What Happens During the Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Session?

A pelvic floor therapy session usually begins with a detailed discussion. During this conversation, we ask about your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and daily activities.

You may be asked questions about your posture, physical activity, previous injuries, and any changes you have noticed in your pelvic health.

This discussion allows us to understand how your symptoms affect your routine. Our pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton ensures you feel comfortable sharing information so we can plan the next steps of your care together.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Evaluation

In some cases, we may recommend a pelvic floor muscle evaluation to better understand how the muscles are functioning. Before beginning, your physiotherapist explains the procedure and ensures you feel comfortable.

Some assessments are performed externally around the pelvis and hips. In other situations, a gentle internal assessment may be suggested to evaluate muscle strength, relaxation, and coordination.

Your consent is always important, and you can ask questions at any time. This evaluation helps us understand whether the muscles are weak, tight, or not coordinating effectively.

Guided Exercises During the Session

Once the assessment is complete, we introduce exercises that help improve pelvic floor function. These exercises focus on muscle awareness, coordination, and control.

You may learn how to gently contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles. We will also guide you through breathing exercises that support proper muscle activation.

Other exercises may involve movements for the hips, core, and lower back. These areas work closely with the pelvic floor, so improving their coordination can support better pelvic health.

Through pelvic floor physical therapy, you learn how to perform these movements safely so you can continue practicing them at home.

Manual Therapy Techniques

Manual therapy is sometimes included during treatment sessions to support muscle relaxation and improve tissue mobility.

Some commonly used techniques include:

• Soft tissue release to reduce muscle tension
• Myofascial release to improve flexibility in connective tissue
• Trigger point therapy to relieve areas of muscle stiffness
• Joint mobilization for the hips and lower back

These techniques are performed gently and always explained beforehand.

Supportive Modalities That May Be Included

In addition to exercises and manual therapy, certain supportive modalities may be included in your treatment plan depending on your needs.

Some commonly used modalities in pelvic health physiotherapy include:

• Biofeedback therapy to help you visualize pelvic floor muscle activity
• Electrical muscle stimulation to encourage muscle activation
• Therapeutic ultrasound therapy to support tissue healing
• Radial shockwave therapy to help stimulate tissue response and reduce muscle tightness in the surrounding areas

We explain how each modality works and how it supports your overall treatment plan.

Building Healthy Movement Habits

Pelvic floor physiotherapy also focuses on improving how your body moves during daily activities. Small adjustments in posture and movement patterns can support pelvic health.

We may guide you on:

• Safe lifting techniques
• Breathing patterns during movement
• Posture while sitting or standing
• Movement strategies during exercise

These habits allow your muscles to work more efficiently throughout the day. By practicing these techniques regularly, you support the progress made during pelvic floor therapy sessions.