What to Expect from Pelvic Floor Treatment
You've decided to move forward in addressing your symptoms. What does the first visit look like? How about following treatments? Your questions, answered here. At the end of the blog are common pelvic floor issues addressed by pelvic health specialists.
Our society does not teach us what is "normal" when it comes to bowel and bladder function. We aren't taught about healthy sexual function. We have intuition on how things "should feel down there", but sometimes our pelvic health goes way off track. Possibly you, your partner, or someone you know, pees when they cough, sneeze or jump and state "that is just how it is after having a baby and/or getting older". Just because it is common, does NOT mean it is normal!
Your First Visit
The visit starts with getting to know exactly what you are experiencing. It gives us an idea of what might be happening with your pelvic floor, as well as other muscle groups that are contributing. The nerves of your pelvic floor start in your low back and sacral region, coursing through your back, hips and abdominals areas. Function of these other areas of your body can also affect your symptoms. Your provider may look at how your back, hips, spine are moving, as well as your general strength. Additionally, the way we breathe affects our pelvic floor and its function, so often breathing is assessed and discussed. All findings are shared with you. Sometimes it is best to assess pelvic floor directly to see the strength, tone and function of these muscles. If this indicated, your provider will communicate this, and assessment of these muscles is often performed with 1 finger intravaginally. This is always optional and entirely your decision. It is a tool to gather more information to understand exactly what is contributing to your symptoms.
Based on findings, you will be given a custom home program to do independently with regular visits to check in and change your program as needed. You may be wondering - how often do visits occur? It all depends on your personal needs, budget, and progress. Most clients are seen on a weekly basis to start, and tapered off as symptoms continually improve. If your visit is occurring in person, hands on techniques may be used such as dry needling, myofascial release or trigger point release of abdominals, diaphragm, back or hips if indicated.
Follow-up Visits
Follow-up visits will entail discussing how your symptoms are progressing and adjusting your personalized home program as needed. It is a great opportunity to discuss questions in detail.
How long will I need treatment?
This answer is sometimes hard to predict, but more often than not treatment is 8-12 weeks long. The longer you have had symptoms, generally the longer it takes to see results. It is a whole new area of the body most of us are very detached from, and it can take time to learn how to control the pelvic floor. Most people begin weekly and as symptoms improve, I spread out visits to make sure the client can maintain and gain progress independently with check-in's to adjust as needed.
Addressing pelvic floor symptoms with Bohan PT & Training
I utilize primarily a virtual format, and so all sessions can be conducted from the comfort of your home! Listed below are research articles demonstrating virtual physical therapy is as effective as in-person care. I take a holistic, full body approach in helping people reduce their pelvic symptoms through my online coaching format. If I believe your symptoms need to be addressed in-person, I will help you find a reliable in-person provider, or if you live in my area, we can discuss an in-person option. Click HERE to contact me!
List of Common Pelvic Floor Issues:
This list can apply to both women AND men!
- urge urinary incontinence
- stress urinary incontinence
- fecal incontinence
- urinary urgency and/or frequency
- painful sex
- difficulty or impossiblity of sex or tampon use
- pain with orgasm
- genital pain
- general pelvic pain
- painful periods
- prenatal and postpartum recovery
- pelvic heaviness
- post-prostatectomy pain or incontinence
- Pain or incontinence after pelvic or prolapse surgery