Why Pelvic Floor Therapy Matters
Pelvic floor therapy is a growing specialty in the United States, but we still have a long way to go in providing comprehensive, quality care for women’s health. My mission is to disrupt the system (in a positive way!)—not just for this generation, but for those to come.
As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I’ve personally seen and experienced how transformative this care can be. Whether you’re recovering from childbirth, managing pelvic pain, addressing urinary incontinence, or dealing with other concerns, pelvic floor therapy can help restore your confidence, comfort, and overall well-being for all stages of life. Most importantly, it can help you get back to living a full, vibrant life.
Choosing a pelvic floor therapist is a deeply personal decision. Because this therapy involves working with a sensitive and private area of your body, it’s crucial to feel 1000% comfortable, supported, and safe throughout your care! Your pelvic floor health is unique to you, and having the right pelvic floor therapist by your side makes all the difference in your healing journey.
I want to be transparent: my approach and expertise may differ from that of another pelvic floor therapist, and that's perfectly okay! My advice is to take the time to interview 2-3 therapists in your area. Learn about their practices, ask questions, and see which one resonates with you the most. The right fit will be someone who takes the time to understand your goals and makes you feel comfortable every step of the way. And remember, every therapist has their own strengths, passions, and areas of expertise, so it's important to choose one who aligns with your specific needs and makes you feel at ease.
Go with your gut, because it is almost always right!
How to Choose the Right Pelvic Floor Therapist
Here are some qualities to look for in a pelvic floor physical therapist to ensure you’re in good hands:
They are trained and educated in pelvic floor therapy as a physical or occupational therapist. It's essential to ensure the provider is properly trained in this area of expertise.
In some clinics, there are rehab aides or techs that you may be passed along after spending some time with the pelvic therapist; however, aides and tech do not have training to provide care. At that point you most likely won't be receiving the care you are paying for. Don’t get me wrong, I have worked with many wonderful rehab tech/aids. However, pelvic floor therapy is a specialized area in the PT/OT world that they spend many many additional hours of education and training to be able to provide care. This takes me to the next point…
One on one care. Pelvic floor therapy is such a personal journey, and having one-on-one care with your therapist is so important to create a space where you feel safe, heard, and supported. Unlike the traditional clinic setting, individualized attention allows for meaningful conversations and a treatment plan that truly fits your unique needs.
It’s also essential that your therapist is with you for the entire session. Consistent, focused care makes a real difference in how you heal and progress. Licensed physical and occupational therapists receive specialized training to evaluate and treat pelvic floor dysfunction, so it simply doesn’t make sense for someone without that expertise to take over part of your session.
Details matter!!!—how you move, how you breathe, how your muscles engage, etc. A trained pelvic floor therapist has the "eye" to notice and work with those nuances, helping you get the care and results you deserve.
Cash-based practices typically offer one-on-one sessions for 60 minutes, and while this model isn’t for everyone, there are clinics that accept insurance and provide one-on-one sessions for 40 minutes. Doing a little bit of research will help you find the right place for you!
They take the time to listen to your story and understand your needs and end goal. I learned throughout the 11+ years as a practitioner that a patient is the best storyteller of their body . They are the ones experiencing and feeling it. No one knows better their body but the patient themself so making sure that the pelvic floor therapist is in turn with the information you are telling them is ESSENTIAL!
They are able and skilled in internal evaluation and treatment, a fundamental part of effective pelvic floor therapy. While not everyone may need an internal examination, having that skill available is critical for ruling in or ruling out potential causes and diagnoses. Remember, most pelvic floor dysfunctions are not visible externally so having this skillset can get you closer to your answer you are looking for.
They take a whole-body approach to diagnosing and addressing pelvic floor dysfunction. You may have heard that “everything is connected” in our body and that couldn’t be more true. Our body works together, anatomically, physically, emotional, physiologically, psychologically, etc. If a provider can recognize this concept that they are providing a thorough examination and comprehensive care.
Their care extends beyond manual therapy, incorporating techniques such as:
Strength and stability exercises
Postural education
Breathing strategies
Mobility work(While not every treatment will include all of these, it should go beyond hands-on techniques.)
While manual techniques provide symptom relief temporarily, it most likely won’t keep it away.
They progress your home exercise program and in-session exercises to match your evolving needs and progress. Your pelvic floor PT should be continually updating your home exercise program and in-session exercises to align with your evolving needs and goals. For example, if you’ve been focusing on lying-down exercises for several weeks but your ultimate goal is to carry your baby without symptoms, it’s important to advance your exercises to support that goal. Progress is key to achieving the meaningful changes you’re working toward, and every step of your program should help move you closer to overcoming your current symptoms.
They personalize your treatment plan to align with YOUR unique goals, ensuring each session addresses what’s most important to you and supports the outcomes you are striving to achieve. A plan tailored to your specific needs is key to achieving the results you desire, as a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short.
A good pelvic floor therapist acknowledges their limits. Just like any other medical provider, there will be times when they don’t have the answer to your question. The key is honesty—acknowledging when something is outside of their expertise is far more valuable than offering a false answer. A skilled pelvic PT will say, “I’m not sure, but let me do some research and get back to you!”
Another important aspect of great care is knowing when to refer you to another provider. If another professional or service can offer the treatments or support that best meets your needs, a dedicated pelvic PT will put your well-being first by connecting you with the right resources.
My Advice for Finding YOUR Pelvic PT
Do yourself a favor and interview 2–3 different pelvic floor therapists before deciding. Take the time to assess their experience, how their appointments are structured, and their overall approach to care. Trust your instincts and choose the therapist that feels right for you.
Let’s Redefine Women’s Health Together
At 4th Trimester Physical Therapy, I’m dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that prioritizes your health and well-being. Whether you’re a new mom navigating postpartum recovery or facing pelvic floor challenges for the first time or many times, I’m here to support, educate, and empower you on your pelvic floor journey.
Thank you for considering 4th Trimester Physical Therapy. Let’s work together to improve your quality of life—because you deserve nothing less.
Can you think of any other qualities that a a great pelvic floor PT should have? Let me know your thoughts below!
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