Postpartum Care | Prioritize Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

What is pelvic floor physical therapy exactly? Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a guided form of internal bodywork that focuses on strengthening the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor physical therapists are globally excepted as an integral part of postpartum care, except for in, you guessed it the United States.

The way that it really clicked for me to visualize what pelvic floor physiotherapy really was, and why I should see a physical therapist was to think of your favorite net reusable bag, hang it on a hook and then place a bowling ball in it, and remove after 9 months. A sturdy bag may not break but signs of its former inhabitant will be obvious all over the bag. A pelvic floor physical therapist will facilitate you getting your “bag” back in pre bowling ball shape.

Who should see a pelvic floor physical therapist?

The short answer is humans… with bodies. A pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connected tissue that are attached to the bones at the bottom of your pelvis. If you could look down vertically in between your hip bones, you would see the pelvic floor muscles at the bottom (floor) of your pelvis. Your pelvic floor is often referred to as a “hammock” suspending your internal organs and family jewels in place.

If you’ve carried a baby for nine months… you’ve stretched out this hammock. Regardless of how you birthed the baby, the little ball of fun weighed down on your insides for months

If you’ve gained a significant amount of weight and carried it for a few months or longer, you’ve stretched out this hammock. Regardless of your gender, a physical therapist will work with you to strengthen your pelvic floor and realign all your internal bits over time.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Questions Answered

What should every woman who has given birth know about Pelvic floor physiotherapy? Prioritize it. It’s not too late to start. Your pelvic floor supports so many of your organs and healing can help with things as sight-specific as prolapsed organs, incontinence, and pain during sex. To less obvious body maladies like back pain, posture and

Is it possible to start pelvic floor physiotherapy during pregnancy? Totally! it’s recommended to start between your second and third trimester. Starting to go before giving birth has the dual benefit of helping you prepare for not only birthing but get a jump start on your postpartum healing.

How many weeks of pelvic floor physiotherapy do most women need postpartum?

Should you start postpartum physical therapy while pregnant? TOTALLY, it’s recommended you start between the second and third trimester. Having a physical therapist educate you on how to engage your pelvic floor can help not only with your postpartum healing journey but with giving birth.

Is it too late to start pelvic floor physiotherapy? Nope. Its never too late to build a muscle

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy covered by insurance? YES.

What should you tell your doctor in order to get a referral? If you need a referral for your insurance some things that would trigger pelvic floor physiotherapy are: diastasis recti, internal pressure, stress incontinence, and any degree of prolapse. If your doctor won’t make the referral don’t forget you can always SWITCH doctors, don’t forget to advocate for yourself

Is Pelvic floor physical therapy necessary post c section? Yup! your growing baby puts weight on your pelvic floor for 9 months. Also, 100% of women have diastasis recti after giving birth ( to varying degrees) and a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help with that too

Should I go if I am not pregnant and have never given birth? Honestly, everyone can benefit from going. A pelvic floor physiotherapist teaches you how that part of your body works. Subsequently, they teach you how to keep your pelvic floor healthy and happy. For instance, prolapsed organs can occur in people who didn’t give birth, simply from something like gaining a lot of weight, and having it push on your organs.

Pelvic floor therapy what to expect

Let me warn you, you will have to take off your pants in order for a pelvic floor physical therapist to assess you. By your pants, I mean all the clothing on your lower half. Your physiotherapist needs to gauge how much or how little you can engage your pelvic floor muscles. This can either be done with a machine or manually and depending on the particular therapist will happen every appointment or sporadically to check your progress.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy around the world

In France (like many other parts of the world) Pelvic floor physical therapy is seen as such an integral part of a mother’s postpartum healing journey that it’s not only covered by the state insurance but required care that accompanies birth.

In Germany, there are group postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy classes. These classes don’t have specialized care for each individual birthing person but they have the added benefit of not needing you to get naked.

Things your pelvic floor physical therapist can help with

• Irritable bowel syndrome IBS
• Endometriosis pain relief
• Prolapsed organs
• Loosening tight pelvic muscles
• Reversing incontinence
• Relieving sexual pain

Virtual Pelvic floor physiotherapy

InHer Physique is a pelvic floor physiotherapy workshop run by Dr.Justine she offers online and in-person care in Florida. I like that she provides free material on her social platforms so that pelvic floor physical therapy is accessible to everyone.

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