What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic Floor Therapy is becoming more popular as a remedy for common postpartum symptoms and other similar health concerns. Since we offer pelvic floor therapy at our women’s pregnancy and wellness center in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, we love to explain to patients how beneficial this treatment can be. Here’s a summary of what a woman can expect during pelvic floor therapy.

Are you struggling with urinary incontinence (leaking), difficulty with bowel movements, or pain during intercourse? Or are you interested in pregnancy and postpartum wellness? If yes, then you may greatly benefit from receiving pelvic floor therapy.

The pelvic floor consists of several muscle groups that provide a variety of functions such as bladder and bowel control, supporting the pelvic organs, and sexual arousal. These are some of the main factors that could contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, which can be eliminated or reduced with pelvic floor therapy. Pelvic floor therapy is also a treatment option for endometriosis. Some techniques used during pelvic floor therapy are pelvic floor exercises, massage or stretching, and relaxation. 

The goal of pelvic floor therapy is to decrease leaking, allow your body to have proper bladder and bowel movements, and experience pain-free sex. Also, a woman’s pelvic floor shifts after delivering a baby, so therapy can help strengthen these muscles.

Golden Family Chiropractic in the Charlotte, North Carolina area offers pelvic floor therapy through Dr. Lindsey Grom, DPT

Dr. Lindsey Grom is a doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in prenatal and postnatal care. She is passionate about providing quality care to women in one of their most vulnerable phases of life. Also, Dr. Lindsey has a desire to help educate women regarding the importance of postpartum care - which includes pelvic floor therapy.

Dr. Lauren Golden at Golden Family Chiropractic has partnered with Dr. Lindsey to provide patients with prenatal and postnatal physical therapy care. Dr. Lindsey offers in-office appointments at Golden Family Chiropractic on Wednesdays from 9:00-12:00 and 2:00-5:00.

Q&A with Dr. Lindsey Grom, Pelvic Floor Therapist

1.     Why are you passionate about helping women address pelvic floor problems?

My interest in treating women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) began when I was in my last rotation of my Doctoral program. I worked with a therapist who treated PFD and orthopedic injuries in the clinic and I saw how much she could help some suffering from pelvic floor complaints. After inquiring about it, I learned that there are not many therapists who work with this population of patients, and I decided to specialize since it is a population in need! 

Five years later, and now a mom myself, I am so lucky to work with these patients and be able to help them restore their bodies and function after pregnancy, birth, injuries, etc! I pride myself in helping women understand the need to advocate for themselves regarding their pelvic floor complaints since I have seen many patients brushed off by their MDs, or even provided with treatments and medications that may be unnecessary.

2.     What are some of the most common problems you work on?

The pelvic floor diagnoses I treat include diastasis recti, pubic symphysis pain, painful intercourse, incontinence, endometriosis, SI joint pain, prolapse, cesarean scar and episiotomy scar pain. With most of these diagnoses, there are secondary complaints such as low back pain, sciatica, and hip pain that I also treat. In order to “change a part” we have to “look at the whole.” 

3.     Describe your therapy sessions. What is talked about? What is recommended?

During a pelvic floor evaluation at our pregnancy wellness office in the Steele Creek area of North Carolina, I spend a good amount of time interviewing my patient and discussing their story, including what brought them to seek out my services. This gives me the whole picture of their life and what could impact their diagnosis for a more comprehensive approach to their treatment. 

Common questions during pelvic floor therapy are about your general health history, bathroom habits, exercise, diet, and sex life. These questions aren’t meant to be intrusive, but they can be vital in developing a patient’s plan of care. This discussion is followed by a postural and musculoskeletal assessment looking at the patients motion, strength, and special testing for muscle dysfunction, and lastly followed by an internal pelvic floor assessment if necessary. 

Now, this is NOT your typical OBGYN exam! Pelvic floor physical therapists do not use stirrups and we try to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible. I will explain step-by-step what you should expect with the internal exam and provide visuals of the exact muscles I will be examining. I obtain your consent prior to any portion of the exam and you have the right to change your mind at any time.

4.     What do most patients not know about pelvic floor function that you love to inform them about?

That leaking, perineal heaviness, pain with intercourse, and feeling “not quite right” are NOT their new normal after pregnancy and birth! 

I LOVE explaining to people what I do because, nine times out of ten, the response is, “I didn’t know there was therapy for that!” 

Across the country, many states allow for direct access to pelvic floor therapy. This means that a patient can seek care without the need for a written prescription from an MD to see a pelvic floor therapist. I try to educate everyone that before beginning a medicinal regimen or contemplating surgical procedure, to be assessed and treated by a PFPT to see if less invasive treatment options can help first.

5.     When should pelvic floor physical therapy start?

Pelvic floor physical therapy can begin whenever the patient is ready! I work with young athletes who might be experiencing incontinence issues or pain with certain activities. I also work with patients trying to conceive all the way through postpartum. 

During a patient’s pregnancy, I love to be able to help them modify their workouts, as well as provide information on what to expect during labor, birth, and the early postpartum phase. We offer a course for pregnant women in Charlotte, North Carolina, called Prepare: Childbirth Education specifically for these patients. This also sets us up perfectly for an evaluation after being cleared by their OBGYN at the six-week mark to assess their pelvic floor muscle function and aid in their recovery.  

Anyone at any time can request an evaluation, no matter how far out from birth or injury they are.