Pelvic Floor Therapy
We’re proud to offer Pelvic Floor Therapy at Creekside! This special kind of physiotherapy focuses solely on the pelvic floor: a group of muscles that sit in the pelvic like a sling or hammock, holding and supporting the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs.
This is an incredibly important part of our body, as it is a key component of core strength, an integral part of our sexual function, and the foundation of all our internal organs.
And yet, so many of us do much (or anything!) to maintain the proper functioning of this muscle group — which makes sense, since it’s completely internal and hidden from our view. But because it goes unnoticed, pelvic floor dysfunction is quite prevalent.
One of the most common ways this dysfunction manifests is in female urinary incontinence. Although many women are taught that urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging, this isn’t exactly true: while it’s incredibly common, it indicates that the pelvic floor is not in its optimal state.
Many conditions can lead to the dysfunction of this muscle group, including pregnancy, menopause, and gynaecological surgery. The resulting symptoms can include pain, urinary leakage, and incontinence. Thankfully, physiotherapy can help with these by addressing the tone, strength, timing, and function of these muscles, as well as working with behavioural strategies to reduce symptoms.
Your appointment will look a little different than other treatments. To begin, your practitioner — either Gill Horton or Irina Koegl, our two wonderful Pelvic Floor Therapists here at Creekside — will ask you questions about your specific problem and goals, so that she can understand your situation and craft your unique treatment plan. She’ll also ask some questions about your bladder, bowel, and sexual functions, since the pelvic floor is closely related to all three of these systems. This consultation should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
Next up, you’ll have your physical exam, which is partially internal. This is an incredibly important part of the treatment, since it allows your physiotherapist to accurately assess the function of your pelvic floor, so they can understand what specifically needs attention and care.
Research shows that pelvic floor treatments that include an internal examination are highly successful, and that the treatments described thereafter have a much higher chance of easing symptoms compared to treatments that don’t include an internal exam. (Just think: an orthopaedic surgeon wouldn’t examine your knee through a pair of jeans!)
This efficacy means that the treatments your practitioner prescribes are a fantastic first line of defence that can help you avoid further, more invasive interventions (like surgery, for example) for incontinence and other pelvic floor issues.
Once Gill or Irina has examined the state and function of your pelvic floor muscles, she’ll create a treatment plan unique to your needs. This might include exercises and movements, as well as changes to consider for your daily activities.
Both Gill and Irina are highly trained physiotherapists — as well as a sensitive and caring practitioners who are dedicated to ensuring that your appointments with her feel as safe and comfortable as possible.
If you’re interested in learning more about pelvic floor physiotherapy, or would like to book an appointment, please contact us here, or call the clinic at 250-427-2202. We’d be happy to answer your questions!
Meet Gillian and Irina, our resident Pelvic Floor experts:
