What to expect from your first pelvic floor physio appointment?

On your first visit, after arriving at the clinic, your intake forms will be reviewed. Please try filling out the intake forms prior to your appointment (they will be emailed to you). Your assessment will begin like any other physiotherapy assessment.

Your Initial Assessment will involve-

• Detailed history taking

I will listen to your story, reasons for the visit and your expected goals. I will ask you specific questions about your bladder, bowel, sexual, gynecological & general health, and lifestyle habits to get more details relevant to your presenting problem.

• Functional exam

Involves functional assessment of your movement patterns (such as sitting, standing, squats, transitional movements, specific exercises, running).

• Musculoskeletal exam

Involves the assessment of your spine, hips, pelvis, rib cage, thorax and abdominal wall related to your presenting complaint.

• External exam

Involves the external assessment of pelvic structures (pelvic bones, joints - sacroiliac joint & pubis symphysis, ligaments, external muscles, and tissues of pelvic floor).

• Internal exam

Involves the assessment of internal pelvic structures (pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, fascia, pelvic organ prolapse, coccyx) to get information about muscle tone, strength, flexibility, coordination, endurance, and muscle function in relation to other body systems.

Although the internal exam provides very valuable information to the assessment, you have the right to refuse an internal exam or discuss any other related concerns at any point during the assessment or follow-up treatments.

Sometimes, internal exams may not be needed or desired. You can still get help from other assessment and treatment options based on your history and external assessment.

• Treatment plan

Once we have all the assessment results, an individualized comprehensive treatment plan will be discussed together based on YOUR individual goals. Treatment may involve manual therapy, alignment cues, specific exercises, strategies, and resources to help you along.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Roopdeep Kaur, PT, FRCms, MSc. PT, BPT

Orthopedic & Pelvic Health Physiotherapist