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What is a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist?

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Physical therapists treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system that cause pain and decrease urinary, digestive, and/or sexual function and mobility. Pelvic health physical therapists are specially trained to evaluate and treat patients with dysfunction in the tissues and structures within the floor of the pelvis. This may be related to joint malalignment or inflammation, scar tissue restrictions, muscle spasm or weakness, nerve entrapment, or connective tissue restrictions.

The evaluation will start with a review of your medical history, and with questions about bladder and bowel habits, sexual function, diet, functional mobility and work activities. Your therapist will then assess posture and alignment, joint mobility, and core strength. To evaluate the function of the muscles of the pelvic floor, an internal muscle and tissue assessment is performed. This is performed either rectally or vaginally, as well as externally via surface electromyography.

Your therapist will evaluate the pelvic floor for weakness, tissue restrictions, spasm, pain or altered sensation. At the end of your session, your therapist will explain all treatment procedures and discuss your plan of care. You may choose to participate in all or part of the treatment plan. In most cases, your therapist will give you an assignment to work on at home to address the treatment goals that you set.

Your therapist will discuss treatment frequency with you on your first visit. Patients are scheduled as often as twice per week, while others attend weekly, biweekly, or monthly sessions. This depends on what your treatment entails, as well as what works for you. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances include coverage for physical therapy services. This coverage may vary. At Ochsner Therapy and Wellness, you will have your therapy coverage verified prior to the first visit.

Ochsner Therapy and Wellness has several locations offering Pelvic Health Physical Therapy in the Eastbank, Westbank, Northshore, and River Parish areas. A physician’s referral is required to schedule an appointment.

Learn more about Ochsner Therapy and Wellness by calling 504-842-4348.

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