Pelvic Floor Assessment

pt-bellyAn initial pelvic floor assessment is usually performed by an OB-GYN and/or urologist who conducts a very brief simple vaginal (women) or rectal (men) examination of the pelvic floor.

If they determine that muscles are tight or dysfunctional, they will make a referral to a physical therapist who will perform a more comprehensive to determine which muscles are involved.

A physical therapist will then perform a more thorough examination, including:

  • An assessment of your posture
  • Evaluation of connective tissue in the abdomen, back, pelvis and lower extremities
  • Myofascial evaluation of the pelvic girdle muscles
  • Examination to identify myofascial trigger points in the pelvic girdle and pelvic floor muscles
  • Pelvic floor examination to assess muscle tone, motor control, strength, nerve and coccyx tenderness
  • Evaluation of muscle strength
  • Skin inspection
  • Peripheral altered neurodynamics testing/palpation

If you are unable to tolerate an internal examination due to pain and/or discomfort, physical therapists can use some equipment to measure your overall muscle tone. They may, over several weeks, work to slowly relax those muscles so that you can eventually tolerate therapy and, ideally perhaps, intimacy.

After the examination, the PT will share their findings and provide a treatment plan that will include some exercises and stretches. Patients normally undergo about eight treatments before they are re-evaluated. The duration of treatment is based on the severity and chronicity of your symptoms.

If you cannot afford a full physical therapy treatment or it is not covered by insurance, many patients will pay for the initial evaluation out of pocket so that they can get an idea of what issues they are struggling with and some suggested exercises.

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