Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Services

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Treatments

Women and Men’s Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

At Opal Physiotherapy our physiotherapists have a special interest and have extensive post-graduate training in the management of pelvic floor dysfunction in men and women.

All assessment and treatment sessions are one on one and are conducted in a private and supportive environment. Our Therapist has training in performing internal and external pelvic floor assessment and management.

How does Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Work?

Our Pelvic Health Physiotherapy treatment may include specific exercises to strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles, motor control and core muscle re-training, visceral and somatic mobilization techniques, education and lifestyle modifications.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Services Provided At Opal Physio

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

What Happens During My Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Session?

Your consultation is all conducted in private rooms and is one on one. You will be asked detailed questions related to your problems or symptoms.

* Protecting your privacy and confidentiality is important to us *

Pelvic floor assessment often involves an internal vaginal/rectal examination which will help provide very useful information about your pelvic floor muscle tone and strength as well as to guide the right treatment, this will always be done only with your consent and are conducted in a private and supportive environment.

 If you are uncomfortable in any way, an alternate way of assessment and treatment can be discussed with you as well.

After the examination, your physiotherapist will discuss the results of the examination and can discuss treatment options tailored for you.

The Ultimate Guide to Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy With FAQ

Most people know about core muscle training and abdominal exercises when it comes to the pelvis, but few have heard of pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP). Pelvic floor muscles are some of the strongest muscles in our body. They support the pelvic organs; help keep the bladder and bowel function and control.

Pelvic floor therapy has been long known for developing and maintaining pelvic muscle strength and function for improving men and women’s ability to control urinary incontinence. Still, recent research has shown that this knowledge goes far beyond urinary incontinence. Many think Pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP) is a relatively new treatment option; however, it has been in existence for quite a long time. Pelvic exercises are traditionally recommended for women to improve urinary and bowel incontinence. However, men are also at risk of developing pelvic muscle problems, leading to pelvic pain, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or pain during intercourse.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on treating pelvic disorders. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a part of physiotherapy, using exercises at a low-level/low load to improve everyday function to a higher level for training athletes having pelvic floor problems. Pelvic floor muscle training helps restore function, improve strength and stability, and improve individuals’ quality of life with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized physical therapy treatment for a wide variety of conditions that aim to restore the pelvic floor’s normal function. Pelvic floor physical therapy has been an effective treatment option for patients with pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, stress or urgency urinary incontinence etc.

A pelvic physiotherapist can help with bladder training, which is an effective way to treat overactive bladder along with other medical treatment/procedures.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is an invaluable treatment for both men and women with urinary incontinence and other pelvic dysfunction. This article explains the common questions and answers you might have regarding pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment to help improve your life quality.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy - Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions on Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy:

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that run from the pubic bone in the front and tailbone.They are the network of muscles that are part of the pelvic girdle, which comprises pelvic bones supporting the bladder, uterus, and rectum.

The pelvic floor muscle.

  • Supports the organs in your pelvic region, including the bladder, bowel, and uterus. It supports organs against gravity and intraabdominal pressure.
  • Controls the urethra, vagina, and rectum opening to help maintain voluntary actions like urination, bowel movements and sexual functions.
  • Provides the tone for vaginal and rectal walls.
  • Provides support and stability to the lower back by reducing the load on the spine and assists in SI joint, lumbopelvic and hip joints stability.
  • Also functions as a sump-pump to help with venous and lymphatic fluid movements in the pelvis. Risks.

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is “I have a weak pelvic floor muscle how can it be helped?

A weak pelvic floor muscle is a condition characterized by the inability of the pelvic floor muscles to support the pelvic organs adequately. A weak pelvic floor can make it hard to control your bladder and bowels and can make you more prone to incontinence, pelvic discomfort, reduced vaginal sensation etc. Urinary incontinence can be a result of several factors such as shearing of pelvic floor muscles, lack of core strength, and overtraining of pelvic floor muscles.

This condition can be caused by many different factors, and there is no single cause for a weak pelvic floor muscle. In some cases, the cause may be mechanical and can be fixed with exercises or other means.

