What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Have you ever found yourself leaking when you laugh, experiencing pelvic pain, or struggling with recovery after childbirth? These symptoms could be signs that your pelvic floor needs some attention—and that’s where pelvic floor therapy comes in.
I’m Dr. Gerianne Lewis, a pelvic floor physical therapist at Lewis Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, and I’m here to answer a common question: What is pelvic floor therapy? Whether you’ve heard of it before or this is your first time learning about it, I’ll break it down for you.
What Is the Pelvic Floor?
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles located at the base of your pelvis. These muscles act as a supportive sling, holding up vital organs such as your:
Bladder
Uterus (in women)
Rectum
In addition to supporting these organs, your pelvic floor muscles play an essential role in:
Bladder control
Bowel movements
Sexual health
Pregnancy and childbirth
When these muscles aren’t working properly—whether they’re too weak, too tight, or uncoordinated—it can lead to problems like:
Urinary incontinence (leakage when laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercising)
Pelvic pain or pressure
Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
Pain during intimacy
Challenges during or after pregnancy
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy designed to treat and improve the function of your pelvic floor muscles. Unlike generic physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy takes a whole-body approach to help you regain control, strength, and coordination.
Here’s what pelvic floor therapy often includes:
Education
Understand how your pelvic floor works and learn what might be causing your symptoms.
Exercises
Perform targeted movements to strengthen and stretch your pelvic floor muscles, as well as supporting muscles like your core, hips, and legs.
Breathing and Posture Techniques
Discover how proper breathing and alignment can reduce tension and improve muscle coordination.
Hands-On Therapy
Benefit from manual techniques to release tight muscles, improve pelvic mobility, and alleviate discomfort.
Who Can Benefit From Pelvic Floor Therapy?
One of the most common misconceptions about pelvic floor therapy is that it’s only for women. While it’s highly beneficial for pregnant and postpartum women, people of all genders and ages can benefit from this treatment.
You might benefit from pelvic floor therapy if you’re experiencing:
Urinary incontinence (leaking urine during physical activity or sneezing)
Pelvic pain or discomfort
Pain during sexual activity
Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
Pregnancy or postpartum challenges
Recovery after abdominal or pelvic surgery
Why Choose Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just treating symptoms—it’s about improving your quality of life. By addressing the root causes of your issues, pelvic floor therapy can help you:
Regain control over your body
Reduce pain and discomfort
Feel stronger and more confident
Take the First Step to Better Pelvic Health
If you’re dealing with symptoms like urinary leakage, pelvic pain, or postpartum challenges, don’t wait to seek help. At Lewis Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, we help patients take control of these symptoms starting with a Pelvic Health Assessment.
Take the first step toward feeling healthier and more empowered. Click here to schedule your call and start your journey to better pelvic health today!
Dr. Gerianne Lewis, PT, DPT
Lewis Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab
Your partner in pelvic health.
