Pelvic floor therapy helps muscles in and around your pelvis work efficiently. This can reduce pain and improve your quality of life.

The pelvic floor is a network of muscles, joints and connective tissues that go from the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis to the tailbone at the back of the pelvis. The pelvic floor creates a sling to support the abdominal organs, like the bladder, uterus and colon.

It affects:

• How your bowel and bladder work
• Continence
• Organ positioning or prolapse
• Sexual function

What to Expect on Your First Visit

• We will ask you to fill out one or two forms to give your therapist details about your symptoms. This information will guide your evaluation.
• The therapist will listen to your health history and ask about your current symptoms. They may ask questions about factors that could contribute to your symptoms, such as:
  • Nutrition and hydration
  • Toileting habits for both bowel and bladder
  • Stress
  • Wellness activities
  • Your job or other daily activities
  • Sleep habits
  • Sexual activities
• Your therapist will do a physical exam. The exam will help them determine how the muscles, ligaments, nerves, joints and movements in and around your pelvis affect your symptoms. They will also look at your posture, breathing patterns and scar tissue mobility.
• Your therapist may recommend an exam of your external perineum and/or internal pelvic floor muscles. Your therapist will help you maintain your modesty and comfort with each step of the exam.
• For some assessments, your therapist may perform a gentle internal exam with a gloved finger to better understand how your pelvic floor muscles are working. This will only be done with your consent and will be explained step-by-step to make sure you’re comfortable.
• Your therapist will teach you about how your pelvic floor works. They will make a custom rehabilitation care plan for you.

You may feel nervous about your first visit. We encourage you to talk to your therapist about the evaluation and treatment options that may be best for you.

Schedule an Appointment

Northwestern Medicine Rehabilitation Services offers pelvic health physical therapy throughout the Chicagoland area. You must have a prescription from a physician to schedule physical therapy services.

To schedule an appointment, please call 630.933.1500 (TTY: 711). Your physician can fax the prescription for therapy to 630.933.1550.