Hi friends! Do you have pelvic pain? Do you leak a little when you sneeze or jump? Does pooping hurt? Have you been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse? You might have pelvic floor dysfunction and a pelvic floor physical therapist can help! We are so excited to talk about pelvic floor physical therapy this week in celebration of National Physical Therapy Month.
We know the value a pelvic floor physical therapist can bring but we understand that finding one in your area can be difficult. Here are a few tricks to help you find a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Ask your physician for a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist
Find a pelvic therapist on your own at myPFM.com. We have links to 4 free searchable databases under Find a PT.
Use a search engine to look for “pelvic floor physical therapist near me”
If you are unable to find a in-person clinic to help you, myPFM offers several self-paced courses online to help you address specific issues.
If you prefer a live and individualized conversation, you can schedule a 30 minute appointment with Jeanice to talk about any pelvic health issues you may be experiencing. You can schedule here.
What Does a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Do?
A pelvic floor physical therapist looks at the way your muscles, bone, and nervous system are working. They are trained to look at individual muscles and to analyze global movement patterns to find any areas that might be causing a problem. A pelvic assessment is individualized but should include looking at the hips and back. The hips, back, and pelvic floor all work together and issues with one can contribute to issues in another.
Pelvic floor therapists frequently perform internal vaginal or rectal assessments as this is the most direct way to feel how the pelvic floor muscles are working. Your therapist should only perform internal treatments if necessary and with your consent. If you are not comfortable with an internal assessment, speak with your provider about other assessment and/or treatment options.
Physical therapists’ treatments often include specific exercises, hands on techniques to address muscle and tissue restrictions, and retraining the right muscles to fire at the right time.
Remember, that not all providers have the same treatment approach. If you don’t feel that your provider is listening to you or addressing your concerns, look for a new one. Ultimately, you are the leader of your healthcare team and you make the final decisions. Providers should work alongside you and your specific goals to help you direct your care.
Questions to Ask Your Physical Therapist
Here are some great resources to help you take care of your pelvic floor:
Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about specific pelvic health
Learn more about the pelvic floor muscles with our book: My Pelvic Floor Muscles The Basics
Sign up for our email newsletter!
Visit our Amazon store for our favorite pelvic health items
For providers, check our online courses to help your clients. Consider joining our Ambassador Program and most of our courses are included with your membership!
Written by Emily Reul, PT, DPT