At your first visit, you can expect a thorough health history. Each concern you have will be addressed. A physical exam will be conducted including a postural and movement exam as well as a gentle abdominal examination. If you are comfortable, an internal evaluation will be completed.

Following the assessment, the findings of the exam will be discussed. You will be provided with a home exercise program and a treatment plan will be created.

Each initial visit is scheduled for 60 minutes as there is a lot of cover. There will be ample time to answer all questions and address all concerns you may have.

A physiotherapy pelvic exam is more detailed (and gentle) than a medical one. It will include an observation of the external anatomy to identify any imbalances, irritation, scarring or connective tissue dysfunction. Sensation and reflexes will be tested to ensure proper neurological function.

A manual internal (vaginal and/or ano-rectal) assessment will identify imbalances, scarring or connective tissue issues, and muscle tension, strength, and coordination. Lastly, internal organs will be manually assessed to determine proper positioning and mobility. Your physiotherapist will guide you through the process instructing you to perform certain movements and will let you know what they are doing at all times. If you are not comfortable with an internal evaluation, we will work around this to design a treatment plan that is right for you.

While doctors complete pelvic exams regularly, they are not the same as the ones carried out by Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists. While some medical doctors may prescribe pelvic floor physiotherapy, they only assess for life threatening issues (e.g. infection, malignancy, etc. ) and identify areas where medicine or surgery may be the best course of action. Alternatively, pelvic floor physiotherapists assess for visible infection/irritation, bony alignment and mobility, muscle tension, strength, and coordination, pelvic organ positioning and mobility, and scar tissue adhesions.

This will allow your therapist to observe how your body is functioning in all aspects which provides the basis of your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Without it we would be missing crucial information which would only give you very limited results.

Yes, you can still receive an internal pelvic assessment or treatment while menstruating. Proper hygienic protocols are used and being on your cycle does not interfere with assessment or treatment.

Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been shown to be very helpful during pregnancy to help limit and remove pelvic girdle, pubic bone, groin, coccyx and low back pain, as well as aiding to open the pelvic floor and prepare it for labour and delivery, limiting the possibility of tearing or the need for an episiotomy.

There are no risks to the mother or baby with an internal pelvic assessment or treatment with a healthy and normal pregnancy. If however you are a high risk pregnancy and have been placed under medical precautions such as abstaining from intercourse, bed rest, etc. then an internal pelvic floor assessment or treatment would not be advisable. However, you would be at no risk of receiving general physiotherapy externally.

As soon as possible is best, but depending on your concerns as well as the type of birth (vaginal vs Caesarian) a few weeks wait after birth may be necessary to allow for healing in areas needing treatment. If a Caesarian was performed, you may want to wait until the incision has healed (approx 4-6 weeks) before having abdominal or scar work done. If you had an episiotomy, again you may want to wait a few weeks to allow for incision healing before having internal pelvic floor work done. But, if pain is significant, it is wiser to be treated immediately as there are numerous things that can be helped without disturbing incision sites to ease pain and return to function.