Pelvic floor muscle strength can easily be identified with a physical exam of the pelvic floor muscles, and this is one area that a pelvic floor physiotherapist is trained in.
A weak pelvic floor can be addressed by strength training with Kegel-based exercises and muscle re-training.

Pelvic floor muscle tightness is an increased tone in the muscles with difficulty to contract or relax. A tight pelvic floor muscle can cause pelvic discomfort and urge incontinence, constipation, painful intercourse and more.

Pelvic muscle tightness can also result from specific exercises that can increase PFM tension, like excessive core workout and stress.

A pelvic therapist may help you identify if you have a tight pelvic muscle and help you with pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Several risk factors can cause problems with pelvic floor muscles. These include pregnancy and childbirth, multiple pregnancies, age over 40, post-menopausal from hormonal changes, obesity, trauma (from a fall on the buttock, delivery including suction use, tearing, forceps etc.), gynecological surgeries, chronic cough, chronic straining/ constipation, smoking etc.

Pelvic floor problems can also be caused by stress, fear, and anxiety. Stress is a big trigger for a pelvic problem, which includes pelvic pain as it can lead to tight muscles.

Pelvic health physiotherapy is a physiotherapy branch that uses an evidence-based approach focusing on improving the female or male pelvic function.

Pelvic floor physiotherapist focuses their treatment on the muscles and nervous system in the pelvic region, affected by conditions such as pelvic pain, incontinence and or prolapse.
It aims to restore pelvic muscle function and help improve bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and quality of life.

Pelvic physiotherapists use a holistic approach to treating pelvic floor Dysfunction. Pelvic floor muscle training improves muscle function (from unintentional loss of urine or feces), education on bladder and bowel function, behaviour modification, bladder training, Cognitive behavioural therapy for bladder retraining etc.

Pelvic physiotherapy also includes pelvic floor exercises to help with women’s health issues during pregnancy, including urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, SIJ and Low back pain.

Pelvic physiotherapy is a proactive treatment approach for women with increased risk of incontinence and organ prolapse after abdominal, gynecological surgeries or postpartum.

  • If there is a discomfort in your pelvic region or a diagnosed or undiagnosed pelvic condition, then a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help identify your condition and provide appropriate solutions.
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapist treat a wide range of conditions affecting the pelvis. They can help restore pelvic muscle normal functions and help reduce pelvic floor muscle dysfunction symptoms such as urinary urge incontinence, stress incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.
  • Pelvic physiotherapist are an essential part of any woman’s health, including pregnancy/ childbirth. Exercises prescribed are safe, which helps improve lumbopelvic muscle function.
  • A research study by Dr. Rachel Paul (2013) on women who have had pelvic floor physiotherapy after a pelvic organ prolapse surgery has proven to help build muscle strength, control and relaxation to regain a better quality of life.
  • The physiotherapist always uses a one-on-one approach to provide appropriate care and treatment.

A pelvic health physiotherapist can help with most pelvic issues in the pelvis and PFM. There are many different types of women’s and men’s health issues caused due to pelvic dysfunction, and each one of these issues needs a different treatment plan based on your individual needs.

The pelvic therapist can perform comprehensive assessment (physical, external and internal vaginal or rectal ) to help identify the issues and provide a treatment plan based on symptoms and treat underlying causes. Treatment approaches can include widely from

  • Education on physical causes of bladder or bowel irritants and bladder function
  • Behaviour modifications
  • Central nervous system role in pain and incontinence
  • Exercises for improving strength or relaxation training
  • PFM training (including Kegels or reverse Kegels exercises)
  • Biofeedback
  • Electrical Muscle Stimulation
  • Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS)
  • Manual therapy
  • Hypopressive Exercise
  • Bladder and bowel training (for constipation issues).

Our Pelvic Health Physiotherapy treatment may include specific exercises to strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles, motor control and core muscle re-training, visceral and somatic mobilization techniques, education and lifestyle modifications.

