Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What to Expect

Written By Alison Gordon

Many people live with pelvic floor symptoms far longer than they need to. Leaking when you sneeze, pelvic heaviness, pain with intercourse or menstruation, or a lingering sense that your core “just isn’t the same” — these experiences are common and normalized, but not something you have to put up with. 

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, navigating a pelvic health condition, or simply curious about your body, here’s what pelvic floor physiotherapy is all about.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on the muscles, nerves, connective tissues, and joints that make up your pelvic region—the area responsible for bladder control, bowel function, sexual health, core stability, and support of your pelvic organs.

A pelvic floor physiotherapist looks at how these structures are working together and helps you address symptoms such as:

  • Bladder or bowel urgency or leakage

  • Pelvic organ prolapse

  • Chronic pelvic, low back, or hip pain

  • Pain with intercourse

  • Abdominal separation (diastasis rectus abdominis)

  • Pregnancy and postpartum changes

  • Core weakness

  • Post-surgical recovery

At its heart, pelvic floor physiotherapy is about restoring function, reducing discomfort, and helping you feel at home in your body again.

Why Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Matters

Your pelvic floor is part of your deep core, and is the foundation for nearly everything you do from lifting your child, to getting out of a chair, to going for a run. When this system isn’t working well, the effects can ripple into daily life, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing.

People often hide pelvic symptoms because they feel embarrassed or think it’s “just normal after childbirth” or “part of getting older.” But these issues are both common and highly treatable. With the right care, you can:

  • Reduce leaking or decrease urinary frequency

  • Ease pain with intercourse or menstruation

  • Improve core strength and stability

  • Feel more confident and in control

  • Move comfortably again

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is appropriate at every stage of life—teens and young adults, pregnancy and postpartum, athletes, post-menopause, and beyond.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

One of the most common concerns people have is not knowing what will actually happen during a pelvic floor physio visit. Here’s how the process typically unfolds.

Before Your Appointment

There’s no special preparation required—just come as you are! Some people find it helpful to think about goals or questions beforehand, but it’s completely okay if you’re not sure - we will brainstorm together!

During the Appointment

Your session begins with a comfortable, open conversation about what you’re experiencing. More often than not, we’ll talk about all of the functions of the pelvic floor so that we can start to think about how everything is working together. From there, your assessment will be individualized and may include an evaluation of: 

  • Posture, alignment, breathing patterns, or other relevant movement patterns

  • Abdominal wall and core function

  • Hip, back, and pelvic mobility

  • Movement patterns that may be contributing to symptoms

It is likely that we will discuss an internal pelvic floor assessment so that we can better understand  how your pelvic floor muscles are working. This means assessing muscle tone, coordination strength, and tenderness, among other factors. Internal assessment is the most effective way for us to fully understand how the pelvic floor muscles are working, but it is always optional. There are always alternatives. My role is to explain your options; your role is to choose what feels right for you.

Treatment Approaches

Once we know what your concerns are, and have a sense of how your body is moving, we will work together to develop a treatment plan that is unique to you. Treatment often includes:

  • Education about your symptoms and how your pelvic floor works

  • Exercises to relax, coordinate, or strengthen the pelvic floor

  • Core retraining and breathwork

  • Manual therapy for the hips, pelvis, or spine

  • Strategies for bladder or bowel habits

  • Movement or lifestyle modifications

  • A home program that works within your goals and lifestyle.

My goal is that you will  leave with your first appointment with clarity, direction, and feeling supported. From there, we’ll work as a team to help you achieve your goals. 

Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can be helpful for anyone experiencing:

  • Bladder leakage or urgency

  • Bowel leakage or constipation

  • Pelvic organ prolapse

  • Painful intercourse

  • Chronic pelvic, low back, or hip pain

  • Pregnancy-related discomfort

  • Postpartum recovery (vaginal or cesarean birth)

  • Menopause-related changes

  • Return to exercise or athletic performance

  • Post-surgical or cancer-related rehabilitation

If something doesn’t feel right in your pelvic area or core, pelvic floor physiotherapy is a great place to start.

Taking the First Step

You don’t need a referral to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist, so your first step is simply to book an appointment or reach out if you have further questions.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy doesn't have to be awkward or intimidating - you deserve to have space to have a conversation about how your body works, feel heard, understood, and guided with care and respect. Pelvic symptoms may be common, but they’re not something you have to navigate alone. With the right support, you can feel grounded, strong, and confident in your body again.

If you’re experiencing pelvic health symptoms or simply want to understand your body better, I’m here to support you. 

Book your appointment or contact me anytime with questions:

Alison Gordon