What can I expect for my first pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment?
First off, DON’T BE SCARED!
I always like to tell my clients that it’s a lot better and more comfortable than getting a pap test done, I know I am not the biggest fan of getting them but know they are of utmost importance! 99% of the time, this is exactly what first timers say when they have completed their appointment, “That wasn’t so bad!” and we couldn’t agree more!
Here is what you will LEARN from your first Pelvic Floor Appointment:
Increased knowledge of your anatomy
What the TRUE CORE is:
Pelvic Floor
Diaphragm
Transverse Abdominis
Multifidus
What your KEGEL STRENGTH (1-5 Scale):
0 NONE
1 Butterfly Flicker
2 Light Squeeze
3 Squeeze and Lift
4 Tighter Squeeze and Lift
5 KEGEL OLYMPICS! Whoop Whoop - The Ultimate Goal!
Overall pelvic floor tone: Do you need to work on RELAXING your pelvic floor or STRENGTHENING it?
Do you have any descent/prolapse of your pelvic organs? Anything falling out?
Exercises, Exercises, Exercises
Here is what to EXPECT from your first Pelvic Floor Appointment:
A friendly face upon arrival
Private treatment room - this may seem common practice but not in all clinics!
An in depth verbal conversation about your issues: medical conditions, bowel and urination habits, sexual function, gynecological health, pregnancies, etc. You can ask as many questions as you wish, gaining knowledge is key to your success and improvement!
Discussion with a therapist about which assessment techniques and treatments are best suited to you - we do this together- TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Assessment: external (outside body) and internal (inside body).
Did you know an internal vaginal examination is the GOLD STANDARD for pelvic floor treatment and allows the most throughout assessment of your concern and dysfunctions
Ie. If you came in for an appointment about your shoulder and the therapist didn’t examine your shoulder muscles directly I would assume you would be rather disappointed.
Assessment of muscle strength, endurance, coordination, trigger points, scar tissue, to name a few
Therapist makes you as COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE! This may also include the therapist making fun of herself, been known to happen more than once!
You will leave with a brain full of NEW information and the ability to engage muscles you didn’t even know you had!
About the Author: Keira Forsyth, PT.
Keira Forsyth graduated from the University of Alberta with a Masters of Physical Therapy which was preceded by a Bachelor of Education with Honours from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honours from the University of British Columbia Okanagan.
She enjoys treating patients of all ages from all walks of life. Keira strives to give individualized care to each of her clients, focusing on a client centred approach. Keira enjoys treating her clients with her manual skills learned throughout her postgraduate courses. While Keira loves treating orthopaedic injuries, she has also specialized in Pelvic Floor/Women’s Health issues. She has a passion for treating pelvic health conditions including but not limited to: Stress Urinary Incontinence, Urge Urinary Incontinence, Mixed Urinary Incontinence, Prolapse (Bladder, Uterine, Rectal), Fecal Incontinence, Diastasis, Dyspareunia (painful intercourse), Vulvodynia and Postpartum issues.
It is very important to Keira to continually increase her knowledge base not only for her own benefit but most importantly her clients. That is why she continually pursues evidence based postgraduate courses.
Outside of work, Keira keeps herself busy at the barn training with her two mares. She trains for jumpers with her Dutch Warmblood, Ravita, and for pleasure and hunters with her Paint mare, Asking for Trouble. Keira also enjoys with a number of physical activities including yoga, running and weight lifting.