Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Floor Therapy

General Pelvic Floor Therapy FAQs

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles, joints, nerves, and connective tissues of the pelvis and surrounding areas. These structures are essential for bladder and bowel control, core stability, sexual health, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, perimenopause support, and overall comfort with daily movement and activity.

    Effective pelvic floor therapy is comprehensive and treats the body as a whole. In addition to addressing symptoms, it looks at how breathing, posture, movement patterns, stress, sleep, hormone changes, lifestyle factors, and current activity levels impact pelvic health. Patients are given practical strategies and individualized guidance to support lasting relief, improved function, and confidence in their bodies.

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy can help people of all ages and life stages who are experiencing pelvic or core-related issues.

    • Children with pelvic floor concerns such as bedwetting, constipation, or urinary leakage.

    • Women with urinary or bowel problems, pelvic pain, painful periods, or menstrual issues.

    • Hormonal and reproductive concerns: Women experiencing period pain, infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, or symptoms related to pre- and post-menopause.

    • Pregnancy and postpartum: Those preparing for birth, improving pregnancy stability, or recovering postpartum, including addressing scar tissue from C-sections or vaginal tears.

    • Older adults: Women with urinary or bowel leakage, pelvic pain, or prolapse.

    • Orthopedic and musculoskeletal concerns: Anyone with low back, hip, tailbone, or core weakness that affects pelvic health.

    Pelvic floor PT focuses on the whole body—helping improve strength, coordination, relaxation, and function of the pelvic floor while connecting it to core stability, posture, movement, and daily activity.

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy can help with bladder problems such as urine leakage, strong urges to go, frequent bathroom trips, and difficulty fully emptying the bladder. It also addresses bowel issues including constipation, trouble emptying, bowel leakage, and urgency. Pelvic floor PT is highly effective for pain with sex or intimacy, including pain during intercourse, difficulty reaching orgasm, and vaginismus.

    It can help manage chronic pelvic pain conditions such as interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), endometriosis, and pudendal nerve pain, as well as pelvic organ prolapse symptoms like pelvic pressure, heaviness, or a bulging sensation. Pelvic floor therapy also treats hip, low back, and tailbone pain, core and pelvic floor weakness, and feelings of instability through the abdomen and pelvis.

    In addition, pelvic floor PT supports pregnancy and postpartum care, including prenatal pelvic floor therapy, birth preparation, pregnancy-related discomfort, postpartum recovery, C-section or vaginal tear scar tissue, and hormone-related pelvic symptoms.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Treatment FAQs

  • During an internal pelvic floor assessment, we evaluate more than just muscle strength. We look at how well the pelvic floor muscles can contract, relax, and coordinate, as well as how they manage pressure during everyday activities like breathing, lifting, and movement. We also assess muscle tension, tenderness, and how the pelvic floor responds to load and strain.

    Importantly, the pelvic floor does not work in isolation. We evaluate how it functions together with the entire body, including the deep and superficial muscles at the front and back of the body—such as the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, hips, glutes, and low back—to ensure everything is working as a coordinated system. This whole-body approach allows us to identify the true root cause of symptoms and create a more effective, long-lasting treatment plan.

  • Your first visit at Rome Physical Therapy is a comprehensive, one-on-one evaluation designed to truly understand you and your body. We’ll take the time to review your full medical history, current symptoms, and personal goals, then assess posture, movement patterns, and how your body manages pressure during daily activities. Your therapist will complete a detailed core and pelvic floor screening—internal or external, always guided by your comfort and consent—to evaluate strength, coordination, relaxation, and overall function.

    From there, we develop a personalized, whole-body treatment plan that connects the pelvic floor with the hips, core, breathing, and posture to address the root cause of your symptoms—not just the surface issues. You’ll leave your first session with clarity, a clear plan of care, and targeted exercises and strategies you can begin implementing from day one to support lasting relief and confidence in your body.

  • Comfortable, flexible clothing—leggings, shorts, or anything you feel relaxed moving in. But honestly, it doesn’t matter- we can work around any clothing! Just be you and be comfortable!

The Logistics FAQs

  • This is one of our most common questions—and it makes total sense. Because we look for the root cause of your symptoms, the timeline varies from person to person, even if the diagnosis is the same.

    In general, most patients begin noticing meaningful changes within 3–5 visits. This may look like reduced symptoms, better awareness and connection with your body, and the reassurance that you're finally in the right place.

    That said, 3–5 sessions usually just scratch the surface of what’s truly contributing to your symptoms. Our goal isn’t quick, temporary relief—we want to fully resolve your symptoms and help you move with confidence again, without worrying about your pelvic floor.

    If complete and lasting resolution is your goal, you’re in the right place. While it is a commitment, we always say: short-term investment, long-term results. Everything you learn here is meant to support your body not just now, but for the rest of your life.

  • In South Carolina, you can start physical therapy without a referral for a limited period. If we need one later, we’ll help coordinate it.

  • Given our specialty, Rome PT is an out-of-network practice. We provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. If you want more information, please click here about pelvic floor therapy and out-of-network benefits.

The Rome PT Difference FAQs

  • At Rome Physical Therapy, we stand apart because every clinician on our team is highly specialized in women’s health and pelvic floor care. We’ve completed extensive advanced training so you’re never getting generic exercises or cookie-cutter plans.

    You won’t find us handing out kegels, bridges, or clamshells as a default—and we won’t hook you up to a machine. Instead, we take time to understand exactly which pelvic floor muscles are involved (front, back, outer layers, or deep layers) and uncover the reason they’re not functioning well in the first place.

    Our approach is precise, individualized, and rooted in true pelvic floor expertise. We don’t just treat symptoms—we identify the “why” so you can get long-lasting, meaningful results.