Can anybody see a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?
Yes! Everyone with a pelvis can see a pelvic health physiotherapist for any number of reasons/symptoms. You can always book a discovery session to see if we would be a good fit for one another :)
Who can be a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?
A Pelvic Health Physiotherapists (PHPT) are registered physiotherapists that have taken a minimum of 1 pelvic health course (level 1) that gives them the skills to perform internal vaginal and rectal exams. In Ontario, this is considered a “rostered act”, which means that all PHPT's must show that they have completed the right training for this.
Without this minimum training, it is quite difficult to properly assess and treat the pelvic floor muscles. As well, it is important to ask about other qualifications (ex: number of pelvic health courses, access to research, the amount of patients with pelvic health concerns, mentorship, etc;) because pelvic health physiotherapy is not taught in detail with basic physiotherapy training.
What is the difference between Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Technically, although they both treat the same thing (aka: the pelvic floor), pelvic floor physiotherapy is more of a treatment technique that specifically considers the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy takes the pelvic floor into consideration with the rest of your body, health and lifestyle factors. This is super important to achieve a full assessment and treatment plan!
Is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy covered under insurance?
Yes! It can be claimed under private physiotherapy benefits if the service is being provided by a registered physiotherapist.
How many sessions will I need?
This will depend on multiple factors such as your goals and the assessment findings. Each person will have a different treatment plan and may be starting from a different place. This is why physiotherapy needs to be individualized.
How do I prepare for my initial assessment?
No preparation is necessary; this is a judgment free and body positive zone!
Do I need a doctor’s referral to come see you?
No :) Physiotherapists are considered primary health care providers which means you do not require a doctor’s referral to see someone. However, your insurance company may require a doctor’s referral to cover physiotherapy services. It is best to call your insurance provider to determine if you will require a doctor’s referral or not.
What should I expect from my initial appointment?
During the first appointment, the goal is to gather information on your health journey so far, previous experiences, expectations and goals as part of the complete physical assessment. This may include information on general health, bladder and bowel history, previous treatment history, pain experiences and sexual and reproductive history - whatever you feel comfortable sharing.
We will combine this with the physical assessment to create a whole picture. This may also include an internal vaginal and/or rectal exam - but again, this is based on your comfort.
After this, we will begin treatment right away and create a plan together to help you move forward with a better idea of how we can target your symptoms.
Do I have to have an internal vaginal and/or rectal?
No - each session is a collaboration between you and I. Although internal vagina and/or rectal examinations provide valuable information, this does not need to be part of care if you do not feel comfortable with having an internal vaginal and/or rectal exam. Depending on what we are working on, we may not need to do one that session or we may have alternative ways of assessing what we need to.
What happens during an internal exam?
Internal vaginal and/or rectal exams are common assessment tools that Pelvic Health Physiotherapists use to directly assess the pelvic floor muscles. This examination is typically different than a gynaecological exam or a PAP test since little to no additional equipment is used (typically gloves and lubricant are staples). I typically assess each level of the pelvic floor and we take the time to learn about the process and anatomy together. However, you choose the speed and you can always choose to stop if you need to at any time.