WHAT IS PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY?

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Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of dysfunction of the organs, muscles (e.g. the pelvic floor), nerves, and connective tissues in or around the pelvis. While pelvic health is largely concerned with this specific region of the body, it is by no means the only region we care about. Many other areas of the body, from head to toe, can influence how well the pelvic muscles work and/or how well the pelvis itself creates stability and contributes to movement.

Common conditions that can be effectively treated by Pelvic Health Physiotherapy include but are not limited to:

  • urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence

  • pelvic organ prolapse

  • pain with intercourse

  • chronic constipation

  • chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

  • erectile dysfunction

  • weakness in the pelvic floor muscles and/or abdominal muscles following childbirth or surgery

  • diastasis rectus abdominus (separation of the abdominal muscles)

  • vulvodynia, vestibulodynia

  • vaginismus

  • pelvic pain (including coccydenia, sacroiliac joint pain, bladder pain)

  • pubic symphysis dysfunction

  • hip, low back, groin, thigh and abdominal pain


Common Symptoms that Pelvic Health Physiotherapy may be able to help with:

  • pressure or heaviness in the vagina/rectum

  • a visual bulge at the vaginal opening

  • burning or swelling around the vaginal opening

  • leaking urine…even a little bit…ever.

  • trouble voiding your bladder or bowels

  • trouble making it to the bathroom in time

  • having to pee very frequently

  • “doming” down the middle of your belly when you try to do a sit-up or get up from bed.

  • pain around scar tissue from childbirth or surgery.

  • pain anywhere in the pelvis

  • penile/testicular/genital pain

  • the feeling of “sitting on a golf-ball”

  • pain with intercourse

  • not feeling “back to normal” after giving birth or when returning to exercise after birth

  • persistent low-back, hip and/or groin pain that hasn’t responded fully to other treatments


I’m still wondering, what is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy going to do about these symptoms AnD conditions?

Right. All of the above conditions can be a result of the pelvic floor muscles not functioning properly. A pelvic health physiotherapist can directly assess whether or not your pelvic floor muscles are functioning well. Are they tight, weak and/or uncoordinated? Once we understand what is or isn’t functioning well for YOU, we can then choose specific techniques to relax muscles that are tight, strengthen muscles that are weak or re-train those that aren’t coordinated. A pelvic health physiotherapist can also look at how you move during activities or tasks that are troublesome (for example, running) and give you strategies to decrease and eventually eliminate symptoms that arise during these activities.


What to expect at an initial visit

At your first visit, which lasts about an hour, we discuss your symptoms, concerns, medical history and goals for treatment. Once I’ve heard your story and what got you to this point, I perform a thorough assessment to determine factors that are contributing to your symptoms.

Depending on your symptoms, an internal vaginal and/or rectal examination may be suggested. This exam provides the therapist with more specific information about how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. It involves inserting 1-2 fingers into the vaginal canal or rectum in order to palpate the pelvic floor muscles directly. I do not use a speculum. During the exam, I palpate to see how tight or relaxed these muscles are, I get you to contract the pelvic floor muscles to test their strength/endurance and I get you to breathe to get a sense of how coordinated they are (i.e. do they relax or tighten at appropriate times?). The presence of tender spots and scar tissue will also be evaluated with gentle pressure.

Please note that this exam is NOT mandatory! It will only be carried out with your consent and only if it is thought to provide information necessary for shaping your treatment plan. All assessment and treatment techniques will be explained before-hand. I will NEVER carry out assessment or treatment techniques with which you are not comfortable. I do my best to thoroughly explain all aspects of assessment and treatment, however, you are encouraged to ask questions if something is unclear and to speak up if you are uncomfortable at any time.

The first session will also include treatment. Treatment is individualized to meet your specific needs and goals but it will always includes education about your condition and tools or strategies you can implement at home. Some of these “tools” may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, activity modification, soft tissue work, stretching, strengthening (e.g. Kegel’s), and/or acupuncture. You will be asked to participate as an active member of your care, helping to establish goals that are important to you and carrying out an agreed upon home-based exercise program to optimize gains between appointments.

If you have more specific questions or concerns about what the first appointment might entail, please feel free to email me at j.seeebach@rebirthwellness.ca.


Something else you might not know about pelvic health physiotherapy - you may be covered.

Check your benefits - many private benefits cover physiotherapy.  The exact dollar value varies and is dependent on your individual plan.  However, if you don’t have private coverage, physiotherapy can also be claimed on your income tax under medical expenses.

Telehealth Physiotherapy services are now also covered by most insurance companies. Please contact your company to ensure your specific coverage details.


DO I NEED A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL?

You do not need a referral to be assessed and treated by a physiotherapist. However, please check with your insurance provider (if relevant) to ensure that they do not require a referral in order for you to be reimbursed for your claim. Check your specific insurance plan for further details.


How do I book an appointment??

If you “put up with” any of the symptoms mentioned above, please book online at the link below or contact Rebirth Wellness Centre , 226-663-3243 (London, ON location) or my St.Marys location (519-703-9729) .  I would love to help you regain confidence, function, strength and control so you can quite avoiding things and get back to doing whatever it is you love doing. Thanks for considering me to be a part of your care! I hope I can shoulder the load with you and provide you with a renewed sense of hope about achieving your goals.