If you’ve been recommended pelvic physical therapy, you may have heard about the importance of internal exams. While this aspect of care can be beneficial, it’s essential to understand that it’s always your decision whether or not to proceed with internal work. In this article, we will explore the significance of internal assessments and treatments, and why they play a crucial role in your recovery.
Exploring the Role of Internal Exams
During your pelvic physical therapy sessions, internal assessments are performed to provide valuable insights for your rehabilitation plan. Our highly trained therapists, who hold doctorates in physical therapy and have undergone extensive training and certifications in pelvic floor issues and treatment, are equipped to perform these assessments.
It’s important to note that internal exams differ from routine gynecological exams. Rather than being a passive participant, we prioritize your active involvement throughout the process. We communicate with you to ensure you understand the purpose of the exam, the procedures involved, and how you may feel during the process. We value your feedback and communication, and at any point, you have the autonomy to terminate the exam.
The Significance of Internal Exams
The pelvic floor muscles and nerves are interconnected with your pelvic bones, extending towards your tailbone. Through vaginal or rectal palpation, we can assess if these muscles are functioning optimally. We pay attention to the contraction and relaxation patterns that should align with your breath and movements. By evaluating the thickness, tenderness, and recreating your symptoms, we gather essential details to inform our recommended treatments.
In addition to assessing the pelvic floor muscles, internal exams also allow us to establish the connections between the pelvic floor, spine, and hips. This holistic evaluation helps us determine if any underlying issues in these areas contribute to your spine or hip symptoms.
Understanding Internal Treatments
Many individuals experience issues with their pelvic floor function, often characterized by tense muscles. Similar to clenching your fists for an extended period, tight pelvic floor muscles can impede blood flow and lead to pain, leakage, prolapse, and nerve injuries. These tense muscles can also arise as a protective response to injury, back pain, or hip tension.
To address these concerns, we employ various strategies to relax the muscles and restore healthy function. Internal treatments aim to alleviate tension and facilitate proper movement of the pelvic floor muscles with your breath. Our goal is for you to experience a resolution of your symptoms during these sessions.
We ensure that you leave each session with a clear understanding of the purpose of the treatment and the plan going forward. Your therapist will communicate the effectiveness of the session and outline the steps for follow-up monitoring. Within 2-3 sessions, you should notice improvements, allowing us to gauge the efficacy of the internal treatments. We employ a similar evaluation process for any treatment we believe will be beneficial for you.
Overcoming Apprehension: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
If you have concerns about undergoing internal treatments during pelvic floor physical therapy, rest assured that we prioritize your comfort and well-being. We always engage in open discussions to address your needs. If internal treatment is not the right fit for you, we will develop an alternative plan to support your healing journey. Our primary aim is to assist you in reclaiming your quality of life.
Unsure if Pelvic Floor Therapy is Right for You?
If you’re still uncertain about whether pelvic floor therapy is the right choice for you, we invite you to schedule a 30-minute consultation with one of our expert therapists. During this session, we will listen to your story and provide you with our best advice for your path to healing.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. We are here to support you every step of the way.
