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The specialty of pelvic floor physical therapy does include “intra-pelvic” or vaginal and/or rectal treatment. There are muscles inside your pelvis that control urine and bowels; they are part of your core and they undergo stress and injury just like your neck or shoulder may in daily life. Physical therapists perform a pelvic muscle assessment - this is usually different from what a medical doctor assesses when they perform a pelvic exam. The PT muscle assessment is a digital exam (gloved finger), not with a speculum and no stirrups are used. The PT is mainly testing two things: are there tight or tender muscles,, and is the patient able to coordinate (squeeze, relax, and bear down) within the pelvic floor. Similar to how, if you hurt your shoulder, your PT would first see what hurts and how well you can move your shoulder. The PT will describe exactly what they are testing, explain their findings, and explain how this could relate to the patient’s symptoms. It is not uncommon that pelvic floor issues are a result of trauma. This could be sexual trauma, or medical trauma including very difficult birthing experiences. If you are not comfortable with an internal assessment, but know you are suffering from pelvic floor issues, your therapist is still able to teach you many strategies and tips to help your issues externally. Fear of an internal assessment should not be a reason you do not seek Pelvic PT!

Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. Your physical therapist will be assessing your movement patterns and joints to gather information. An internal pelvic floor muscle assessment may also be performed vaginally or rectally. See “What to expect” for more information on this.

Peak Pelvic Health is an out-of-network provider. We can provide you with a Superbill that you can choose to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, but we do not directly bill your insurance. Payment is due at the time of service. You may pay for services with cash, check, or credit card including HSA or FSA.