Pelvic floor therapy involves assessing and treating the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues of the pelvic floor, which support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. These muscles play a key role in core stability, bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and overall movement. Pelvic floor therapy is provided by a trained clinician who uses hands-on techniques, exercises, breathing strategies, and lifestyle guidance to improve strength, coordination, relaxation, and function of the pelvic floor. Treatment is individualized and can benefit men, women including pregnancy, and children of all ages, whether symptoms are new, long-standing, or preventative in nature.
Reasons to seek pelvic floor therapy include:
- Urinary incontinence (leakage with coughing, sneezing, exercise, or urgency)
- Fecal incontinence or difficulty controlling gas
- Pelvic organ prolapse or feelings of heaviness or pressure
- Pelvic pain (including vulvar, vaginal, penile, rectal, or tailbone pain)
- Painful intercourse or sexual dysfunction
- Pregnancy-related discomfort or preparation for birth
- Postpartum recovery (including C-section or vaginal delivery)
- Pain or difficulty after pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Chronic constipation or difficulty emptying bowels
- Overactive bladder or frequent urination
- Core weakness, diastasis recti, or low back/hip pain related to pelvic floor dysfunction
- Pain in pelvis with sitting, standing, or physical activity
- Pre- or post-prostate surgery rehabilitation
- Support for athletes with pelvic floor symptoms during sport or exercise
Our pelvic floor therapist, Taryn, is passionate about pelvic floor rehabilitation, especially supporting moms recover from childbirth. As a registered nurse with nearly a decade spent in obstetrical nursing care paired with her focused training in pelvic floor rehabilitation, Taryn has developed a deep understanding of both what women go through to give birth and the struggles that sometimes come after, including pelvic pain, painful intercourse, difficulty with controlling gas, bowels or bladder. As a clinician and a mom, she is passionate about supporting her patients in their journey to better pelvic health.
FAQ
What should I expect for my visit?
The pelvic floor therapist will ask you questions about what your have been experiencing, and then do an internal pelvic exam which includes inserting a finger into the vagina and/or rectum and assessing the health of the area. Then the therapist may work by identifying areas of restriction, scarring, muscle tightness or laxity and treating them with physical therapy, exercise prescriptions, stretches etc to restore function of the tissue.
How long are visits?
Most of the time visits are 50 minutes, however the therapist may suggest a shorter visit depending on the patient’s needs.
How often are visits?
It varies widely depending on the case, but it is common to do a visit every 2 weeks at the beginning of treatment and reducing to monthly visits for more maintenance care.
Are visits covered by insurance?
Please check with your provider to see what is covered by your extended health plan. Health care spending accounts will cover these treatments. You may claim any uninsured visit fees at the end of the year on taxes as a health care expense. Please note that our clinician is a registered nurse and you may not be able to be claim these visits as “physiotherapy” on your benefits. Pelvic floor rehabilitation training occurs after graduation so various professions can access this training and offer pelvic rehabilitation services. We believe that having the years of obstetrical nursing care our therapist has is a huge asset to her understanding and treating her patients.
NATURA Integrative care clinic 