Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy to address pregnancy, post-partum and pelvic pain
Physical therapists are licensed clinicians trained to evaluate and treat neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. Pelvic health is a specialty area in physical therapy which addresses pregnancy, post-partum and pelvic pain.
Here at Hennepin Healthcare, we have physical therapists that have been certified in various specialties including obstetrics and pelvic health through the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Women’s Health.
Obstetric Conditions
Obstetric conditions that our obstetrics-certified physical therapists can evaluate and treat include:
- Prenatal musculoskeletal dysfunction
- Labor & delivery positioning for orthopedic conditions
- Postnatal musculoskeletal dysfunction
- Incontinence
- Breastfeeding Support includes:
- Positioning
- Postural education
- Blocked duct/mastitis management
Certified Physical Therapists
Pelvic health conditions that our pelvic health certified physical therapists evaluate and treat include:
- Painful bladder syndrome such as interstitial cystitis
- Urethral syndrome
- Pudendal neuralgia: neuropathy, neuralgia, entrapment
- Vaginismus
- Vulvodynia
- Vestibulodynia
- Dysperinea
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Myofascial-connective tissue
- Osteo/joint
- Musculoskeletal-degenerative disc disease
- Gastrointestinal
- Gynecological
- Voiding Issues:
- Incontinent bladder
- Stress incontinence
- Urge incontinence
- Mixed incontinence
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Constipation
- Incontinent bladder
What to expect
- Once a referral to physical therapy is received from you or your health care provider, you will be scheduled for a one-hour evaluation with one of our highly trained physical therapists.
- Based on the evaluation, a detailed and specific plan of care is established including treatment, home program, frequency, and duration of appointments.
What are some common obstetrics and pelvic health treatments?
Sessions include some or all of the following:
Exercise therapy: strengthening to improve core activation during pregnancy and post-partum, stretching to decrease pain associated with postural changes during pregnancy, and restoring strength to pelvic floor muscles and core.
Positioning/body mechanics: includes labor & delivery strategies, comfort positions, instruction in functional neutral in pregnancy, and breastfeeding positions.
Manual therapy includes a variety of hands-on techniques to improve pelvic alignment, spinal function, and pelvic pain, and reduce muscle tension on the pelvic floor.
Skincare: includes scar mobilizations following caesarian sections, hysterectomies, prostate surgery, or urologic surgeries.
Biofeedback training: a tool used so clients can learn how to isolate pelvic floor muscles to strengthen them to help restore continence and support pelvic organs. Biofeedback is also used for the relaxation of pelvic muscles for those clients with pelvic pain issues. Biofeedback training is also beneficial for clients who have poor coordination of pelvic muscles aiding in the treatment of constipation and other voiding issues.
Supportive belt/brace: includes evaluation of posture and joint mechanics, during pregnancy and postpartum to determine the most appropriate device.
Therapeutic ultrasound: to treat blocked ducts and improve breast flow during breastfeeding.
Pelvic Health YouTube Videos
