In plain words
A pelvic floor physical therapist is a licensed physical therapist who has trained in the muscles, nerves, and connective tissue of the pelvis. They assess how the pelvic floor is working, including strength, relaxation, and coordination. They may do an internal exam, with your consent, and they teach exercises and movement. They help with leaking urine, pain during sex, pelvic pain, symptoms, and back or hip pain linked to the pelvis. You do not need a referral in every state, but many insurers ask for one. Mothers often learn about these therapists from their provider or a . The therapist works alongside your provider, not in place of them.
The deeper version
Pelvic floor physical therapists are licensed physical therapists with postgraduate training in pelvic health, typically through certification or continuing education recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Women's Health. Their assessment covers symptom history, posture and breathing, external and internal palpation of the , grading of voluntary contraction (for example the ), endurance, relaxation, and coordination with cough. is recommended in ACOG guidance as a conservative option for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction, and referral criteria in the postpartum period include persisting pain, leakage, or pelvic heaviness. Access varies widely by region, and not every practice offers direct-access visits.
Where it comes up
- Your pelvic floor after birthPostpartum: Your Body
- Peeing after birth and leakingPostpartum: Your Body
- Prolapse: heaviness, bulging, and what helpsPostpartum: Your Body
- Sex after birth: when, pain, dryness, desirePostpartum: Your Body
- The six-week checkup (and why it isn't enough)Postpartum: Your Body
What mothers here say about pelvic floor physical therapist
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Sources
- American Physical Therapy Association — Section on Women's Health: pelvic health physical therapy practice resources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Practice Bulletin No. 155: Urinary Incontinence in Women (2015)