Pelvic floor therapy

Pelvic health specialists provide comprehensive and accessible care for pelvic, lumbar, and abdominal health needs, inclusive of all genders. By utilizing a whole-body, evidence-based approach, we continuously strive to meet our patients’ individual needs through powerful treatments for a wide array of symptoms.

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What is pelvic floor therapy?

The pelvic floor is the group of muscles and connective tissue that support your bowel, bladder, and reproductive organs. When these muscles experience dysfunction, patients can experience a variety of symptoms from frequent urination to painful intercourse. Oftentimes, if there is dysfunction within the pelvis, lumbar spine, or abdomen, pelvic floor therapy can be beneficial. Pelvic floor therapy can be administered by both physical and occupational therapists and works to relieve the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction through therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, education, breath work, and much more.

Treatment plans are tailored to best address each patient’s unique needs. Though it may sound like pelvic floor muscles would be difficult to recondition, pelvic floor therapists have the skills to help patients make improvements, improve blood circulation, and reduce pain. Spear’s pelvic health specialists provide comprehensive and accessible care for pelvic, lumbar, and abdominal health needs, inclusive of all genders.

Who is pelvic floor therapy recommended for?

Pelvic floor therapy is a powerful treatment that is beneficial to people experiencing a wide array of symptoms. Factors causing pelvic floor dysfunction vary from patient to patient.

Some medical problems that can be treated with pelvic floor physical therapy can include, but are not limited to:

Prenatal discomfort

Low back/SI pain

Postpartum recovery

Post Cesarean Section

Surgical Rehabilitation of the Abdomen

Diastasis Recti Rehabilitation

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Prehab/Rehabilitation for a Prostatectomy

Chronic Prostatitis Pain

Urinary/Fecal Incontinence

Urgency and Frequency of Bowel/Bladder

Pelvic Pain

Painful Sex

Sexual Dysfunction

Coccyx/tailbone pain

Genital pain

Post-Gender Affirming Care Rehabilitation

Constipation and Rectal Pain

People who experience these medical issues may benefit greatly from pelvic floor therapy. Medical professionals often recommend pelvic floor therapy before turning to invasive surgical procedures.

Therapists offering Pelvic floor therapy

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Ready to get moving? Our expert team will guide you through your entire experience, from setting up your first appointment and verifying your insurance to building at-home treatment plans.

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Frequently asked questions about Pelvic floor therapy

What are the benefits of treating pelvic floor dysfunction?

There are a wide array of profound benefits to seeking therapy or treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. From increased bowel and bladder control to improved sexual functioning, pelvic floor therapy can truly be life-changing for patients. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help strengthen, elongate, or relax pelvic floor muscles. Therapists manipulate the muscles so that they become stronger. Equally important is the coordination of pelvic floor muscles: when these muscles are conditioned to work together more effectively, many of the issues associated with pelvic floor dysfunction begin to dissipate, including bladder control issues, constipation, incontinence, and much more. Through pelvic floor therapy, patients can experience a dramatic reduction in pain, and in some cases, pain is alleviated altogether. Furthermore, physical therapy and occupational therapy gives patients the necessary tools to prevent pain from returning in the future.

What are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Symptoms that impact both men and women suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction include:

Using the bathroom with increased frequency and/or struggling to go
Painful and/or frequent urination
Incontinence (either urine or stool)
Constipation, straining to pass bowel movements, or pelvic pain after bowel movements
Lower back pain with no apparent cause
Ongoing genital, rectal, or pelvic floor pain
Stress urinary incontinence resulting from laughing, sneezing, or coughing

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction that impact men and people with male sex organs exclusively include:

Groin pain
Ejaculation issues
Erectile dysfunction
Prostatitis

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction that impact women and people with female sex organs include:

Pain during sexual intercourse
Compromised reproductive health

A person is unlikely to experience all of the symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction; in fact, experiencing only one or two symptoms merits a call to the doctor and/or a visit to the therapist.

How does pelvic floor therapy treatment work at Spear?

A highly qualified pelvic therapist will perform a thorough evaluation including medical history, discussion of your current condition, and assessment of your range of motion, posture, and strength. Your therapist will then design a comprehensive, individualized treatment program based on the findings of the evaluation and your personal goals. All treatment will be administered in a safe, supportive environment. At Spear, we use an integrative care approach to pelvic floor therapy treatment. Program components may include:

Pain management
Pelvic floor muscle re-education
Postural stabilization
Manual therapy techniques
Personalized therapeutic exercise
Strength training
Patient education
Behavioral modification
Bladder retraining
Biofeedback
Electrical stimulation
Lymphedema massage
Yoga & Pilates
Nutrition & diet modification
Meditation

What does pelvic floor therapy cost at Spear?

All Spear pelvic floor therapy services are billed through insurance.

