Introduction to Pelvic Physical Therapy

In these first few blog posts, I will attempt to answer some of the most common questions I get about being a pelvic physical therapist and what this type of treatment involves. I hope you enjoy reading these posts, and if you have any questions after reading them, please feel free to contact me by either filling out the contact form on the website, sending me an email at [email protected], or calling the office at (928)350-8270.

What is Pelvic Physical Therapy?
Pelvic physical therapy is a specialization of the broader field of physical therapy. All physical therapists have earned their licensure by graduating from an accredited physical therapy program as well as passing a board-certifying exam.

Pelvic physical therapists have additional training in assessment of pelvic floor muscle function. The pelvic floor muscles are several layers of muscles that surround the anus, vagina, and urethra. These muscles help support of our organs, keep us continent, and play a role in sexual function as well. Pelvic physical therapists also have additional training in assessing and treating the musculoskeletal system for people during and after pregnancy. Our special training helps us treat the following issues that many physical therapists cannot:

• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary urgency
• Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (a feeling of falling out or pressure in the pelvis)
• Certain types of constipation
• Bedwetting in children
• Pelvic pain
• Diastasis recti (unusually large distance between the abdominal muscles, often associated with pregnancy, but also present in those who are overweight, of any gender)
• Early detection of lymphedema (swelling of a limb often associated with cancer treatment)​

The purpose of pelvic floor physical therapy is like all physical therapy: to get you back to doing what you love. This may include participating more fully in sports, social activities, work, and family life, and (specific to pelvic floor PT) improving your sexual wellness, which means being able to participate in the kind of sexual activity you enjoy without being limited due to pain or other musculoskeletal issues.

I look forward to helping you achieve your goals with pelvic floor physical therapy, or perinatal physical therapy (for those during and after birth). Providing physical therapy in this specialty area is really motivating for me, and it has been a longstanding passion of mine to help people with pelvic and perinatal conditions. Again, please contact me if you have any questions about this post by sending me an email at [email protected] or calling the office at (928)350-8270.