Services

Pelvic Floor

What is it?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy's goal is to assess and treat pelvic floor injuries and complaints. The pelvic floor is a muscle group located inside the pelvis that is responsible for bowel and bladder function, sexual function, pelvic organ support, and plays an integral part of the core muscle function. Injury or lack of strength or length in the pelvic floor can result in problems with the above functions, and can also contribute to low back, hip, groin, and sacroiliac joint pain.

What to expect at your first appointment

At your first appointment, your physiotherapist will take a detailed history of your story and symptoms. This involves talking about present symptoms, past medical history, past injury history that may contribute to how the pelvic floor muscles are functioning now, as well as discussing what goals are important to you.


Because the pelvic floor muscles are located internally, a digital vaginal and sometimes rectal exam is performed to get the best picture of how the muscles are functioning. The exam involves a strength test where the patient contracts the pelvic floor muscles and the physiotherapist can give feedback on whether they are contracting and relaxing appropriately. The pelvic organs (the bladder, rectum and cervix) are also assessed to make sure the pelvic floor muscles are providing adequate support to these organs. Palpation of the pelvic floor muscles internally is used to assess areas of pain and muscle length. The above assessment is only performed as long as consent is given.

What if you don’t feel comfortable doing an internal assessment?
Not everyone feels comfortable with an internal assessment. Alternatively, the physiotherapist can go over verbal cues and you as the patient will kinesthetically feel what is happening at the pelvic floor muscles. While this does not offer the best assessment, it can be a starting point for some individuals to develop awareness of their pelvic floor muscles.

If time permits in the first appointment, external muscles are also assessed around the pelvis and the ribcage to see how the pelvic floor muscle function is participating with other areas of the body. Based on the findings of the assessment, we develop a plan and prescribe exercises on how to best address your symptoms and goals.

What are the common conditions treated? Urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, endometriosis, pre- and post-partum rehabilitation, low back pain, hip and groin pain, sacroiliac joint pain, constipation, interstitial cystitis, connective tissue disorders involving the vulva such as lichen sclerosus.

Pelvic Floor FAQs

  • q: Do you have to do an internal assessment?
    a:

    No. However, without an internal assessment, we need to make certain assumptions on the function of your pelvic floor based on your self-report. While this can be ok for some people, an internal assessment gives us valuable information to make an individualized plan for you.

  • q: How does someone injure their pelvic floor?
    a:

    Some common causes of injury to the pelvic floor are pregnancy, difficult deliveries often associated with forceps and/or vacuum, excessive chronic straining, chronic coughing, post-operative, and history of low back strains.

  • q: What is pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?
    a:

    POP is where the ligaments and pelvic floor muscles that help suspend the pelvic organ in the pelvis are weakened and/or injured. This results in one or more pelvic organs to sit lower in the pelvis and may cause symptoms such as heaviness and discomfort.

  • q: How can pelvic floor physiotherapy help with pelvic pain and endometriosis?
    a:

    Where there is pain, there is often muscle guarding and tightness. The role of a pelvic floor physiotherapist is to help address increased muscle tension in the pelvic floor that can help aid in pain management.

  • q: I do kegels all the time, but why do I still have pelvic floor dysfunction?
    a:

    While kegels can be an important part of someone’s exercise rehab program, it can also be detrimental for someone if they are not necessary. This is where an internal assessment is important to know whether kegels is what the individual needs. For example, strength might be there, but coordination of when to contract is the problem, or knowing how to lengthen the muscles is needed. Furthermore, sometimes kegels are done incorrectly and therefore symptoms don’t improve.

Pricing

For Pelvic Floor physiotherapy treatments.

*Initial Assessment

60 mins
$185

Subsequent

Private Rate
45 mins
$150

Subsequent

Private Rate
30 mins
$105

Full Time Student

45 mins
$130

MSP

Supplementary Benefits
30 mins
$65

*for first time clients, or clients who have not been seen in more than 3 months

We have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Any appointments cancelled within 24 hours or less will be charged the full amount of the appointment.

We may be able to direct bill some extended health plans if related to an existing illness or injury. Please check out the FAQ’s under about for a list of participating insurance companies.

For ICBC claims, you are only covered for this service if you have made an injury claim and you are still within 12 weeks from your date of accident. If your appointment happens outside of coverage you will be charged the full amount of the appointment.

Book Your Appointment