You might feel nervous for your first pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) session. What’s going on down there is an intimate topic—it’s understandable! Knowing what to expect can help ease your fears. Here’s a break down of what typically happens during your first session.
1. Gathering Information
In the beginning, we will talk more about what you’re experiencing and I’ll ask follow-up questions based on your intake paperwork. We will also discuss your goals for therapy and what is motivating you to get help. Maybe you really want to be able to run around in the backyard with your kids without leaking, or maybe you want to enjoy pain-free intimacy with your partner. Whatever matters most to you, that’s what matters most to me.
2. External Assessment
I will take a look at your posture and pelvic alignment, assess your strength and range of motion, and analyze your movement patterns. This means I will watch you walk and perform a few functional movements, like squats or lunges, to look for signs of impairment.
3. Internal Assessment—With Consent
With your consent, I will perform an internal assessment of your pelvic floor muscles and other structures through the vaginal or anal opening. Don’t worry—there are no metal speculums or foot stirrups! It is a digital exam, meaning just one gloved finger is inserted. Sometimes two fingers are used to check for pelvic organ prolapse. You can withdraw your consent at anytime—even in the middle of the exam.
4. Education
Next, I will help you understand everything I found during your assessment and explain how it connects to your symptoms. I will teach you what you need to start working on and show you how to do a few exercises. Exercises can be anything from strengthening, to stretching, to breath work, to mindfulness.
5. Making a Plan
Finally, we will make a plan together to support your progress moving forward. You have lots of options when you work with Rhea Physical Therapy, and my goal is to find the right combination that suits your lifestyle.
Although this is a lot to do in one session, it lays the foundation for your progress to come. You should end the session with a few strategies and exercises to get you started on your healing journey. Plus, it gives you a better idea if pelvic floor PT is right for you. Throughout the entire session, I aim to make you feel safe, comfortable, and respected. I want you to feel heard and supported every step of the way. It can be scary to take this big step, but putting your pelvic health—and yourself—first, is worth it.
Rhea Physical Therapy provides at-home pelvic health care to women and children in the St. Louis, MO area and beyond. Rhea PT is owned and operated by Dr. Savannah Carlson, PT, DPT, RYT. Dr. Carlson is a pelvic health specialist who is dedicated to helping her clients overcome pelvic floor dysfunction so they can reach their full potential at home, work, and play. She earned her doctor of physical therapy degree at Washington University in St. Louis. The information provided on But First, Pelvic Health is for educational purposes only and should not be used as personalized medical advice.
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