Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?

Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialized area of care that focuses on the assessment and treatment of the muscles, joints, and nerves within and around the pelvis. The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in bladder and bowel control, sexual function, organ support, and core stability.

When these muscles are not functioning properly—whether due to weakness, tension, injury, or surgery—people may experience pain, incontinence, prolapse, or other functional limitations. Physiotherapists with training in pelvic health provide targeted, evidence-based treatment to help individuals regain control, reduce discomfort, and restore pelvic function.

KEY BENEFITS

What Is the Pelvic Floor and Why Does It Matter?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues located at the base of the pelvis. These muscles:

Support pelvic organs such as the bladder, bowel, uterus, or prostate
Control continence by contracting and relaxing appropriately
Play a role in sexual function and pelvic sensation
Contribute to core stability and posture
Respond to pressure from breathing, lifting, exercise, and movement
Dysfunction in this area can lead to a wide range of symptoms—from discomfort and leakage to pain and reduced mobility



Key Benefits

Improved Bladder and Bowel Control

Pelvic floor physiotherapy helps address urinary urgency, frequency, leakage (incontinence), constipation, and fecal incontinence by retraining the muscles responsible for continence and coordination.

Reduced Pelvic Pain

Manual therapy, movement strategies, and breathing techniques help reduce chronic pelvic pain caused by muscle tension, scar tissue, nerve irritation, or overactivity of the pelvic floor.

Support During Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

Physiotherapy helps manage pelvic girdle pain, urinary leakage, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), and prolapse symptoms. It also supports safe return to exercise and daily activities after childbirth.

Recovery After Pelvic or Abdominal Surgery

After procedures such as hysterectomy, prostatectomy, or pelvic organ repair, physiotherapy supports healing, improves mobility, and restores muscle function.

Improved Sexual Function and Comfort

Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), vaginismus, or erectile dysfunction. Physiotherapy addresses the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular contributors to these conditions.

Better Core Stability and Posture

The pelvic floor works in coordination with the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and spine stabilizers. Optimizing this system can improve posture, reduce back or hip pain, and enhance physical performance.

Education and Long-Term Self-Management

Patients gain knowledge of their anatomy, contributing factors, and how to manage symptoms independently — promoting confidence and long-term results.

What Conditions Can Shockwave Help With?

Stress or urge urinary incontinence
Overactive bladder
Pelvic organ prolapse
Constipation and difficulty emptying
Fecal incontinence
Dyspareunia, vaginismus, and sexual pain

Chronic pelvic pain and tension
Endometriosis-related discomfort
Postpartum issues (perineal tearing, cesarean recovery, prolapse)
Recovery from gynecological or urological surgery
Coccydynia (tailbone pain)
Pain or dysfunction following gender-affirming surgery

What to Expect

Initial Assessment
A thorough consultation to understand your history, symptoms, and goals. Physical examination may include an internal or external pelvic floor assessment (only with your full consent).

Treatment Plan May Include:

Manual therapy (internal and/or external)
Pelvic floor muscle training or relaxation
Postural and breathing re-education
Biofeedback or real-time ultrasound
Core strengthening and movement retraining
Education on toileting habits and daily ergonomics

Follow-Up Care
Ongoing support is provided to help you integrate changes into daily life, manage flare-ups, and progress toward your physical goals.

When Should You Seek Help?

Leak urine when sneezing, coughing, or exercising
Feel pressure, heaviness, or bulging in the pelvic area
Experience pain with sitting, movement, or intercourse
Are preparing for or recovering from childbirth or pelvic surgery
Feel disconnected from your core or unstable during activity
Have unexplained pelvic, hip, or lower abdominal pain

Our Treatments

These are just some of the many conditions we treat. If you are experiencing any discomfort, pain, or have a condition not listed here, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are committed to guiding you on your path to recovery.

