PHYSIOTHERAPY
Pelvic Floor • Chronic pain • Hypermobility • Lactation/Infant Feeding
WHAT TO EXPECT
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
What it is:
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is a specialization within Physiotherapy that deals with issues of the pelvis, pelvic floor muscles, and pelvic organs. It incorporates factors from the whole body such as posture, breathing, diet, stress, and more.
What it treats:
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urinary stress incontinence
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urgency/frequent urination
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painful intercourse
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fecal/gas incontinence
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pelvic organ prolapse
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diastasis rectus abdominus (abdominal separation)
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pregnancy related pain - pelvic girdle, back, rib, etc
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postpartum recovery
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low back & hip pain (a high number of individuals with low back and hip pain, have contributing pelvic floor influences with and without common pelvic floor symptoms.)
How it's done:
All Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy appointments are done one on one in a private room. The initial assessment will include discussion of what symptoms you are having and history that can affect pelvic floor health. A holistic, whole-person approach via the biopsychosocial model is used and incorporated as appropriate for different pelvic floor concerns and each individual patient.
A physical exam is done in the first session and re-evaluated at follow up sessions. The physical exam may include the hips, back, diastasis recti abdominis (abdominal separation), and it is typically recommended to include an internal exam of the pelvic floor.
Internal exams can be done vaginally and/or rectally and this helps provide a more complete picture of the factors that can contribute to your symptoms. With your consent, your Physiotherapist will use one or two gloved fingers depending what is comfortable for your body to assess muscle strength and tension as well as other structures including pelvic organ prolapse. Treatment can be provided during the exam based on your findings.
There are alternatives for an internal exam. Your Physiotherapist will check for your comfort and consent before performing the assessment and can discuss alternatives for any aspect of the exam.
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An individualized care plan is created collaboratively between you and your physiotherapist that typically includes education, self-treatments, and home exercises.
Who can benefit:
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anyone experiencing the symptoms listed above!
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pregnant (internal exams can be performed after the first trimester)
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postpartum
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menopause
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athletes
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* At this time, Centered In Health can only offer pelvic floor physiotherapy for:
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individuals with female anatomy
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ages 18 years and older
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