What Does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Entail? Understanding the Journey

Are you considering pelvic floor physical therapy but unsure what to expect? You might be wondering about the number of appointments you’ll need or if you require a referral. Here, we’ll break down the steps involved in pelvic floor physical therapy, what it entails, and answer common questions to help you feel confident in starting your journey toward better pelvic health.

Step 1: The Discovery Call

The first step is setting up a free discovery call. This initial conversation is all about YOU. We want to hear your story - why you’re seeking care, your specific goals, the challenges you face, and what you hope to achieve by working together. This is a critical step to ensure that we’re a good fit and that we can provide the support you need. If everything aligns, we’ll help you get scheduled for your in-person evaluation.

Step 2: The In-Person Evaluation

Once we’re on the same page, the next step is the in-person evaluation (unless you are enrolling in the Early Postpartum Program). This hour-long visit is where we dive deep into your symptoms, provide education along the way, and set clear goals. We look at how you move, your range of motion, strength/weaknesses, and might include a pelvic floor exam (if you are wondering, see my other blog posts on what this entails). Together, we develop a personalized plan of care, determining frequency and duration of your visits based on your unique needs. You’ll also be added to our app, which plays a key role in your ongoing treatment and progress tracking.

Step 3: Receiving Your Custom Program

After your evaluation, we’ll set up follow up visits and you will receive a custom program tailored to your specific situation. This combination of in-person and app programming is designed to meet you where you are in your journey and provide the support you need to get where you want to go. We’ll work closely together, adjusting the program as necessary to ensure it continues to meet your evolving needs.

Do I Need a Referral?

One of the most common questions is whether a referral is needed. Iowa is a direct access state. This means that, with a few exceptions (such as Medicaid/Medicare patients), you do not need a physician’s referral to start pelvic floor physical therapy. It is helpful to know your insurance benefits/plan, as some companies do require a referral for pre-authorization.

How Long Does it Take?

The duration of your therapy is tailored to your specific symptoms and lifestyle. During your initial evaluation, we’ll establish a plan of care that suits your individual needs. On average, most programs involve seeing your therapist for a minimal period of 2-3 months, with a frequency of once a week gradually decreasing over the period of time. Typically you can expect to have around 4-6 visits, with an option of more based on necessity and complexity of symptoms.

What Does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Entail?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy that can include a range of treatments such as:

• Manual Therapy: hands-on techniques to help improve muscle function, reduce pain, and restore normal movement

  • Soft tissue mobilization, joint manipulation, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization including hand tools and cupping

  • I have continued my education to include Functional Dry Needling, Myofascial Mobilization of the Pelvis, Lower Extremity and Bladder System

• Exercises: tailored to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles, depending on your needs as well as strength or mobility of surrounding areas to help support and provide optimal function

• Education: learning about the pelvic floor, understanding your body, and getting advice on lifestyle changes that support your recovery.

  • I want you to feel empowered in your body by being your guide through education and not “be the fixer” but instead learn to trust your own intuition to heal

My aim is to guide you through exercises, offer advice, adjust your program as needed, and progress you towards your goals!

This blog post provides a general overview of what potential clients can expect when starting pelvic floor physical therapy, emphasizing a personalized and supportive approach.