We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Can I Expect from Pelvic Physiotherapy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,629
Share

Pelvic physiotherapy addresses issues with the pelvic floor that lead to problems like incontinence, pain, and tension. It can be useful for both men and women as part of a physical therapy program. Some common reasons to see a pelvic physiotherapist can include prostate surgery recovery, postnatal care, and treatment for incontinence. Therapy includes an initial assessment and a series of follow-up sessions after determining which treatments would meet the patient’s needs.

Some patients may be referred for pelvic physiotherapy, while others can seek it out on their own. In the assessment, the physiotherapist will ask a series of questions, some of which may seem intrusive. It’s important to answer them accurately and honestly. Like other health professionals, practitioners in this field are required to keep session information confidential, and they will not discuss specific patient issues with anyone else without consent from the patient.

A brief examination may also be necessary. This can include internal examination in some cases, along with the use of ultrasound to evaluate the pelvic floor visually. With all this information, the physiotherapist can make some recommendations for treatment. Initial sessions may include some brief activities to start addressing the issue and provide the patient with some exercises and lifestyle changes to make at home.

In the office, pelvic physiotherapy can include guided stretching and core stability exercises, biofeedback training, and gentle electrical stimulation. The patient may perform some exercises while ultrasound is used to assess pelvic floor function. Some therapists integrate massage and manual release, where they may work internally to loosed tightened pelvic muscles. This can be uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. Because the session can be intimate, patients may request a chaperone, and they can opt out of procedures if they are not comfortable.

Homework may be given as part of pelvic physiotherapy. The patient can be asked to exercise, do stretching at home, and make dietary changes. Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor can also be done at home. These support the work in office sessions to increase control over the pelvic floor, ease pain and tension, and address the underlying medical issue that led the patient to seek therapy in the first place. Follow-up sessions can assess response to therapy and determine if the plan needs to be adjusted, and when the patient appears to be recovered or as functional as it is possible to get with pelvic physiotherapy.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-can-i-expect-from-pelvic-physiotherapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.