What to Expect on Your First Day of Pelvic Physical Therapy
I hear from a lot of friends and patients that they have no clue what Pelvic PT entails. It's a big barrier to people getting the help they need when they are scared to even try it. Here's an idea of what to expect when you walk into my clinic.
First, We Talk
We sit down and have a chat about your symptoms, your medical history, and how your concerns are affecting your everyday life. We talk about your goals, your worries, your life, your schedule, your body... all the things.
Depending on what's going on I'll ask you about:
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Urinary frequency, urgency, or leakage
- Constipation or bowel symptoms
- Pain with intimacy
- Pregnancy or postpartum recovery
- Menstrual or pelvic symptoms
- Hip, back, or tailbone pain
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness
- Previous surgeries, injuries, or treatments
Some of these questions can feel personal. That’s completely normal.
You don’t have to feel embarrassed. Pelvic health is a physical-health issue, and these questions help your therapist understand the bigger picture. It's always up to you about how much you want to tell me, especially on day one!
The Assessment
After talking through your concerns, I will do a PT exam.
This can include looking at your posture, breathing, movement, hips, abdomen, back, or other areas that may be contributing to your symptoms. This all starts with external things! An internal exam is not automatically required. If your therapist makes you feel like you HAVE to have this done, find a new therapist. Your therapist should explain why they recommend it, what it involves, and what you can expect before doing anything.
You have the right to ask questions, pause, or say no.
Your comfort and consent matter throughout the appointment. I ask permission MULTIPLE times.
What About the Pelvic Floor Exam?
If an internal examination is appropriate for you and you agree to it, we talk through it beforehand. The goals of an internal exam are to assess things like muscle coordination, tension, strength, relaxation, tenderness, or how the pelvic floor muscles respond to movement and pressure.
And here's something important:
Pelvic PT isn't just about doing more Kegels.
For some people, the pelvic floor muscles may actually be too tense or have difficulty relaxing. In those cases, learning how to release and coordinate the muscles may be more important than strengthening them.
Treatment
My goal is always to have to you leave feeling better than when you walked in. My initial sessions are 1.5 hours so we have all the time to get to know each other, figure out what's going on, and give me time to start your treatment!
Treatment could include:
- Manual therapy like soft tissue mobilization
- Cupping
- Graston
- Dry Needling
- Visceral mobilization
- Education on anatomy and function
- Movement and exercise
You’ll Leave With a Plan
By the end of your first appointment, I will know what direction to move toward.
You might be given a few simple things to work on at home, such as:
- Breathing exercises
- Relaxation techniques
- Mobility exercises
- Posture or movement changes
- Bladder or bowel habits to track
- Pelvic floor coordination exercises
- Gentle strengthening
I see a lot of busy moms in my practice so I'm not one to send my patients home with a million exercises. Instead I try and carefully choose a few that would be the MOST beneficial for the time you have in your life. I work your routine into our plan, discuss how to make your gym time more efficient, and talk about what to be working on in your day to day.
Your first visit is often about establishing a baseline and creating a treatment plan that makes sense for your body and your goals.
What Should You Wear?
Wear something comfortable that allows you to move easily.
You generally don't need to dress differently just because you're going to pelvic PT. If a pelvic exam is something we do I'll provide you with a sheet (NOT a piece of paper) to cover up with!
A Few Things You Can Do Before Your Appointment
It can help to think about what you want to get out of pelvic PT.
Before you go, consider:
What symptoms are bothering me the most?
When did they start?
What makes them better or worse?
What activities am I avoiding because of them?
What would I love to be able to do without worrying about my symptoms?
Writing down a few notes can make the conversation easier—especially if you're nervous or tend to forget things when you're in an appointment.
Most Importantly: You’re in Control
You can ask questions.
You can request an explanation.
You can tell me if something hurts.
You can ask to stop.
And you can say no to an examination or technique.
A good pelvic physical therapist will work with you, not just on you.
So if you're walking into your first appointment feeling nervous, take a breath. You don't need to know anything about pelvic PT beforehand.
Your job is simply to show up, share what you're experiencing, and start the conversation. You won't be sorry!!
Check out what all the buzz is about!
https://www.fayettevillepelvichealth.com/appointments/
