Why I recommend seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist

empowering women pelvic floor pelvic floor dysfunction pelvic floor physiotherapist pelvic pain the buff muff app Nov 11, 2022

By Kim Vopni, The Vagina Coach — Certified Pelvic Floor Fitness Specialist · Published November 11, 2022

Direct Answer

Seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist is worth it because pelvic floor dysfunction — leaking, prolapse symptoms, pain, or tailbone discomfort — is common but not something you have to live with. A physiotherapist assesses your pelvic floor muscles directly and builds a targeted treatment plan, often resolving symptoms that generic exercise alone can't fix.

Key Takeaways

Pelvic floor dysfunction affects millions of women, yet most wait years before seeking help.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist offers an internal assessment and personalized treatment plan you can't get from generic exercise advice.
Warning signs to see a physio include leaking, pelvic pain, painful sex, prolapse symptoms, and pregnancy or postpartum changes.
Directories like pelvicguru.com make it easy to find a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist near you.

Did You Know?

3.3 million Canadians are affected by pelvic floor dysfunction every year.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, and like any other muscles in our body, they benefit from movement that focuses on strength, endurance, and flexibility.

The pelvic floor is responsible for sexual response, organ support, carrying our babies, maintaining our continence and more. The pelvic floor muscles are integral to the function of everything in the body, but it’s not until there’s a problem that we appreciate their importance.

Many women are unaware of the help available, and on average, women wait 6.5 to 7 years to talk to someone, but the truth is that there is help available. You can significantly improve your quality of life by taking the time to treat pelvic floor dysfunction with pelvic floor physiotherapy and exercise. You don’t have to put up with the nagging symptoms.

I am on a mission to normalize the conversation and empower women to find support, and I recommend a pelvic floor physiotherapist as the first stop!

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic Floor physical therapy involves an assessment of the internal and external genitalia using a gloved finger - a process by which you can get to the root of your pelvic floor dysfunction.

Seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist can help you figure out what’s really going on and give you a plan to address the underlying issues. These professionals have extensive experience, education, and a commitment to women’s wellness. They can explain what is going on with your body in an accessible way so you can participate in your recovery.

They help women address pelvic floor dysfunction from the inside out. After a thorough assessment, targeted exercises are prescribed to improve women's quality of life dealing with pain, discomfort and leaking. A pelvic floor physiotherapist is trained as a regular physical therapist and has additional training in the pelvic floor. They are licensed to assess and treat beyond the entrance to the vagina.

When should I see a pelvic floor physical therapist?

You pee a little if you run, laugh, or lift something.
Feelings of pressure in the vagina.
Sex is painful sometimes or all the time.
You have endometriosis.
You have back, hip, buttock (sacroiliac), or tailbone pain.

So basically…

if you are pregnant, see a pelvic floor physio
if you are a new or even seasoned mom, see a pelvic floor physio
if you have a vagina, even if you have never had kids, even if you will never have kids, and even if you have no symptoms, see a pelvic floor physiotherapist!

What can I expect from pelvic floor therapy?

Undertaking a new course of treatment can be intimidating, especially in such an intimate area of your body. It’s understandable to be nervous when you don’t know what to expect or what the experience will be like. Rest assured, your individual challenges will be discussed and treated confidentially and with compassion.

If you are experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, or other annoying symptoms, I highly recommend you seek the support of a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist. When pelvic floor physical therapy treatment is available, there is no reason to put up with discomfort, pain, or bladder leakage.

You can google pelvic floor physical therapy and your city. You can also check out the directory at www.pelvicguru.com. Get ready to start feeling better, learn more about your body and get relief from your symptoms to improve your quality of life.

Women at any age, in any stage, birthing mothers or not, can benefit from pelvic floor exercise and strengthening internally.

The 28-Day Challenge and Buff Muff Membership

I recommend checking out my comprehensive pelvic health education and fitness programs on my Buff Muff App. The most complete Pelvic Floor & Kegel exercise App to strengthen the pelvic floor.

The Buff Muff 28-Day Challenge (housed in the App) gets you started, and the Annual membership keeps you progressing so you can laugh, run, jump, and lift without the pesky leaks and annoying discomfort of prolapse symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a pelvic floor physiotherapist actually do? A pelvic floor physiotherapist assesses your pelvic floor muscles to identify weakness, tightness, or coordination issues, then builds a personalized treatment plan. This can include manual therapy, targeted exercises, and lifestyle guidance to resolve leaking, pain, or prolapse symptoms.

When should I see a pelvic floor physical therapist? Consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist if you leak urine when you laugh, cough, or exercise, experience pelvic or tailbone pain, notice prolapse symptoms, or are pregnant or postpartum. Early intervention typically leads to faster, more complete symptom relief.

How is a pelvic floor physiotherapist different from a pelvic floor coach? A pelvic floor physiotherapist provides clinical diagnosis and hands-on treatment for dysfunction, while a pelvic floor coach focuses on fitness-based movement, education, and lifestyle strategies for prevention and ongoing support. Many women benefit from combining both.

How do I find a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist? You can search "pelvic floor physical therapy" plus your city, or use a trusted directory like pelvicguru.com to find qualified providers near you. Look for practitioners with specific pelvic health training, not just general physiotherapy credentials.

What can I expect at my first pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment? Your first appointment usually includes a health history discussion and an assessment of your pelvic floor muscles, which may be internal or external depending on your comfort level. From there, your physiotherapist builds a treatment plan targeting your specific symptoms.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our episode:
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Incontinence with Chana Ross

Listen to the episode