FAQs
What is the pelvic floor?
Everyone has a pelvic floor! It’s found at the bottom of our hips/pelvis. The pelvic floor consists of muscles, fascia, and nerves. It’s responsible for bladder, bowel, and sexual function. The pelvic floor muscles are a key component of your core, which helps establish stability in the pelvis and trunk of the body. Pelvic floor dysfunction could result in bowel, bladder, sexual issues, and/or pelvic pain.
What is pelvic floor therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialty niche that assesses the pelvic floor, and considers the strength, endurance, length, and control of the pelvic floor alongside other musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, fascial, and visceral structures in the body that could be contributing to impairment.
Am I an appropriate candidate for pelvic floor therapy?
Because the pelvic floor governs urinary, bowel, and sexual function, those who have pelvic floor dysfunction may experience the following but are not limited to:
Difficulty with bowel movements and urination, increased/decreased urinary frequency, straining with urination or defecation
Painful intercourse, difficulty inserting tampons, pain during or after orgasm/ejaculation, difficulty obtaining/sustaining an erection
Pain around the abdomen and/or pelvis, mid to low back pain (including shoulders, neck, and jaw)
Improving aches, pains, or issues during pregnancy and postpartum; as well as education on pushing strategies and labor preparation
What does a pelvic exam by a pelvic floor therapist look like?
A pelvic floor exam by a pelvic floor therapist is entirely different from a pelvic exam by your gynecologist. As a pelvic floor therapist, we assess (with gentle ease and intention), your skin integrity, sensation, coordination, strength, flexibility, neural involvement, and tone of your pelvic floor muscles. This involves one gloved lubricated finger into the vaginal or rectal canal to gather information needed to help you attain your goals. A speculum may be used with your consent.
If the internal exam is deferred, there is much information that can be gleaned from examining neighboring musculoskeletal structures that do not need to be assessed vaginally or rectally. However, in most cases, the pelvic floor is involved. If you’re not comfortable with undergoing this assessment and treatment, we will happily discuss your options.
Can I come on my period?
Yes! Your period will not interfere with your appointment. However, it is understandable that some people may feel uncomfortable with internal manual work while on their period. Therefore, your consent will always be asked if you would like to proceed with internal work that day. Otherwise, external structures can be treated and/or a myriad of other treatment interventions can be done in place of. Internal manual work, while it is a hallmark of pelvic floor therapy, it is not the end all and be all of this type of rehab therapy.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to come in?
You do not need a physicians’ referral to get started with a pelvic floor therapist or an occupational therapist in California. Request an appointment now to schedule an evaluation.
Do I need an internal exam or internal manual work done each session?
No. There are so many factors that impact pelvic floor function, therefore there are many things that can and must be treated outside of the pelvic floor. Our intention is to ensure you feel safe, so if your body does not want internal manual work done that day, that is respected. You will still benefit from pelvic floor therapy regardless.
I’m pregnant. When should I come in?
You can come in as early as you’d like if you just want to know where you are; or if you start to feel persistent aches and pains that are impacting your ability to take care of yourself, walk, exercise, or work.
Around your third trimester is when we provide birth prep education that includes pushing strategies, partner training (perineal massage, counter pressure techniques), and exploration of labor positions for your unique pelvic floor.
When should I come in if I’m postpartum?
You can start coming in following your six-week OBGYN and/or midwife appointment. Research supports seeking pelvic floor therapy even earlier if you are physically able.
How long does a session last?
All sessions are an hour long.
Is The Healing Pelvis covered by my insurance?
The Healing Pelvis services are provided by a licensed occupational therapist and may be covered by your insurance provider as an out-of-network medical benefit. We provide a superbill after each visit for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my session?
In order to respect the time of our patient’s and practitioner, we do have a late cancellation and no-show policy. If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, we require 24 hours advance notice. If you cancel or reschedule within the 24-hour period, you will be charged for the session.