What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy involves strengthening and/or relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor to help improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

Spirit Winds is Your Expert Resource

We offer treatment plans from a certificated specialist in pelvic floor disorders. Allyn Brown has had extensive training to evaluate and treat the many symptoms of pelvic floor conditions.

When you arrive at Spirit Winds, you will be greeted and taken to a private meeting room with the therapist. A review of your medical history and your symptoms will be followed by the creation of a plan for diagnosis and recovery.

You will likely be given a bladder or bowel diary, to help track and discover patterns and behaviors that may be increasing your symptoms. The therapist will help analyze current issues and plan ways to see improvements to your pelvic health right away.

Enhance Your Quality of Life and Confidence

Many factors can affect your pelvic floor functionality, and overall your quality of life. Approximately 32% of women and 16% of men will have at least one pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. Many patients don't realize how their daily routines and stresses are affected by pelvic floor health.

A common pelvic floor problem is urine incontinence or UI. It is the sudden and strong urge to urinate caused by involuntary contractions of muscles in the bladder wall at inappropriate times. It is triggered by everyday occurrences such as the sound of running water, drinking cold beverages, or an increase in abdominal pressure. Many patients are initially unaware that these symptoms do not have to be a part of their daily life, and can be improved in as little as 5-10 visits with a pelvic floor specialist.

When Do I Need Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Learn the difference between common and normal. Although many people of all backgrounds suffer from pelvic floor disorders, not everyone knows how easy it can be to make improvements Here is a list of common symptoms that can be treated:

Frequent urination
Strong urge to urinate (urgency incontinence)
Urine or stool leakage due to movement (stress incontinence)
Pain in the pelvis, hip, abdomen, thigh, low back with intercourse
Constipation
Pregnancy/post-pregnancy pain or incontinence

Pregnancy and Postpartum Care

It is safe and a good idea to meet with a PT at any point in your pregnancy. If you are experiencing pain or have any concerns, accessing treatment sooner is always better. If you do not have any concerns but want to be proactive, it is recommended to come in as early as your second trimester. We can work together to understand any issues. Towards the end of your pregnancy, pelvic floor treatment may assist in labour and delivery techniques.

What can a pelvic floor physiotherapist assess and treat during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help address areas of pelvic pain or pressure, address issues with leakage of stool or urine, or teach you exercises and techniques to help prepare your body and your pelvic floor for delivery. Topics that may be addressed in your treatment include, but are not limited to:

Hip and low back pain
Round ligament pain
Exercises to relax for delivery
Exercises to restore function of the pelvic floor muscles and core to help with early post-partum recovery
Breathing and pushing techniques for delivery
Exercises that are safe to complete and/or exercises to avoid based upon your individual assessment
Pain with intercourse
Urinary or bowel incontinence
Planned or unplanned caesarean birth
Pelvic organ prolapse

After your baby arrives, we can re-assess you at six weeks postpartum. Depending on your assessment, your PT will be able to determine how often they would like to see you and develop a treatment plan to help you on your journey.

Pelvic Floor Therapy - We Answered Your Questions!