Pelvic Health Physiotherapy - The Root Natural Health Clinic

Common Questions about Pelvic Physiotherapy:

1. Who are pelvic floor physiotherapists?

Pelvic floor PTs are physiotherapists who have received additional training in intra-vaginal and intra-rectal examinations. They are skilled in rehabilitation of muscles involved in urinary, bowel and sexual dysfunction

2. What should I expect at my first session?

Your PT will start off by obtaining a detailed history of your symptoms. She will discuss your medical history, surgical history, obstetric history, lifestyle, home environment, reasons for your visit, short- and long-term goals, etc. The questions may seem personal and extensive, but if there are any problems in these areas, it may be related to the dysfunction- therefore, we encourage you to share as much information as is comfortable, to enable your physiotherapist to make a well-informed and accurate diagnosis. We will do our best to ensure you feel heard, comfortable and informed during the session.

After obtaining these details, your PT will perform a physical assessment, including a neuro-musculo-skeletal scan of the spine and hips, abdomen and thighs, and a (non-mandatory) internal vaginal and rectal pelvic floor exam. The extent of the assessment varies based on your symptoms and may not all be completed on your first visit. If you feel uncomfortable with an internal exam, feel free to communicate this to the PT, so she can provide suitable alternatives.

Upon completion, your pelvic physiotherapist will discuss her findings with you, provide an individualized treatment program based on your goals, and provide information and resources as required. There will also be time for questions.

3. What do I stand to gain from pelvic physiotherapy?

From your appointments, we hope to provide-

Pain management
Hands-on manual therapy treatment for improved mobility and stability
Advice regarding activity and lifestyle modifications
Corrective exercises specific to you
Strategies to improve posture, mechanics, walking, and other daily activities that improve your quality of life
Information and education

4. How many treatments will I require?

This varies based on individual responses to treatment, but typically 6-12 sessions suffice in simple diagnoses like incontinence/prolapse.

5. How do I know if I need pelvic floor physiotherapy?

Here are some signs and symptoms that can be managed successfully with pelvic physiotherapy:

pain during sex (for people assigned female at birth)
difficulty keeping an erection (for people assigned male at birth)
urine or stool that leaks (with a jump/cough/laugh/heavy lift)
trouble releasing a bowel movement
A frequent need to urinate
incomplete emptying of the bladder even after urinating
Waking up 1-2 times at night to urinate
persistent lower back pain, resistant to treatment
pain with urination
pain in the pelvic region
straining/changing positions on the toilet seat/using your hand to eliminate stool
sensation of something heavy around your abdomen or genitals
feeling like there’s something coming down your vagina
feeling or seeing a bulge/lump inside or coming out of your vagina
prostate surgery

Not sure if your symptoms can be aided by pelvic physiotherapy?

We understand!

Ever so often, we expect that urinary leakages and increased frequency are a “normal” part of aging, or having children. We’re here to tell you that it isn’t necessarily so!

We are currently offering a free-of-charge phone call with our pelvic physiotherapist, who is happy to guide you through any questions you may have, to help you best understand the scope of pelvic physiotherapy for you.

Pediatric Pelvic Health Physiotherapy (new clients welcome! All consultations are virtual)

Common concerns include:
-Bedwetting (enuresis)
-Involuntary release of urine while the child is asleep at an age when staying dry at night can be reasonably expected.
-Urge Incontinence: This occurs when a child has a significant urgency to pee and may have leakage as a result.
-Voiding Postponement: This is when a child has a habit of holding their urine.
– Overactive Bladder
-Constipation: infrequent or difficult to pass stool
– Underactive Bladder
-Dysfunctional Voiding: “intermittent stream”
-Stress Incontinence: urinary leakage with activities like jumping, running, coughing, sneezing and laughing. (increased abdominal pressure).
-Encopresis: also known as fecal incontinence
-Giggle Incontinence
-Bladder Outlet Obstruction
-Pelvic Pain

As a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Amanda can help!

Pre-Natal Pelvic Health Physiotherapy (currently not accepting new clients)

Pelvic floor muscles are intimately involved in carrying and labouring baby. They should be prepared during pregnancy and for labour so that they can be in optimal function during and post delivery.

An assessment would determine if the pelvic floor tissues are hypotonic (weak)and need to be strengthened versus hypertonic (tight) and need to be relaxed prior to strengthening.

As a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Amanda can also customize an appropriate exercise program to manage any symptoms during pregnancy and to prepare for post partum recovery.

Amanda can also perform and teach perineal massage to help decrease or prevent the risk of tearing during delivery.

Post- Partum Pelvic Health Physiotherapy (currently not accepting new clients)

Pregnancy and labour can cause significant changes to your body and pelvic floor. As a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Amanda can help assess the tissues post partum and treat accordingly. She determines if diastasis recti and/or prolapse is present and works to decrease the severity. Amanda ensures that the pelvic floor is working appropriately to reduce or eliminate potential incontinence, constipation or pelvic pain issues. With regards to a cesarian birth, pelvic health physiotherapy can assess and treat scar tissue and ensure there are no adhesions causing undue tension or prevention of core activation.

Amanda can also guide you in your return to exercise/sport and help you progress appropriately during your post partum journey.