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A Doctor of Physical Therapy has gone through 7 years of schooling and passed the national board examination. PT school prepares you for a little bit of everything, and after school you will take continuing education classes to learn about whatever you are interested in treating.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists have gone through extensive extra training in order to assess and treat the pelvic floor. There is coursework through the APTA and Herman and Wallace, among many other excellent sources.
I'm Dr. Caitlyn, the pelvic health specialist here at MTS, and I've completed hundreds of hours focused on pelvic floor assessment and treatment, specific coursework in pregnancy and postpartum exercise, and courses to integrate my advanced manual skills with pelvic floor treatment.
At every PT session we will:
Assess your symptoms and goals: Through discussion and physical examination, we will be able to understand your unique needs.
Craft a personalized treatment plan: This might include targeted exercises to strengthen or relax your muscles, manual therapy techniques, biofeedback, and lots of education on your particular issue.
Guide you through your journey: I will be your partner in understanding your pelvic floor and achieving your goals.
What is different for a pelvic floor focused physical therapy session? I have the skills to look directly at the pelvic floor muscles. Depending on your situation, a direct pelvic floor assessment could be very helpful. An internal examination is only necessary if deemed clinically relevant and with your full consent. It involves a digital examination in the vagina or rectum (depending on your anatomy and concerns) to assess muscle strength, coordination, and tone. The physical therapist will use gloves and lubrication to ensure comfort. All sessions at Manual Therapy Specialists are done in a private room, one-on-one with the treating therapist.
You can decline any part of the assessment you are not comfortable with, and your therapist will never recommend something they don't believe would be helpful. While an internal assessment is the gold standard to assess the pelvic floor, there are many other things that impact pelvic floor function that can be looked at if you are uncomfortable with internal work. The assessment results will be used to develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs.
It's important to be honest and open about your symptoms, even if they feel embarrassing. Remember - I have seen hundreds of people like you, and the more that I know, the better I can help!
If you are ready and confident to make a change for the better, give Manual Therapy Specialists a call today to set up an appointment!
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.