Pelvic PT 101: Your top questions answered
What exactly is Pelvic Floor PT and will it help me?
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy addresses a variety of conditions including bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction in men, women and children. Pelvic floor physical therapists perform thorough external and internal pelvic assessments to determine the cause of dysfunction. Muscles may be overactive or underactive making it difficult for these pelvic floor muscles to provide the support and stability it needs during everyday activities. It’s not always just about performing kegel exercises! A physical therapist can develop an individualized treatment plan appropriate to your needs in order to restore optimal muscle function and support to allow you to return to the activities you love without pain.
I’m a male, would pelvic floor PT work for me?
Yes! Males have pelvic floor muscles too that can cause pain and dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapists take advanced coursework in treating a variety of issues, such as erectile dysfunction, bowel or bladder incontinence, scarring or weakness after surgery (e.g. prostatectomy), painful intercourse or ejaculation, testicular or scrotal pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor of local pelvic floor physical therapist. If you live in the Metro Atlanta area, the therapists at Atlanta PT would love to help you!
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Your first appointment with a pelvic floor PT will first include a thorough review of your medical and personal history to better identify the root cause of your dysfunction and to identify your personal goals with therapy. Your therapist will then perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, movement patterns and overall mobility and strength. It’s important to remember the pelvis is part of a system and the therapist will look at your whole system to see how it interacts with your pelvic floor. Visual inspection as well as external and internal assessment of the pelvic floor muscles may also be completed as part of your evaluation. Afterwards, the physical therapist will review their findings, develop a plan for your treatment and answer any questions you may have.
Will my insurance cover this treatment?
Insurance companies do cover the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions provided by a skilled physical therapist and some may require a written referral provided by your medical doctor. At Atlanta PT, we bill all insurance plans, either in network or out of network. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, our wonderful staff would be happy to verify your benefits to let you know the cost of treatment.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to see a pelvic floor physical therapist?
Some insurance companies require a referral from a medical doctor prior to the start of your care. Since our clinic is in the state of Georgia, the physical therapy practice act requires a written referral within 6 visits or 21 days. We are able to start your plan of care without a doctor’s referral and can work with you in establishing a doctor that fits your specific needs.
