Not sure if Pelvic PT will help? Check out our FAQs
General Questions
DO you take my insurance?
No, we do not work for the insurance companies, we work for YOU: our patient. This allows for all of your treatment sessions to be one-on-one with a skilled provider without treatments being dictated by or severely limited by your insurance company. By being a fee for service provider, we are able to provide better care to all of our patients which will ultimately save YOU money (especially if you have a large plan deductible that must be met before insurance kicks in to help you out). This model of practice has also shown that patients generally require fewer treatment sessions to meet their goals as compared to a traditional, insurance-based clinic.
What Happens during my First visit?
Your evaluation will include an assessment of mobility and strength, a comprehensive pelvic muscle evaluation, and biofeedback training. You will receive an individualized treatment program to address your symptoms.
What exactly is Biofeedback?
Sessions will include biofeedback (also known as surfaceEMG) for Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. This tool uses sensors to pick up muscle activation which provides information about the muscles during work. Biofeedback helps individuals "visualize" muscle activity to better understand how to train the muscles.
What happens during treatment?
All sessions take place in a private therapy room. Treatment approaches may include orthopedic and manual therapy, internal pelvic floor muscle treatment, pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback, generalized strengthening, postural correction, and education, to address negative health and emotional consequences surrounding dysfunction.
Will I have home exercises to work on?
You will receive a customized home exercise program, we keep exercises easy, and short. Patients who stick with their exercises progress faster and see results sooner!
How many sessions will I need to schedule?
After your initial evaluation, your PT will discuss your personalized plan of care. We recommend one session per week. Depending on diagnosis and length of time since experiencing symptoms, expect to schedule 6-12 visits.
HOW IS A PELVIC PT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PTS?
Physical therapists work in a variety of settings, the doctoral training and license ensures that they can treat any dysfunction caused by the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. A Pelvic PT has advanced training in this area of practice, and typically Pelvic PTs focus specifically on patients with pelvic related concerns which allows greater quality of care.
How do I file with my insurance for reimbursement?
We can provide you with a superbill so that you will be able to file with your insurance company for possible reimbursement. It is recommended that if you are needing reimbursement that you speak with your insurance provider about your out of network benefits prior to booking at Inertia as we cannot guarantee that your insurance will reimburse your costs, but we can provide you with everything you need to submit for possible reimbursement. It is your responsibility to file with your insurance and interface with them on any questions or follow-up that they may have as we are not able to do so since we are not contracted with the insurance companies.
Do I need a referral for Pelvic PT?
We would love for you to bring your referral. If you don't have one, we will communicate with your medical provider. The prescription does NOT need to be specific for Pelvic PT.
Women's Health
I have pain when attempting to use a tampon, can PT help?
This issue (Vaginismus) is often due to increased tension of pelvic floor muscles, we use many techniques to help decrease this tension so you can use tampons without any issues.
I have pain with gynecological exams, how will this help?
This issue is often due to increased tension of pelvic floor muscles, we use many techniques to help decrease this tension so you can use tampons without any issues.
I feel like i go to the bathroom all the time, can Pelvic Pt help me go less?
Absolutely! The bladder is a muscle that can also be trained, in conjunction with the pelvic floor, we use many techniques to help you void on a more normal schedule.
I'm experiencing bowel accidents, How does Pelvic PT help with this?
Bowel leakage (fecal incontinence) can occur when weak pelvic floor muscles can't do their job (sphincter control). Education, adjustments in diet and retraining of these muscles with biofeedback is very effective for treatment.
I have pain with bowel movements, and often I sit for 10-15 minutes and can't go. Can Pelvic Pt help with this?
Absolutely, a Pelvic PT can address bowel dysfunctions including dyssynergic defecation, constipation, fecal incontinence. A Pelvic PT will provide education and adjustments to dieting habits to normalize bowels. Habitual straining can increase stress on the pelvic floor and risk causing pelvic organ prolapse.
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Pregnancy Related
I have bulging around my tummy after having kids, can you treat this?
Separation of abdominal muscles occurs with pregnancy, this is normal! However, for some women, the muscles do not return back on their own (it's called Diastasis Recti). Pelvic PT can help you retrain these muscles to decrease the separation and improve your strength and stability.
I am pregnant and experiencing a lot of low back pain, what should I do?
Hormones released into the body during pregnancy allow the ligaments (which provide stability) to relax to prepare your body for delivery. This laxity can cause pain in the low back or SI joint. PT can help train the surrounding muscles to provide the stability you need.
I had tearing during delivery of my baby, now sex is painful, will this go away?
Tearing of tissue leads to scaring which decreases the flexibility of the muscles. If your tearing was grade 2 or more, you may want to see a PT to aid in the healing process.
I feel "loose" down there, what can be done?
Our pelvic floor provides support for our organs, increased pressure during pregnancy can cause these muscles to stretch, which may make you feel loose. Retraining these muscles with Kegels and biofeedback will help return the muscles to their normal length.
I am leaking urine when I cough or sneeze, is this normal?
Leakage is common during pregnancy and post-partum, because the increased pressure on the muscles can cause weakness, and weak pelvic floor muscles can't do their job (sphincter control) right. Retraining of these muscles with a pelvic PT and biofeedback is very effective for treatment.
I had a c-section, How can pelvic PT Help Me?
Women who had delievery through C-Section can still have pelvic muscle weakness due to increased pressure on the muscles. C-section scars can bind down to deeper structures which can affect your mobility as well as influence bladder functioning. We will teach you how to manage your scar, strengthen your core and pelvic floor as well.
My doctor says my organs have dropped, what does this mean? Can Pelvic PT help?
Our pelvic floor provides support for our organs, increased pressure during pregnancy can cause these muscles to stretch, so they are no longer providing the support needed to keep organs where they should be! "Pelvic Organ Prolapse" is the term for this concern. Retraining these muscles with Kegels and biofeedback will help the muscles support your organs better.
Children's Concerns
What Pediatric Pelvic conditions can be addressed with Pelvic PT?
Common bowel and bladder conditions that pelvic floor physical therapy can help treat include:
•Urinary incontinence (pee accidents)•Urinary urgency or frequency (constant or strong need to pee, peeing more often than usual) •Enuresis (Bed wetting) •Voiding Dysfunction (hard to get poop out) •Bowel incontinence (poop accidents) •Pelvic Pain What happens if I ignore my child's pelvic issues?
Children that do not have control of their bowel and bladder function by age five, serious medical, mental health and social problems can occur. These problems can greatly impact the quality of life for your child and your whole family.
What Causes these "issues"?
A wide range of problems can occur when the pelvic floor muscles are weak, in spasm or just too tight. In addition, tissue surrounding the pelvic floor organs may have increased sensitivity and irritation or decreased sensitivity, causing further bowel and bladder issues.
my 3 year old is having accidents, does she need PT?
Some children take longer than others developmentally or emotionally. Normally developing children should see a Pelvic PT if they are still having concerns at age 5.
What should we expect for my child's first visit?
Your child's evaluation will include an assessment of mobility and strength, pelvic muscle evaluation, and biofeedback training. Providers use child friendly terms to help the child understand body functioning. A parent must be present for evaluation and all subsequent treatment for patients under 18
How exactly do they help my child learn how to use their pelvic muscles?
Sessions include biofeedback training. This tool picks up muscle activation and allows the child to "visualize" muscle activity on a computer screen (we call it playing video games with the muscles.) Biofeedback makes sessions more fun, and helps the child to better understand how to train the muscles.
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