Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a type of physiotherapy that addresses bladder and bowel concerns, sexual function, and pain in the pelvis. Pelvic floor physiotherapists are orthopaedic physiotherapists who have specialized training in assessing and treating conditions resulting in the dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. Physiotherapists working in this field have additional post-graduate training including internal pelvic assessment and treatment techniques when indicated. Internal pelvic assessments and treatment are performed only with ongoing informed consent. Please note alternative methods of assessment are available such as Real Time Ultrasound Imaging.

Common Conditions.

  • Pelvic Pain

    Pelvic pain is a condition that can have many causes.

    Some causes of chronic pelvic pain include: endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, fibroids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), joint/muscle dysfunction, levator ani syndrome, sciatica, pudendal neuralgia, coccydynia, tailbone pain, SIJ dysfunction, symphysis pubis dysfunction and inflammatory disorders.

  • Incontinence

    Incontinence can look like:

    Leaking urine or stool when coughing, sneezing, jumping or running.

    Having a hard time holding in gas/wind, or difficulty determining if you have gas or stool in the rectum.

    Changing your daily routine or habits in order to accommodate for your bowel and bladder needs.

  • Prolapse

    Common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:

    A feeling of heaviness in the vaginal or pelvic area. Feeling/seeing tissue hanging in the vaginal canal.

    Sensation of incomplete emptying of the bowel or bladder like needing to ‘help’ stool or urine come out, and/or voiding the bowel or bladder then needing to go again shortly after.

    Discomfort with certain positions in intercourse.

  • Abdominal Separation

    Abdominal separation can happen to people of all genders and can result from pregnancy or non-optimal abdominal muscle function. People may notice when lifting the legs or head, doming or ridging down the midline of the stomach, increased bloating or abdominal distension or back/pelvic pain.

  • Urinary or Bowel Urgency

    The bladder and bowel send signals to the brain telling us when to use the washroom. Sometimes these signals are excessive due to previous accidents or trauma. Needing to rush to the toilet with or without leaking urine or stool on the way are symptoms of urgency. Urgency often perpetuates more urgency and is something pelvic floor physiotherapy can help change.

  • Sexual Dysfunction/Pain

    Pain with intimacy is not normal but is more common than you might think. Dyspareunia, Vulvodynia, Vestibulodynia, and Vaginismus are common conditions associated with pain in the genital area. There can be many causes for this type of pelvic pain and pelvic physiotherapists can help you understand why this might be happening and how to change your pain.