Pelvic health physiotherapy, also referred to as pelvic floor physiotherapy, consists of the assessment and treatment of a variety of conditions in which the muscles of the pelvic floor play an important role. These conditions are wide-ranging and can occur across all ages and genders. A few of the most common conditions that can benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy include:

• low-back, pelvic, or hip pain
• urinary or faecal incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing, or jumping, or not being able to make it to the toilet in time)
• chronic constipation or difficulty voiding
• problems related to the menstrual cycle (including endometriosis)
• dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
• painful scars in the pelvic region, such as those associated with surgery or childbirth
• pelvic organ prolapse
• diastasis recti abdominis
• pregnancy and postpartum

In order to better assess the structures of the pelvic floor, pelvic health physiotherapists have additional training allowing them to palpate the structures of the pelvic floor through internal assessments and treatments. These internal assessments and treatments can be performed vaginally and/or rectally. Your pelvic health physiotherapist may recommend internal work, but it is always your choice whether or not you would like to be assessed and treated in this manner.