What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

“Hi, I’m Rachel and I am a pelvic floor physical therapist!” 

Blank Stares. What does that even mean? 

What is pelvic physical therapy?

Well, I am just like any other physical therapist only I get the added bonus of working in a cave of wonders. As I mentioned in my prior post, the pelvic floor is pretty magical. It does so much. It supports all the pelvic organs. It provides postural stability. It helps maintain continence and plays a role in sexual function. 

It’s like the Meryl Streep of muscles; it has range. 

As a pelvic floor specialist I don’t just spend my time being a hype woman for the pelvic floor. But I do treat these special muscles directly. The only way to assess and treat these muscles is through a digital internal examination, either vaginally or rectally. That is the big thing that makes pelvic floor PT “special.” But that doesn’t mean I spend all day in someone’s nether regions. 

I need to look at the whole person. That includes a postural assessment as well as looking at all of the muscles externally that also attach at the pelvis. That includes the muscles of the: 

• Abdomen

• Back

• Hips

• Inner Thigh

• Posterior Thigh 

• Anterior Thigh 

• Lateral Thigh

All of these muscles share attachment points near the pelvic floor. So any impairments in those muscles can impact or contribute to what is happening in the pelvis. 

Determining a pelvic rehab plan….

Depending on what is going on, I may even examine someone’s neck or big toe! Basically, the focus is not 100% on the pelvis. So even though I specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction, I still look at it all. I just have a special place in my heart for vulvas, penises and rectums. 

Does that mean everyone has to have an internal examination? Not necessarily.  A person can always decline that portion of the assessment, but it can mean we are missing a piece of the puzzle to determine what is causing a person's symptoms. The only way to directly assess and treat the pelvic floor is through an internal examination, and unlike a gynecological examination there are no speculums or stirrups involved. Instead, the exam is done with one gloved lubricated finger and a patient can always request to stop the exam at any point. 

Still have questions? Feel free to leave a comment or message me directly!