Pelvic Floor Therapy

What is Pelvic Floor Physical & Occupational Therapy?

The pelvic floor is the group of muscles and connective tissue that support your urinary 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 warranted. 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, 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 physical and occupational therapy recommended for?

Pelvic floor physical and occupational 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:

• Painful Intercourse
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Genital Pain
• Post-Transition Discomfort
• Perimenopausal & Menopausal Concern
• Urinary Incontinence
• Prenatal Discomfort
• Prostatitis
• Coccyx/Tailbone Pain
• Low Back/Sacroiliac
• Joint Pain & Reconditioning
• Osteoporosis
• Diastasis Recti Rehabilitation
• Post-Cesarean Section
• Postpartum Discomfort
• Post-Prostatectomy

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.

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 Spear 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.