You can find out whether you need pelvic floor physiotherapy by asking yourself these questions:

  • Do you have pain in your pelvic region (vaginal, rectal, penile, perineal, testicular area)?
  • Do you have a strong urge to pee with or without any urine loss?
  • Do you have difficulty initiating urination?
  • Do you feel pressure in your pelvis?
  • Do you experience any urine loss with cough, sneeze or laugh?
  • Do you experience painful intercourse?
  • Do you have burning with urination in the absence of a UTI diagnosis?
  • Do you strain to facilitate a bowel movement or experiencing constipation issues and pain with a bowel movement?
  • Are you urinating more than eight times per day?
  • Do you experience pelvic pain with sitting?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you will benefit from seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist who has had appropriate training to assess your pelvic floor through an internal vaginal or rectal exam. Please consult your health care provider.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help treat a wide range of pelvic problems or symptoms related to Pelvic floor muscles or lumbopelvic issues. A pelvic therapist can treat conditions like Overactive bladder – Urgency/ urge urinary incontinence – stress urinary incontinence – pelvic pain from connective tissue dysfunction. A pelvic

A physiotherapist can help to find and correct the underlying causes of certain pelvic conditions, including.

  • Low back issues
  • SIJ dysfunction
  • Vulvodynia
  • Vestibulodynia
  • Vaginismus
  • Dyspareunia
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Bladder pain syndrome
  • Urinary Problems related to Chronic prostatitis.
  • Pain from Endometriosis
  • Chronic Pelvic pain from connective tissue dysfunction
  • Levator Ani Syndrome
  • Coccydynia
  • Proctalgia Fugax
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Pudendal neuralgia
  • Bladder sphincter dyssynergia
  • Pregnancy-related low back and SIJoint pain.
  • Diastasis Recti

Please consult your pelvic floor physiotherapist if you have any of the above conditions or if you are unsure if you have a pelvic problem.

Many of us will experience pelvic floor problems at some point in life, and it is imperative that we seek help and address the issues as early as possible. The frequency of pelvic floor physio sessions required varies from person to person and from situation to situation. Many different types of treatment approaches are used to help your condition or symptoms.

Most people can get results with a few sessions, but sometimes it requires series of sessions to help manage and treat your problems. It is essential to discuss your specific situation with your physical therapist, but in most cases, three to six sessions are a good starting point. Your physiotherapist can help guide you and provide an appropriate treatment plan and follow-up visits based on your need or conditions, which can differ between individuals.

Doctors commonly refer their patients to a range of services to help with their problems. If you have been referred to another physio clinic, you may be wondering whether you can still come to Opal Physio to receive treatment?

Of course, you can go to any clinic of your choice to receive your treatments.

You may not be aware, but there are many kinds of physio clinics out there, and each clinic may not provide you with the services you require; please ensure to call or research to find the clinic that suits your needs.

If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact us to set up an appointment.

The length of a physiotherapy appointment is not the same for every patient. The treatment time depends upon the severity of the condition; it may also depend upon the frequency and type of treatments deemed necessary for you.

A physiotherapist will spend time assessing your condition and deciding on the best course of treatment. The physiotherapist will also guide you in the treatment and advise you regarding the home exercise program.

The pelvic physio appointments typically vary from 30 Minutes to 1-hour sessions based on individual needs and conditions. Initial appointments are usually hour-long

As a physiotherapist who works with people suffering from dyspareunia, I know how distressing this problem can be, and I’m sorry you’re going through this. I am glad you are trying to find an answer and solution to this problem; many people do not like to converse.

Some women experience pain during intercourse at some point in their lives. It can become a persistent problem and can affect your personal quality of life.

While trying to get back to the swing of things after having a baby, you are likely to experience some discomfort – especially if you have had a cesarian or it was your first baby. Pelvic physio can help you with your pelvic pain, and it is beneficial for anyone who has discomfort during intercourse, vaginal fissures, the insertion of tampons etc.

Pelvic physiotherapy can help with your pain. Please consult your health care provider/physiotherapist.

Men and women are not that different, and they share similar diseases and conditions to a degree. Yet, there are some differences between male pelvic health and female pelvic health as their pelvic anatomy is different.

– There is usually no prolapse in men, but post-prostatectomy incontinence issues, post-void dribble, are common among men.

– Men usually use maximal effort with muscles and overdo it. They will likely need some down training with different muscle activation patterns and customized exercise programs that can vary when it comes to pelvic health.

