What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

A closer look

Small shifts can change how you feel.

Pelvic floor issues affect up to 1 in 3 women and men too. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized treatment for the pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, nerves, and connective tissue which stretch across the pelvis. The pelvic floor has multiple functions including supporting the pelvic organs, assisting with bowel and bladder control, and supporting sexual function. It is also a core muscle that assists in keeping us upright and plays a role in our balance.

The pelvic floor is centrally located in our body, therefore everything affects it: how you move, how you sit, your sleep, and your stress levels. Small habits you do every day, like clenching your jaw or the way you walk, could be negatively impacting your pelvic floor. Due to its proximity to the organs, constipation, menstrual health, and other digestive issues can play a role too.

As pelvic floor therapists, we are trained in treating the muscles of the pelvic floor to optimize their function and treat any dysfunction that may exist. However, we cannot forget that the pelvic floor is connected to a whole person, and we have to assess the whole body to really get to the root of the cause. At Poppy Physical Therapy, we do one-on-one sessions for a full hour in order to find the “why.” We go beyond addressing just your symptoms and want to find why your symptoms started for real, lasting relief.