn't comfortable with internal treatment or simply prefers an external approach.
Finding the Right Approach for YOU
One of the benefits of receiving pelvic floor therapy at Practically Perfect Physical Therapy is that we don't expect every patient to need the same treatment.
Some patients benefit from internal assessment and manual therapy.
Some need progressive strengthening.
Some need to learn how to relax their pelvic floor rather than strengthen it.
Some need help coordinating their breath and core.
Some need hands-on external treatment.
And many need a combination of approaches.
Our providers bring different skills and perspectives to pelvic floor care, which allows us to meet patients where they are and create a plan that feels comfortable, realistic, and useful.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Your Symptoms Are “Bad Enough”
Pelvic floor concerns are incredibly common, but that doesn't mean you have to accept them as a normal part of pregnancy, childbirth, aging, menopause, exercise, or everyday life.
You may benefit from pelvic floor therapy if you're experiencing:
- Leaking with coughing, sneezing, jumping, or exercise
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Difficulty emptying your bladder
- Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness
- Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
- Pelvic, hip, or tailbone pain
- Pain with intercourse
- Pregnancy-related discomfort
- Postpartum weakness or changes
- Difficulty returning to exercise
- Core weakness or difficulty managing abdominal pressure
You also don't need to know which type of pelvic floor therapy you need before you call us.
That's our job.
Pelvic Floor Care That Meets You Where You Are
At Practically Perfect Physical Therapy, pelvic floor therapy isn't about putting every patient through the same examination or giving everyone the same exercises.
It's about listening.
It's about understanding what is interfering with your life.
And it's about finding an approach that helps you feel comfortable and confident while working toward your goals.
Whether your treatment includes internal assessment and release techniques, external manual therapy, exercise, education or a combination of approaches our team is here to help you find the care that works for your body and your goals.
Not sure which provider or approach is right for you? Give us a call and we'll help you get started.
Practically Perfect Physical Therapy
311 S. New York Road, Suite 1A
Galloway, NJ 08205
(609) 300-3963
Individual treatment recommendations vary. Internal pelvic floor assessment or treatment is performed only when clinically appropriate and with patient consent.
