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This blog post is written by Samira Panjaki, PT, DPT

What is telehealth for pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy can be used to treat a variety of symptoms in both men and women. Conditions range from sexual pain to urinary and fecal incontinence. While an in office visit is the ideal way to be fully evaluated, making a telehealth appointment for your pelvic floor symptoms is a great way to get started. Furthermore, since telehealth is done in the comfort of your own home it eliminates any anxiety you may have about a pelvic exam.

What are pelvic floor exercises?

A recent study conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (1) looked at women’s baseline knowledge of pelvic floor exercises and pelvic floor disorders. The study found that while the subjects had high baseline knowledge regarding pelvic disorders, they did not know about exercise and therefore they were not inclined to perform pelvic floor exercises. This is where your pelvic floor physical therapist can help.

What will happen during my treatment?

As part of your treatment program your pelvic floor physical therapist at Park Sports Physical Therapy will conducted a thorough subjective exam via teleconferencing. Furthermore, your PT will create an exercise program for you that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Depending on what is found on an initial evaluation your PT will create an individualized exercise program for you. This may include stretching the pelvic girdle muscles, strengthening of pelvic, abdominal, hip, and back muscles, breathing and relaxation techniques, and functional activities aimed to retrain your muscles.

Why is having access to your physical therapist so important in your plan of care?

Having an exercise program overseen by your PT will improve your chances of success. A study published in 2018 found that long long-term adherence to pelvic floor exercises in women was influenced by having personalized instructions as well as aids that served as reminders (2).

At Park Sports Physical Therapy your pelvic floor physical PT will provide you with exercises sheets and educational handouts with easy to follow instructions. Most importantly your PT will check in with you frequently to keep you accountable. If you are ready to take the next step in improving your pelvic health click here to request telehealth appointment!

Sources

1.Goodridge, SD. et al. Association of Knowledge and Presence of Pelvic Floor Disorders and Participation in Pelvic Floor Exercises: A Cross-sectional Study. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. Jan 25 2020.
2. Venegas M, Carrasco B, Casas-Cordero R. Factors influencing long-term adherence to pelvic floor exercises in women with urinary incontinence. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 2018;37:1120–1127.
3. Image credit here