What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?

Pelvic health physiotherapy is a branch of physiotherapy which focuses on the assessment and treatment of the muscles, ligaments, nerves, joints and connective tissue of the pelvis and surrounding area. The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in everyday functions, such as bladder and bowel control, sexual health as well as supporting the low back and hips. We often forget about these fascinating and powerful muscles because we are unable to see them and they are difficult to feel. Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to a range of issues, including pelvic pain, incontinence, urinary issues, sexual dysfunction and the list goes on.  

Our pelvic health physiotherapists will complete a comprehensive examination to help identify the multiple factors that may be contributing to your pelvic floor dysfunction. 

Pelvic health physiotherapy can only be performed by a trained registered physiotherapist who has undergone additional post-graduate education in pelvic health physiotherapy.
WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY?
​Everyone can benefit from pelvic health physiotherapy.
  • ​Urinary incontinence (involuntary urine loss)
  • Pelvic organ prolapse (s)
  • Frequent urination (>5-7 times a day and disrupting your lifestyle/work)
  • Bowel incontinence
  • Constipation, straining or painful bowel movements
  • Pregnancy and postnatal pain 
  • Pregnancy and postnatal issues/complications and rehabilitation (Please visit the Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Care section of our website)
  • Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis
  • Pelvic pain: 
  • Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial cystitis
  • Coccygodynia (tailbone pain)
  • Dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain)
  • Dyspareunia (pain during/after intercourse)
  • Symptoms associated with endometriosis
  • Vaginismus (inability to penetrate into the vagina)
  • Vulvar pain (pain to the genital area)
  • Rectal pain
  • Other pelvic floor issues 
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT?
​In order to fully understand your pelvic floor issues and to ensure a safe assessment, your pelvic health physiotherapist will review your health questionnaire, take a detailed medical/social history and discuss your pelvic health concerns. You will have plenty of time to ask questions and we will work together to determine your goals.

Your pelvic health physiotherapist will also perform an objective assessment. This may include an assessment of your posture and more specifically your low back and hips. Following this orthopaedic examination, with your consent, both an external and internal (vaginal/rectal exam) physical assessment of the pelvic girdle may be completed. Your therapist will thoroughly discuss each step of the examination. Please remember that you can decide to stop the assessment at any time. Our pelvic health physiotherapists foster a professional, respectful and safe environment at all times during the assessment and treatment sessions. If an internal examination is too painful or you are uncomfortable with this type of examination, she will work with you to determine the best treatment for you.

Your physiotherapists will then work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan to meet your needs and goals. 
PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY
​TREATMENT?
​Pelvic health physiotherapy treatments can help improve the function of the pelvic floor muscles by including a multimodal approach to treatment. Treatment may include but is not limited to: 
  • Internal and external manual therapy (soft tissue (i.e- muscles, scars) and joint mobilization)
  • Pelvic muscle retraining and individualized home exercise program 
  • Education regarding your pelvic floor function, bowel/bladder habits etc.
  • Pain education and management strategies 
  • Breathing and relaxation techniques
  • ​Other treatments and recommendations to alleviate your pain and restore your pelvic floor function.