Pelvic health physiotherapy is offered at The Clinic at Christie and The Clinic at Ossington in Toronto
WHAT IS PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Pelvic health or Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that focuses on conditions that affect the pelvic floor muscles, pelvic organs, the low back, hips and more. Pelvic floor physiotherapists can treat womxn, men, transgender, intersex, non-binary and in some cases children. We are physiotherapists that have taken additional training to be certified to perform internal examinations of the pelvic floor to be able to treat pelvic conditions.
WHERE IS MY PELVIC FLOOR?
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sit within your pelvis and act like a hammock to support organs such as your bladder, rectum, uterus and prostate. These muscles stretch from your pubic bone straight back to your tailbone. These muscles help with the function of your bladder and bowels, with sexual health, core stability and lymphatic drainage.
SOME CONDITIONS THAT PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST TREAT:
- Stress Incontinence
- Urge Incontinence
- Mixed Incontinence
- Fecal Incontinence
- Overactive Bladder
- Prenatal Rehabilitation
- Post-Partum Rehabilitation
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Bladder Pain Syndrome
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Hesitation/Dyssynergia
- Mastitis
- Encopresis
- Constipation
- Dyspareunia
- Pre- or Post Prostatectomy
- Pre- or Post Surgical Consultations
- Vulvodynia
- Vaginismus
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Levator-ani Syndrome
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Coccydynia
- Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome ( CPPS)
SIGNS THAT YOUR PELVIC FLOOR MAY NEED HELP
- Unwanted loss of urine that is associated with an activity or an urgent need to go to the washroom
- Unwanted loss of feces/stool
- Feeling of pelvic pressure and/or heaviness
- Needing to go to the bathroom more than 5-8 times a day
- Waking up at night to go to the washroom that disturbs your sleep
- Bowel movements that are difficult to pass or are less frequent
- Pain during sexual activity
- Hip, low back, sacroiliac joint and/or pelvic girdle pain
- Pelvic pain
- scrotal/penile pain
- Pregnancy
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I expect during a pelvic floor visit?
On your first visit, your pelvic physiotherapist will go through a comprehensive examination that includes a thorough history and orthopedic and neurological examination to diagnose your condition or complaint. Sometimes an internal examination is recommended to look specifically at the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic organs. If that doesn’t sound like it’s for you, no worries, you can still get many great benefits from seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist!
Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist?
No, you do not require a doctor’s referral to book an appointment with one of our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists. However, some extended insurance plans may require one to provide reimbursements.
How many appointments do I need?
The number of appointments will depend on the condition.
Will the appointment be covered under my insurance plan?
Pelvic floor Physiotherapy is covered under most extended insurance plans as it falls under the umbrella of Physiotherapy. Contact us for more details.