Does insurance cover the costs of pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is regarded in the medical community as a serious issue that requires treatment. Therefore, pelvic floor physical therapy, among other types of treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction, is typically covered by public and private insurance. At Spear, what sets us apart is our commitment to making our services as accessible as possible for patients in the diverse communities that we serve. We participate in-network with all major insurance companies in NYC including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UHC & Medicare. Patients should review their insurance coverage before beginning treatment. Some insurers cap the amount of physical therapy coverage per year per patient, and others limit the number of sessions that will be covered.

Is pelvic floor therapy painful?

It is possible to feel discomfort during pelvic floor therapy, however, the patient is in complete control during the session and is encouraged to communicate with their therapist if there is pain, so that treatment can be adjusted. Pelvic floor physical therapy begins with an exam and assessment, during which time the physical or occupational therapist will work to understand the cause of symptoms.

How do I know that I need pelvic floor physical therapy?

Patients who suspect they may be experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction should see their doctor as soon as possible. Some of the most common symptoms that indicate pelvic floor dysfunction include pain throughout the pelvis, abdomen or lumbar spine, difficulty fully emptying bladder, frequent urination, and incontinence.

What techniques, tools and exercises are used during the pelvic floor therapy treatment?

A wide array of techniques, tools, and exercises are used throughout pelvic floor therapy treatment, and different methods are used to treat different symptoms in different patients. At Spear, treatment program components include manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, education, and breath work as well as a number of other methods.

Is pelvic floor physical therapy suitable for pregnant women?

Pelvic floor physical therapy can be incredibly helpful for people who are pregnant. Hormones that occur during pregnancy contribute to a loosening of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments so that the baby can exit through the birth canal. Throughout pregnancy, the uterus continually expands, which adds more pressure on the pelvic floor. The combination of these two natural processes in the body can lead to issues with the pelvic floor. Our techniques can help prepare people for c-sections as well as natural births. Therapy can also assist in avoiding future symptoms, providing labor technique education, and improving overall birthing and postpartum experience.

How long should my treatment for the pelvic floor continue?

The muscles that make up the pelvic floor are just like any other muscles in the body in that each time strengthening exercises are performed, they will become stronger. In the beginning, the body may tire easily or feel sore, and over the counter pain medication may be necessary. Many patients can be treated effectively with one physical therapy session per week for a total of three to six months, but it varies from person to person. Ultimately, the length of treatment depends on the extent of each patient’s pelvic floor dysfunction as well as their treatment goals.

Can I do pelvic floor therapy on my own?

When starting pelvic floor physical therapy, a therapist will first perform an assessment to determine which exercises and techniques are best suited to addressing a patient’s symptoms. The pelvic floor therapist will then guide the patient through those exercises, as well as dilator and pelvic wand use, which can often be done at home as well as during therapy sessions. Some strategies, like biofeedback and electrical stimulation, may require the assistance or supervision of a physical or occupational therapist.

Is pelvic floor physical therapy worth it?

With any new medical treatment comes a certain degree of trepidation or caution, and it is normal to question whether or not therapy is worthwhile. Fortunately, years of research and medical practice show that the benefits of treating the pelvic floor have the potential to be transformative. Patients are likely to experience relief from pain, better continence, and urge control.

What should I expect from pelvic floor therapy?

Each patient will have a different experience with pelvic floor physical therapy, as different symptoms require different approaches and techniques. The aim of pelvic floor physical therapy is to help patients strengthen and stabilize or develop relaxation techniques for core muscles that include the pelvic floor, diaphragm, abdomen and back. Common methods of pelvic floor physical therapy include manual therapy, pelvic floor strengthening exercises, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, among others.

Physical therapy

Occupational therapy

25 years of Spear

Pelvic floor therapy

What is pelvic floor therapy?

Who is pelvic floor therapy recommended for?

Therapists offering Pelvic floor therapy

Alexandra Petersen

Ella Hu

Jessica Bigness

Kelsey Contreras

Nada Gamea

Hagi Garcia

Emily Prader

McKenna Boyd

Avaniben Patel

Anushka Chhari

Rosie Luzuriaga

Evelyn Russo

June Chen

Gabby Majcher

Jenna Evans

Emily Loftus

Sarah Low

Amanda Fleres

Purvi Pandya

ShilPI Kapoor

Simran Jaisinghani

Maitrei Shah

Corin Blazing

Jennie Brian

Jamie Lief

Johanna Sumaria

Ranjitha Mohan

Nadia Filipic

Kirstan Law

Meredith Nothel

Suvarna Jangada

Melanie Gutierrez, PTA

Delaney Wallace

William Klein, PT, DPT

Laura Moran, PT, DPT

Tulsi Amin, PT, DPT

Kruti Shah

Ayelen Lee

Georgina Genovese

Sarah Shoemaker

Lauren Carleton

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Frequently asked questions about Pelvic floor therapy