5 Myths About Pelvic PT
by Katie Beaber, PT, DPT, COMT
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is designed to address symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. These can include issues with bowel or bladder control, pain with sex, pelvic pain and more. These symptoms can be scary, embarrassing, and uncomfortable which can make seeking much needed care feel daunting. BUT we want everyone to feel comfortable receiving the care they need! Here are the most common misconceptions we hear about Pelvic PT.
Myth: We always perform an internal vaginal assessment.
While this is commonly our go to exam for assessing pelvic floor muscle function, it is not the only thing we do. First of all, we need to make sure you are okay with this, and we will not do one if you are not comfortable with it. You always have a say in your healthcare treatment!
We have EMG biofeedback and real time ultrasound imaging, which are other tools for us to assess your pelvic floor. We also look at your body as a whole, assessing movement patterns and strength of your hips and core. These factors can also influence pelvic floor function and give us an idea of how to plan your treatment.
2. Myth: Pelvic floor therapy is painful. It does not have to be! While there may be some discomfort associated with stretching or muscle strengthening, therapy should never be too painful for you to handle. Any discomfort should be discussed with your therapist, and we can adjust the intensity of your treatment.
3. Myth: My symptoms aren’t bad enough for physical therapy. If your symptoms are bothering you, and you would like to do something about them, then you are a perfect candidate for physical therapy! There is no such thing as “bad enough”. Pelvic floor symptoms can affect our lives in big or small ways. As long as you have the willingness to commit to treatment and doing the homework, we can help with whatever is bothering you.
4. Myth: Pelvic floor therapy is only for people who have had children.
Everyone has a pelvic floor! We see patients who have gone through pregnancy and postpartum recovery, patients who have never been pregnant, and patients at different ages and phases of their life. Just because you haven’t birthed any babies does not make you immune to pelvic floor dysfunction!
5. Myth: I do my Kegels, so my pelvic floor is fine. If you have tried doing Kegels and your pelvic floor symptoms are still present, odds are that your pelvic floor is not in great shape. Strengthening the pelvic floor with Kegels is not the only answer to your problems. There may be issues with the relaxation or coordination of your muscles, which requires an expert assessment to really know what is going on.
Hopefully this has eased any hesitancy you may have about starting pelvic floor physical therapy. If you are thinking about seeking care, your doctor referred you, or you just want to know more - feel free to give us a call! Our patient care coordinators are happy to talk to you about what an appointment might look like and help you get set up for your first one.
