Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Below you'll find answers to:

• What is the pelvic floor and What does it do?

• What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT)?

• Who can benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

• What does a Magnolia Movement PFPT initial evaluation and follow up appointments look like?

First off, what is a pelvic floor and what does it do?

Well, everyone has one! Your pelvic floor is a system of muscles that support pelvic organs including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. It assists with bowel and bladder control, allows us to participate in intercourse, and manage pressure systems in our body. 

Next, what is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) is a specialty of physical therapy that considers the function or dysfunction of the pelvic floor and how it may be affected by someone's movement habits, posture, medical history (surgery, diagnosis, illness, abnormal menses), weakness, imbalance, and/or stress levels. Therapy consists of the assessment and treatment of the whole body system.

So, who would benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

We all have a life journey of ups and downs and transformations  such as surgery, pregnancy, menopause, or diagnosis such as PCOS, endo, or even cancer. Let's dive into some of the symptoms the pelvic floor may experience during these life events. 

• If you cannot sneeze or cough (or exercise) without peeing a little

• If you are hesitant to jump on a trampoline or run long distances

• If you have consistent constipation or cannot hold in a fart

• If intercourse is painful or unpleasurable

• If you feel abdominal heaviness or that things may be falling

You may benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy!!

Now, let's discuss what you can expect at an initial evaluation at Magnolia Movement.

This is where Magnolia Movement PT takes its stride providing a safe space with your comfort as our priority. We take the time to first listen to your journey thus far, your limitations and concerns. Your journey thus far drives your movement assessment which looks at limitations and weaknesses from head to toe depending on your history and current symptoms.

The first half of your initial evaluation looks like an orthopedic or traditional physical therapy assessment. This may include a look at how your spine, hips, ankles, toes, shoulders, and neck move. We'll take measure of your strength and endurance through legs and/or arms. We may observe how you walk, stand, and balance. Furthermore, we get much needed information on where you hold tension through connective tissue or fascia and muscles which in turn may be restricting joint mobility. All of this is considered with the symptoms you report. We talk about how they may correlate and what physical therapy can do to help you.

Moving further, we chat about the pelvic floor, its anatomy and functions. Every clinic and physician is different in how they complete a pelvic floor examination. At Magnolia Movement, we make it comfortable, keeping You in control. It resembles what you think of a gynecological exam; however, without stirrups or tools like speculums. The assessment is done layer by layer. We start with muscles over the inner thighs and you control the progression of the exam pending comfort levels and symptom replication.

Not everything has to be done on the first visit, if you feel uncomfortable. This is why there is an orthopedic assessment first. There are many dysfunctional movement patterns throughout the body that affect our pelvic floor. Thus, a pelvic floor examination is not always necessary in order to change symptoms. However, without completing some portions of the pelvic floor exam, full consistent symptom relief may not be achieved.

You leave your first session at Magnolia Movement with some verification of your symptoms, a plan of care moving forward, and movement exercises that you can begin that day to improve your pelvic floor function. Follow-up visits greatly depend on what we find you would benefit you best. Most visits, we work on abdominal fascia, hip rotation mobility, balance, and/or pelvic floor muscle mobilizations as needed. Your level of comfort will guide the portions of the pelvic floor exams completed each visit with your consent.

We hope that this information helps you feel more confident in choosing a path to improve your symptoms. We at Magnolia Movement are here to answer any questions you may have even before you consider scheduling an appointment.

Do not let the unknown keep you from starting your journey.

Here at the Healthy Conversations Blog we talk about many therapy services, symptom presentations, prevention, and varying treatment options. The goal is to arm you with some knowledge to start a conversation with your healthcare providers. This Blog is not meant to be personal medical advice. Discussions solely involve our educated opinions. Every person’s health journey is different, and a full assessment would be recommended before prescribing any form of treatment.

Reach out to Heather@MagnoliaMovementPT.com with any questions.