You finally scheduled your first visit for pelvic PT and now you are frantically thinking:
How can someone help with this issue?!?
Here is what to expect at your first visit with me.
Evaluation Day
- Complete paper work including:
- Previous medical history
- Bowel/bladder/sexual health
- Informed Consent Form
- Introduction between practitioner and patient
- Questions specific to completed paper work
- Explanation of pelvic floor muscle anatomy and function with visuals such as pelvic model, charts, etc.
Next, verbal consent for a pelvic floor muscle assessment will be asked.
* Comfortability is a core value at FemCore PT. If you are hesitant on completing an internal assessment we can complete it at a future appointment or create a treatment plan with NO internal portion.*
Dr. G, what is a pelvic floor muscle assessment?
It is a two component vaginal or rectal (depends on your diagnosis) assessment of your muscles.
EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
I will assess your current skin condition, ask you to perform a kegel (contract and relax muscles), and I will apply gentle pressure to your external muscles to test for pain and muscle tension.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Checking your ability to contract and relax and determining the muscle's power, endurance, and ability to perform multiple repetitions. Also, applying gentle pressure to the layers of the pelvic floor muscles (yes, it is not just one muscle.. There are LAYERS!) to assess for tone and any pain.
*I will always tell my patients, “If you are uncomfortable at any moment, we can stop. You are in charge and I want you to talk me through what you are feeling.” Your provider should make you feel at ease about an assessment*
After, I will examine the body as a whole. This will include:
- Movement analysis
- Strength and Flexibility
- Goals
- Plan of care
- Questions and answers
- Education!
“Knowledge is Power, Power provides Information; Information leads to Education, Education breeds Wisdom; Wisdom is Liberation. People are not liberated because of lack of knowledge.”
- Israelmore Ayivor
I hope this answered your question and made you feel more excited to see a pelvic PT.
We address conditions that are very intimate and it is crucial to your healing process to feel confident in your provider of choice.
Leave a comment below on why you are happy you made an appointment!