Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized branch of orthopaedic physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of conditions and dysfunctions of the pelvic floor.

The pelvic floor consists of muscles, connective tissue, joints, nerves and ligaments. Their architectural design creates a bowl or basin at the bottom of the pelvis and function to support the organs of the abdomen, stabilize the pelvis and hip joint and maintain urinary continence and sexual function.

Pelvic floor dysfunctions occur when these muscles weaken, become lax or tighten, preventing the muscles from completing their normal functions. Dysfunctions of the pelvic floor could lead to symptoms such as pain in your lower back, hips or pelvis, pelvic pressure or heaviness, constipation, incontinence and pain with intercourse

Pelvic health physiotherapy addresses these dysfunctions and symptoms by retraining the structures of the pelvic floor in order to improve their function and strength.

Kinesiology is the study of the dynamics of human movement, and its components (anatomical, physiological, neurological, biochemical, biomechanical, neuromotor, psychological) in interaction with the environment.. The term comes from the Greek word “kinesis” which means “to move”. The practice of Kinesiology is the assessment, treatment, and prevention of movement disorders, to improve the function in the areas of sport, recreation, work, exercise, and activities of daily living.

Kinesiologists are also known as movement specialists who can occupy various fields within the rehabilitation world. Here at the WombCare Clinic, Kinesiologists are trained in the function and role of the core muscles (which includes the pelvic floor), pelvic floor dysfunctions and therapeutic exercises to help women move through all stages of reproductive health safely. Additionally in the WombCare Clinic, the modalities used by Kinesiologists are therapeutic exercise, education on chronic pain management, and nutritional counselling.

You do not need a referral for pelvic floor physiotherapy. Some select insurance companies require a referral note from a family MD before a Physiotherapy claim can be honored. Please contact your insurance company to gain a comprehensive understanding of your full benefits and coverage package.

With pelvic floor therapy we will be assessing the integrity of your pelvic floor muscles in relation to your core and symptoms. Your certified pelvic floor physiotherapist will utilize internal and external “hands-on” or manual techniques to evaluate the integrity of the pelvic floor muscles in addition to associated joints, connective tissue, ligaments and muscles within your low back and Sacroiliac joint.

The pelvic floor examination, with your consent, will have a gold standard internal vaginal and or anal examination.

 Prior to an initial assessment, you will be sent forms and questionnaires to complete. Please fill these forms out to the best of your abilities and bring them with you. These forms will identify and illuminate specific symptoms in addition to contributing factors to your condition. Based on the information collected a thorough, detailed subjective and objective assessment will occur.

Based on your symptoms, condition and goals a tailored, individualized treatment plan will be created to help manage pain and discomfort within your pelvic region.

Time Frame: An initial assessment is 60-75 minutes in length

Kegels are not for everyone! Sometimes they may even aggravate your symptoms and even when they are indicated are often not performed correctly.

Pelvic floor Dysfunction can be caused by

• Hypertonicity: Pelvic floor muscles have too much tension or a high tone. These tight pelvic floor muscles could lead to symptoms of pelvic pain, painful intercourse, urgency of the bowel and bladder and constipation.
• Hypotonicity: Pelvic Floor muscles have low-tone contributing to symptoms of stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Please note, in most cases you can have a combination of muscles that are too tense and too relaxed.

A kegel is a contraction (increasing the tone) of your pelvic floor muscles.

Performing a kegel if not indicated can make your symptoms worse i.e. pelvic floor muscles that are high or a combination of tones. An internal examination by a Pelvic Floor Therapist will determine whether kegels are indicated and will retrain your pelvic floor muscles to function optimally.

Yes, an individualized, tailored home exercises program will be created for each patient and should be followed to gain maximal results.  The exercise program will be based on your symptoms, condition and goals and aims to improve coordination and function of the pelvic floor and surrounding musculature.

Yes, with your consent an internal examination is required for a thorough pelvic floor assessment. Internal examination is an integral aspect of pelvic floor assessment and treatment and it is considered the gold standard in pelvic health physiotherapy

Research has shown that physiotherapist with specialized training in pelvic rehabilitation, including internal palpation, are highly successful in treating pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor physiotherapy should be the first line of defense – before surgical or any other medical interventions- for pelvic pain, incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized training under Physiotherapy. If you have Physiotherapy coverage on your insurance, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is covered. Please contact your insurance company to gain a comprehensive understanding of your full benefits and coverage package.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is not covered under OHIP at Wombcare Clinic.