Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor, is a group of muscles that rest in the bottom of your pelvis that are involved in urination, bowel movements and sexual function. If these muscles, in either males or females, are not working properly this can lead to problems such an urgency, incontinence, or pain in the pelvic area.
What conditions can pelvic floor physiotherapy help to treat?
Male and female bowel or bladder incontinence
Male and female urgency or overactive bladder
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pre and post natal care
Painful intercourse
Genital pain
Pelvic floor assessment
During a pelvic floor assessment, the physiotherapist first takes a thorough history. Next, we complete an external exam to assess your ability to contact and relax your pelvic floor. In most cases, we also complete an internal exam that is completed either vaginally or rectally. Likely, we will check your ability to control your pelvic floor using biofeedback, which involves placing sensors on your pelvic floor that read the contraction of your muscles.
Will the assessment be painful?
While a pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment can sometimes be uncomfortable, the goal is to help understand factors that are contributing to your symptoms, so that we can provide you with exercises and information to help you. For most people, the pelvic floor is a sensitive and private area. You can expect to receive confidential, professional and quality care during your appointment. Your comfort is important to me, so during you assessment ask whatever questions come to mind and let me know if there is anything different I can do to help you during the assessment.
Before your initial pelvic floor assessment
Prior to your physiotherapy pelvic floor assessment, please check with your family doctor to ensure that a pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment is appropriate for you.