What Do They Actually Do During Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
For many women, the idea of pelvic floor physical therapy comes with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. Maybe you’ve heard it can help with leaking, postpartum recovery, or pelvic pain—but you’re not quite sure how it works, or what actually happens during an appointment.
Pelvic floor PT is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on evaluating and treating the muscles, tissues, and structures that support the pelvic organs. These muscles help control bladder and bowel function, support posture and stability, and play a big role in core strength and sexual health.
At FIXXED in Wakefield, we work exclusively with women to address a wide range of pelvic health concerns using a whole-body, personalized approach. And while yes, some of the work can be intimate, it’s always grounded in trust, comfort, and full consent—you are always in control.
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just about internal exams or kegel exercises. It’s about understanding how your body moves, functions, and heals—and giving you the tools to feel strong, confident, and supported from the inside out.
The First Visit: What to Expect and How We Start
Your first pelvic floor PT session at FIXXED is all about understanding you. Before we talk about muscles or movement, we start with a conversation. We want to hear your story—what brought you in, what you're experiencing, and what your goals are. This could include anything from leaking, pelvic pain, discomfort with intimacy, or feeling disconnected from your core after childbirth.
Next, we’ll guide you through a movement-based assessment. This may include looking at posture, breathing patterns, core engagement, and how your hips, back, and pelvis move during basic activities. These external findings often give us valuable insight into how your pelvic floor is functioning as part of your whole system.
Depending on your comfort level, we may also talk about the option of an internal pelvic floor exam—but this is always your choice. Nothing is ever done without clear explanation and your enthusiastic consent.
Throughout the visit, our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and completely at ease. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s going on in your body—and a plan to start feeling better.
Internal and External Assessments: Explained Clearly
At FIXXED, we know that pelvic health can feel like a sensitive topic—which is why we prioritize clarity, comfort, and consent in everything we do. One of the most common questions we hear is: What does an assessment actually involve?
External Assessment
Before anything else, we assess how your body moves as a whole. That might include looking at:
Your breathing patterns and rib mobility
Core and hip strength and coordination
Posture and pelvic alignment
Functional movements like squatting or lifting
These external findings often give us important context and may already reveal why your pelvic floor is under too much tension, not engaging well, or compensating for other areas.
Internal Assessment
If appropriate and with your full consent, we may also perform an internal exam—done vaginally by a trained pelvic health therapist in a private, supportive setting. This allows us to evaluate:
Muscle tone (too tight or too weak)
Coordination and endurance
Areas of tenderness or overactivity
Ability to contract and relax properly
Internal exams can be incredibly informative—but they are never required. We’ll talk through the reasons, what it involves, and how it might help. You’re always in control, and there’s no pressure to proceed with anything that doesn’t feel right for you.
Treatment Techniques Used in Pelvic Floor PT
Once we’ve gathered a clear picture of how your pelvic floor and surrounding systems are functioning, we tailor a treatment plan specifically for your needs and goals. At FIXXED, pelvic floor therapy goes far beyond doing a few kegels. It’s a whole-body, muscle + movement-based approach designed to create lasting change.
Here are some of the treatment techniques we may use:
Breath and Core Retraining
Your diaphragm, core, and pelvic floor work as a team. We’ll help you build better breathing mechanics and core coordination so your pelvic floor can function more efficiently—especially during movement, lifting, and daily activities.
Manual Therapy
We may use gentle hands-on techniques to release tension in the pelvic floor, hips, abdomen, or low back. This might include external or internal work, depending on your comfort level, to improve mobility and reduce pain.
Neuromuscular Re-Education
This involves teaching your body how to properly engage (and relax) the pelvic floor as part of full-body movement. Think of it as re-patterning how your system functions under load, pressure, or movement.
Mobility and Strength Training
Targeted exercises to address imbalances, improve posture, and build long-term pelvic floor support. We’ll integrate these into your routine in ways that are manageable, meaningful, and sustainable.
You’ll never leave guessing what to do or why it matters. Our sessions are collaborative and always designed with your comfort, lifestyle, and goals in mind.
Building a Personalized Plan at FIXXED
At FIXXED, pelvic floor physical therapy is never one-size-fits-all. Every woman who walks through our door has a different story, different symptoms, and different goals—and your care plan should reflect that.
After your initial assessment, we’ll create a customized treatment plan that meets you where you are. That might mean addressing symptoms like leaking or pelvic pain, rebuilding core strength after childbirth, or simply helping you feel more confident and in control of your body.
Your plan may include:
One-on-one sessions with a licensed pelvic health therapist
A blend of hands-on therapy, movement-based strategies, and education
Home exercises that fit into your routine—not take over your life
Ongoing support and adjustments as your needs evolve
Whether you’re dealing with a specific concern or just want to feel more connected and supported in your body, we’re here to guide you with expertise, empathy, and a whole-body mindset.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us to schedule your first pelvic floor PT session and start feeling better—on your terms.
