What To Wear to PT and Other Questions for Your First Pelvic Floor PT Visit

What will take place during my first visit?

If your first visit is an evaluation appointment, your therapist will ask you questions about your specific concerns and discuss your treatment goals. Depending on your condition, your therapist may recommend an internal assessment of the pelvic floor. During an internal exam, therapists assess pelvic floor muscle tone and integrity and gauge motor control and function. 

Treatment plans vary, but therapists may use follow-up sessions to perform external trigger point release and connective tissue manipulation that calm the nervous system and increase blood flow to the area. They may also work on internal trigger point release and muscle lengthening. Expect to receive a home program with exercises and activities to address your specific concerns.What should I wear to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Comfortable clothes are encouraged. If you’ll need specific exercise clothes, your therapist will let you know. If an internal exam is required during your visit, you may be asked to disrobe from the waist down. You will discuss any internal exam with your physical therapist in advance and should feel comfortable before proceeding.  

Can I still come to my appointment if I’m on my period?

Physical therapy during menstruation is not contraindicated. As long as you’re comfortable, your session can proceed as scheduled.

What will Pelvic Floor PT do for me?

Our physical therapists are trained in treating and assessing a range of conditions including orthopedic conditions, pregnancy/postpartum related aches and pains and pelvic floor disorders impacting bowel, bladder and sexual function. For more information on what types of conditions pelvic floor physical therapy can help you with, check out our Who We Serve page.

Identifying and helping to manage the underlying musculoskeletal issues associated with these conditions can relieve the pain and discomfort associated with them. 

Additionally, if you have previously received physical therapy for low back, tailbone, hip or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) conditions that have not improved, you may be a candidate for pelvic floor physical therapy. 

If I tried Kegels and they didn’t work, will this session help?

While Kegel exercises can be helpful to some, only a trained Pelvic Floor PT can evaluate your symptoms, correctly diagnose issues, and provide you with a personalized treatment plan that will help you see results.

How long is a typical appointment?

Appointments can range from 45 minutes to an hour or more depending on the nature of the appointment.

When will I start feeling better?

Because every patient is different, it’s difficult to give a single “right” answer. Your physical therapist will work with you to develop a plan to treat you as effectively and efficiently as possible. This plan will include a home program with exercises, activities, and habit changes to address your specific goals.

Can I still have therapy if I’m pregnant?

Absolutely! Therapists frequently treat pregnant women. However, please alert your therapist if you are pregnant or think you might be.

What happens after my first appointment?

You’ll likely be given homework to reinforce what you’ve learned during your physical therapy visit. The homework is designed to help you incorporate changes into your daily habits that will help increase the likelihood of success in treating your underlying conditions. 

Ready for your first appointment? Contact us today to learn more.