Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

what is pelvic health physiotherapy?

Pelvic health physiotherapy, also known as pelvic floor physio, is an evidence-based treatment for common conditions affecting the pelvic region. It is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that involves both internal and external assessments and treatments of the pelvic floor muscles, along with other structures that work in conjunction with these muscles. The pelvic floor muscles, located around the hip bones and sacrum, play a vital role in supporting pelvic organs, including the bladder, bowel, and uterus.

What do pelvic health physiotherapists treat?

Pelvic health physiotherapists have post graduate training and are rostered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario to practice. Some of the conditions and symptoms treated by pelvic health physiotherapists are:

WHAt to expect at your visits

Initial Assessment

You will start your treatment journey with an initial assessment by your pelvic floor physio. Before this assessment, you’ll fill out a comprehensive intake form that your therapist will review to gain insight into your specific needs. Typically lasting about one hour, the initial assessment provides an opportunity for your therapist to explore your health history and symptoms, offering a holistic understanding of your pelvic health. Throughout this session, your pelvic floor physio will take the time to listen to your story, enabling them to personalize your care effectively.

Following your initial assessment, your pelvic floor physio will perform a comprehensive physical examination tailored to your unique health story, symptoms, concerns, and comfort level. Your therapist will clearly explain the examination process and will only proceed with your consent. This examination may involve both external and internal assessments, including vaginal and rectal evaluations. It’s normal to feel vulnerable, nervous, or hesitant during this process. Remember, your pelvic floor physio is specially trained to provide this care and will guide you through each step, ensuring you feel comfortable and supported throughout the examination.

Assessment may/may not include looking at posture, breathing, connective tissue/scar mobility, abdomen, hips, back and functional movements. Some aspects of assessment may be deferred to follow up sessions.

It’s also important to note that while an internal pelvic exam is considered the gold standard for assessment and treatment of pelvic health concerns, it is preferred but not always mandatory. Your physiotherapist will meet you where you are on your journey and work with you.

Pelvic Health Follow Ups

Based on this assessment, you and your physiotherapist will work together to develop a plan of care that meets your goals and needs. This usually consists of follow up visits to work on your presenting concerns. Every individual case is different and depending on the nature of your condition the treatment duration may vary. These follow up treatments are up to 45 minutes in length.

Your treatment and follow ups may include things like:

insurance covereage

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can be covered under your extended health care benefits and billed as a physiotherapy service. We offer direct billing for most major insurance companies.

Meet your pelvic health physiotherapist

Eliza Pereira-Karve

Eliza started practicing in Canada back in 2011 as an orthopaedic physiotherapist. Starting in 2015, she gradually transitioned to pelvic health physiotherapy, focusing on treating female patients. She has completed numerous courses over the past decade, focused on prenatal and postpartum rehabilitation, diastasis rectus abdominis and core rehabilitation, post menopausal pelvic health, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain including endometriosis, dyspareunia, vaginismus and interstitial cystitis and pelvic girdle pain to name a few.

She has experience working with women of all ages, assisting them to overcome sexual health-related challenges, prepare for childbirth, return to exercise and activity after pregnancy and to age gracefully from peri to post menopause.

Eliza is passionate about assisting women in improving their quality of life!