Commonly Asked Questions
Learn more about the symptoms and conditions pelvic floor therapy can help address, and the treatments that our specialized therapists use.
Is pelvic pain normal?
Pain within the pelvis is not normal. It is not something you have to live with. It’s also not normal to have back pain, pelvic pain or tail bone pain during pregnancy or following pregnancy. These are issues that can be treated by
pelvic floor therapy and not something that a person has to accept.
Is it normal to leak urine when I cough or sneeze?
It is never normal to leak urine or feces when you sneeze, cough, jump or perform any sort of physical activity. It is also never normal to experience these things during your everyday life. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help address these issues.
What can I expect during my first treatment?
During the initial evaluation, your pelvic health therapist will ask specific questions to try and understand the cause of your symptoms. You will discuss the type of exam that she would like to perform, and you will work together to select the treatments you are most comfortable with moving forward. You will always be asked for permission to perform any portion of the exam. Your comfort is vital for positive results, and we will always discuss everything with you first and welcome any questions you have for us.
Is an internal exam required?
An internal exam is the best way to determine how well your pelvic muscles are working and to discover the root causes of your problems. However, an internal exam is not required and will only be completed if you are completely comfortable with it. Your pelvic floor therapist will always discuss your options with you and allow you to select the exam and treatments that you are comfortable performing and/or receiving.
What should I wear?
Comfortable and loose-fitting clothing.
Will insurance cover this therapy?
Pelvic health therapy is considered a physical therapy service, and coverage will be consistent with that. When you call to schedule your appointment, our office staff will check with your insurance to see what physical therapy services are covered, and this will be fully explained to you before beginning therapy.
How frequently will I have to come in for visits?
You will decide this with your therapist but expect to come once a week or every two weeks for one to three months. Your therapist will discuss your plan of care with you to schedule realistic appointments that meet your needs. Compliance will determine your success, and we depend on your input to develop a plan that works for you and with your schedule.
How long are the appointments?
Your first appointment may last 60 to 90 minutes for all your questions to be answered and to allow your therapist to understand your symptoms. After the evaluation, you can expect your sessions to last 30 to 60 minutes.
How long until I see results?
With consistent work and treatment, you should begin to see changes in your symptoms in about two weeks.
Are there private rooms available?
Yes. Private rooms are available at all times for patients. We respect your privacy, and we want you to feel completely comfortable so you can focus on healing.
Will therapy be painful?
Healthy muscles should not be painful to touch. You should only feel light pressure during your external and internal assessment. If pain happens during an exam, you should inform your therapist immediately. This helps your therapist understand your symptoms, and your therapist can adjust the exam accordingly to respect them. As always, you can ask your therapist to stop the exam if you are having trouble tolerating the symptoms.
Can’t I just do Kegels for incontinence?
No. Your incontinence may be a result of weakness, but poor pelvic floor function (such as leakage) can be due to coordination issues (muscles not working together well or working at the wrong time), fatigue, overactive pelvic floor muscles or other common problems. An evaluation from your pelvic health physical therapist will give you targeted treatments and improved results. If not appropriate for your diagnosis, Kegels can make your problem worse.
Can I come to therapy on my period?
Yes. Menses will not affect our exam or treatment. However, if it makes you feel more comfortable to wait until your menstrual cycle is complete, please do that. We want you to feel 100% comfortable with your experience. We also provide soft cups for your use during therapy to stop or reduce the flow of menses, if it makes you more comfortable.
Is pelvic health just about my pelvis?
No. We will be evaluating your back, your core and your pelvic floor to improve your symptoms. The relationship between your trunk and your pelvis is vital for your success in pelvic rehab.
Can pelvic health fix my incontinence?
Incontinence can have several root causes, one of which is weakness or poor control of your pelvic floor muscles. Your physical therapy examination will identify areas that may be contributing to or causing your incontinence. Your therapist can assist you with a program to help address your symptoms.
Can my partner come?
Yes. Your partner is welcome to come and support you during your appointments.
For More Information
We offer telephone consultations to help patients feel more comfortable before an in-person visit.
To ask questions, setup a telephone consultation or to make an in-person appointment, call 706-509-3892.