What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are registered physiotherapists who have specialized training in the treatment of the pelvic health dysfunction. Like physiotherapists in other settings, our goal is to assist our clients in resuming their daily or nightly activities as quickly as possible. Our ultimate goal being the ability to help decrease the impact that their pelvic health is having on their lives. What makes us different from other physiotherapists is our training to assess the pelvic floor muscles by doing an internal pelvic exam. If you want more information regarding the internal pelvic exam, please feel free to contact us!
When should you see a Pelvic Health Specialist?
You should see a pelvic health therapist when you:
• Plan on becoming pregnant, currently pregnant or post-partum
• Leak urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing or doing activities
• Have pain with intercourse
• Feel pressure or heaviness in your pelvic region
• Feel pain in your pelvic region
What Do We Treat?
Numerous women and men suffer from:
• Incontinence (leakage)
• Urinary Frequency
• Urinary Urgency
• Bowel Issues including Constipation, Pain and Straining
• Unexplained pain in low back, the pelvic region, genitals or rectum
• Pain during or following intercourse, orgasm or stimulation, ejaculation problems
• Pelvic Organ prolapse
• Pelvic Pain and Abdominal Pain
• Pre and Post Pregnancy Issues including pain, leakage, diastasis recti, scarring from c-section, tears or episiotomy
About Treatment
Treatment often includes (but not always):
• Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture
• Manual Therapy
• Therapeutic Modalities
• Connective Tissue and Scar Mobilization
• Myofascial Release
• Brain/Nervous System Retraining
• Relaxation and Breathing Training
• Ongoing and Inclusive Exercises
• Education/Retraining
• Posture/Alignment
• Self-care Training
How Do We Assess?
Just like any other body part, the area being assessed needs to be exposed in an effort to see if your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other structures are working the way that they should be. It is vital that the therapist perform a detailed assessment of the perineum, the pelvic floor muscles and most importantly pelvic floor movement, strength and coordination. We also take a very detailed history and assess breathing patterns, other joints and muscles in the spine and hips, along with sensory and reflex tests. All of these components must be considered to determine the proper treatment plan for you, as an individual.
Research continues to show that when pelvic floors are assessed internally, treatments carried out by pelvic health physiotherapists are highly successful and should be the first line of defence before medication and surgery. Always remember that pelvic health physiotherapists are highly trained, sensitive professionals who will discuss all aspects of assessment and treatment with you thoroughly before proceeding.
Service Fees
Pelvic Health Assessment are $160 (usually 1 hour long), pelvic health follow up visits are $105 (usually 45 minutes long). A pelvic health assessment may include an internal pelvic exam.
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept WCB claims at this time.
*Fees for services are the responsibility of the client. Contact us for more information on direct billing or submitting invoices.