Men who are interested in pelvic floor physical therapy should be aware of the many reasons why male pelvic floor physical therapy is superior to other types of treatment.

Pelvic floor physical therapy (or “rehabilitation”) can help men recover from urinary incontinence after prostate surgery and from pelvic pain with connective tissue stiffness.

Men often neglect their pelvic floor musculature until they develop a significant problem. It is recommended that men not let a pelvic floor problem go untreated, as it may cause problems with their bladder, rectum, prostate, or sexual function.

Pelvic floor muscle training is a great preventative tool that helps men avoid pelvic floor problems and helps them enjoy better sex life and maintain bladder control, reduce pain, and improve quality of life, among other things.

Most of the pelvic floor exercises prescribed by your pelvic therapist can be performed anywhere, at any time, at your comfort level.

When you arrive at your first pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment, you can expect the following:

  • Upon entry, you will be asked few questions regarding your symptoms and will be required to complete a symptom monitor or other questionnaires.
  • Your answers to these questionnaires will help the physiotherapist assess and determine your condition’s best treatment plan.
  • A thorough/detailed clinical assessment from a pelvic floor physiotherapist.

An internal pelvic exam or an Intra-Pelvic Ultrasound is an exam performed on women or men to evaluate the pelvic floor muscles’ function.

An internal pelvic exam may be the last thing you want to think about, especially when you are in pain.

An internal pelvic examination may seem scary, annoying, or intrusive; however, it is undertaken for very good reasons.

An internal pelvic exam is a quick and efficient way to evaluate your pelvic floor muscles’ status.

It is essential for your physiotherapist to know as much about your condition as possible. This gives them the best chance of helping you to recover quickly and thoroughly.

We may have an internal examination portion in some sessions as required based on your condition with your consent.

One of the most common questions about pelvic physiotherapy is whether all pelvic physiotherapy sessions will include an internal examination?

Most physiotherapy sessions do not involve internal pelvic examination unless the physiotherapist finds a requirement for it and the patient consents to it.

The internal exam is a small portion of the session that can include vaginal or rectal palpation to assess the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles for any muscle spasms or tightness that could be contributing to your pelvic floor dysfunction.

However, the therapist can find alternate ways to help with an assessment if you are not comfortable with an internal exam and please make sure to talk to your therapist during the appointment.

After having a baby, any woman knows that it was a physically demanding event, and it can take the body a while to return to its pre-pregnancy state. During pregnancy, the pelvis muscles, also called pelvic floor muscles, relax to allow room for the baby to grow. They then play a big part in supporting the womb and the bladder, and as such, they are used extensively during labour.

It might be necessary and helpful to consult a pelvic floor physio after childbirth as it can improve the muscles’ function. Pelvic floor exercises are incredibly beneficial for women who have just had a baby to strengthen muscles and conditioning.

Consulting a pelvic floor physiotherapist gives women a chance to maintain or even improve their pelvic floor strength to avoid urinary, bowel incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.

However, all women are recommended to consult a pelvic floor physiotherapist after childbirth if they experience any of the following symptoms: leaking urine, post-void dribble, difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels, or dyspareunia. If left untreated, pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to persistent conditions.

We get many questions from patients wondering how pelvic physiotherapy treatment differs if you had a vaginal birth or a c-section.

After all, if pelvic floor therapy is all about strengthening the pelvic floor muscles or doing kegel’s exercises, it may indeed not matter whether you have had a vaginal birth or a c-section. You are still trying to strengthen the same muscles, right? Probably not; there may be a difference.

The truth is that we need to take into consideration the type of birth a patient has had when treating them for pelvic dysfunction, as how the pelvic muscle has been used and affected by the way they have given birth and the force generated through the pelvis during the birth process will affect the nature and type of treatment required.

It is essential to work with a pelvic health physio to learn to train your pelvic floor muscles and regain function.

We serve Pelvic physiotherapy clients in and around Langley BC, Langley Twp BC, Coquitlam BC, Surrey BC, Delta BC Richmond BC, Burnaby BC, Maple Ridge BC, White Rock BC and Abbotsford BC.