Is Pelvic Floor Therapy Worth it?

Many pelvic floor PTs don’t work with insurance so you may find yourself wondering if pelvic floor therapy is worth it. 

I’m a bit biased (since I’m a pelvic PT) but I’ve seen the results and know that a good pelvic PT can change your life. 

Pelvic floor therapists are trained

Pelvic floor therapists can be physical therapists or occupational therapists but the term “pelvic floor therapist” is not regulated so legally anyone can call themselves by this name. It’s important to find someone with proper training to help you. 

A qualified PT/OT has a license to practice Physical/Occupational Therapy and has training in pelvic health. That could be through classes, certifications or mentorship.

Pelvic Floor Therapists Perform Internal Assessments

It’s not required and not always necessary but a pelvic floor therapist should have the training to perform an internal vaginal and rectal exam in order to fully assess the pelvic floor muscles, nerves, organs and their connections to the surrounding pelvis.

Without this training it would be like a surgeon looking at your knee while your awake, maybe watching you walk and then doing a surgery blindfolded to repair something in your knee. They need to be able to see the injured tissues to know how much to repair and what type of surgery is the best.  As a pelvic PT I need to be able to assess the pelvic floor muscles and the other tissues involved in order to make the best treatment plan possible. 

Pelvic Floor Therapy Is Not Just Kegels

We hear this alot… “I can just get pelvic floor exercises from my doctor/my doula/the internet”. You can and that’s totally fine but they won’t be specific for you and they may not be helpful at all or even harmful.

Working with a PT lets you focus on the right exercises to get results. We’ll be able to tell what muscles are weak, tight or short and how to address those muscles instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. If you were planning to run a 5k for the first time ever, would you do squats, heel raises, swimming, running and biking at random distances every day as your training plan or would you find one of those couch to 5k training plans and follow it?  You’d probably do the 2nd option because you know it’s more likely to yield results and that’s the same as working with a good PT.

We also look at the whole body in relation to the pelvic floor. If you foot pronates excessively or your hip is tight or even if you clench your teeth that is going to impact how the pelvic floor works and will need to be part of the plan to resolve your symptoms and keep them away. 

Looking for a pelvic PT?  Contact us today