Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

So, you’ve reached the point that you’re ready to investigate and treat your pelvic health related symptoms. Maybe your GP even gave you a referral for pelvic floor physiotherapy. But what even is pelvic health physiotherapy? What should you expect from your first appointment? Well look no further. We’re here to discuss your unanswered questions.

First things first, what makes someone a pelvic health physiotherapist?

Pelvic health is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that focuses on assessing and treating conditions related to the pelvic floor and its surrounding structures (bladder, uterus, & bowel). Your pelvic floor plays a crucial role in supporting your pelvic organs, maintaining continence, ensuring healthy sexual function, and so much more. Registered physiotherapists in Canada go through additional training and certifications to be able to assess and treat male and female pelvic health conditions through various approaches including external exams, internal exams, and consultation.

Scope of Practice

Pelvic health physiotherapists are qualified to address a very wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Urine leakage
• Urgency and frequency of the bladder and bowels
• Nocturia (waking up through the night to pee)
• Recurring UTI symptoms
• Bladder pain/interstitial cystitis
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Vulvodynia
• Coccydynia
• Dyspareunia + vaginismus
• Surgical rehabilitation
• Pudendal nerve irritability
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pre or post-partum rehab
• Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA)
• Penile or testicular pain
• Prostatectomy rehabilitation
• Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis
• Low back, SI joint, or hip pain
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Constipation
• Fecal incontinence
• Sexual dysfunction
• Other

First Appointment: What to Expect

Your first appointment with your provider is an important step towards addressing your concerns and improving your pelvic health. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Detailed assessment: your physiotherapist will begin by going over consent and explaining what will take place in your visit together. You will discuss your medical history, symptoms, and concerns. They will ask about your lifestyle, exercise habits, and any factors that could be contributing to your symptoms.
2. Physical Examination: A thorough physical assessment will be conducted to evaluate the strength, tone, and function of your pelvic floor muscles. This may involve internal and external assessment, depending on your comfort level. All options will be discussed thoroughly with your provider before beginning.
3. Education: pelvic health physiotherapists are educators as much as they are therapists! They will explain the anatomy of your pelvis, how it relates to your symptoms, and how certain behaviours or habits may be influencing your condition.
4. Individualized treatment plan: based on your assessment, the physiotherapist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include exercise, lifestyle modifications, and strategies to address your specific concerns.
5. Goal setting: you and your provider will set achievable goals for your treatment. These goals might relate to pain reduction, improved muscle control, or enhanced quality of life.
6. Ongoing support: you will continue to meet with your pelvic health physiotherapist until your goals are met. Your physiotherapist will monitor your progress, adjust your treatment plan as needed, and provide guidance throughout your journey to better pelvic health.

In conclusion, pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialized field that addresses a range of conditions affecting the pelvic region. In Canada, trained professionals play a vital role in helping individuals of all ages achieve optimal pelvic health. By seeking the expertise of a pelvic health physiotherapist, you’re taking an important step toward improving your overall well-being and quality of life and you should feel proud of yourself! This is a huge step and we can’t wait to support you.

If you have any questions about pelvic health physiotherapy or our providers at Corelife, you can email info@corelifewellness.ca or call us at (289) 608-7136.