Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

As part of your assessment, you will have  an internal vaginal examination  to determine the strength, endurance and co-ordination of your pelvic floor muscles. The physiotherapist will start by ensuring you know how to correctly locate and activate your muscles, usually during the vaginal examination.

Being able to feel the muscles work correctly is the gold standard way of teaching this. You will be given a clear plan of how many exercises and how often to exercise, and in which positions, in order to see progress. The exercise programme needs to be progressed over time, as you improve, like any other exercise plan.

Your physiotherapist will usually signpost you to useful resources about your condition and ask you to read some material or watch a short video. Understanding your condition is an important tool in getting better. You may be asked to undertake a regular exercise programme, or use relaxation/breathing/mindfulness techniques at home. You may be taught some ‘hand-on’ techniques so you can use some self treatment at home, which can be really helpful as it enables more frequent treatment.

The pelvic floor is The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus (womb) and bowel. The openings from these organs, the urethra from the bladder, the vagina from the uterus and the anus from the bowel pass through the pelvic floor.

The physio has done extended training in obstetrics and gynaecology in order to treat pelvic health conditions.