What is pelvic physiotherapy?



Pelvic Physiotherapists assess and treat pelvic floor muscle dysfunction which can contribute to incontinence and pelvic pain. 

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What does a pelvic physiotherapist do?

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Your appointment may include both an external and an internal evaluation.  The internal exam can include both a vaginal and/or rectal assessment in order to properly evaluate the function of the pelvic floor muscles.  If the internal exam is too painful, the connective tissue of the abdomen, back, and hips may be treated and relaxed first before any internal work can be done.

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Conditions Treated

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• Incontinence

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse

• Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)                           

• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Pregnancy

• Pelvic Girdle Pain                                           

• Coccydynia (painful tailbone)

• SI joint Dysfunction in Preganancy                        

• Vulvodynia

• Vaginismus (unable to have penetration)

• Vestibulodynia

• Painful Bladder Syndrome

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

 

Interesting Facts

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• 1 in 4 women are incontinent, and only 1 in 12 people seek out treatment because they are embarrassed to talk about it or don't know that help is available.

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• There is Level 1, Grade A (strongest level of evidence available) that pelvic floor strengthening is effective for urge and stress incontinence.  This means that research says pelvic floor physiotherapy should happen with all patients who leak BEFORE surgery is considered.

 

• In Britain, patients will not be considered for surgery until they have tried pelvic floor physiotherapy.  Only those who cannot adequately train their pelvic floors are considered for some type of surgical sling repair.

                        

• Internal pelvic floor myofascial treatment in chronic bladder pain patients was effective in 59% of patients compared to generalized massage therapy.

 

• In France, every woman at 6 weeks post-partum sees a pelvic physiotherapist as part of her recovery to prevent incontinence and/or pelvic pain       

                                 

• It is estimated that 85% of vaginal deliveries will sustain some degree of perineal trauma.