Pelvic floor therapy is finally getting the hype it deserves! However, there are still a lot of questions out there to understand pelvic floor therapy and how it can benefit each individual. One of these questions is occupational therapy’s role in pelvic floor therapy.

Pelvic floor occupational therapy has been around for a long time; however, it is not as familiar as pelvic floor physical therapy.

In this blog, I will explain what you need to know about women’s pelvic floor occupational therapy so you can feel informed and empowered to decide if contacting a pelvic floor therapist is the right choice for you!

Afterward, if you’re still unsure, I welcome you to contact me and ask any further questions you may have!

In this blog, I’ll answer the following questions:

What is pelvic floor occupational therapy?

Many people often refer to pelvic floor physical therapy. So, I’ll start by describing occupational therapy (OT) and then discuss how it relates to pelvic floor therapy.

Occupational therapy focuses on health, well-being, and quality of life, utilizing treatments and solutions that allow clients to live their everyday lives. Occupational therapists (OTs) examine what impacts your participation and performance in your daily occupations.

Occupations are any activity you do throughout the day. These occupations include getting ready for the day, caring for loved ones/pets, going to the bathroom, driving, making dinner, sleeping, and more.

Depending on what is impacting your daily occupations, occupational therapists will focus on treatments that reduce pain, improve mental health, and increase movement, strength, coordination, and many other factors — prioritizing a whole-person approach.

OK, so what does this mean for pelvic floor occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists are unique in that our scope of practice includes occupations such as toileting, bowel & bladder habits, intimacy, and pleasure. What is more related to pelvic floor therapy than that!?

Pelvic floor occupational therapists also focus on your physical, mental, and emotional health. We want to know how pelvic floor dysfunction impacts your participation and performance in daily activities.

For example, maybe you are having difficulty going to the bathroom (perhaps you have chronic constipation). There are physical symptoms related to your pelvic floor muscles and organs that a pelvic floor therapist would address. Further, OTs will also ask how this impacts your social participation, emotional well-being, and mental health.

Suppose you are leaking urine every time you try to play with your kid, stand up, or exercise. In that case, it is likely very frustrating, depressing, and/or causes anxiety around those activities. Furthermore, and worse, it could cause you to stop wanting to participate in them altogether. That’s where a pelvic floor occupational therapist can work with you to address your pelvic floor dysfunction and get you back to enjoying your daily activities without pelvic floor worries!

All I hear about is pelvic floor physical therapy. So why see a pelvic floor occupational therapist?

Great question! The truth is that both disciplines are uniquely qualified to treat individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction. You’ll benefit from either type of practitioner, so you can’t go wrong. The most important thing is to find one that you feel comfortable with!

What I can say about pelvic floor occupational therapy is that we use a bio-psycho-social approach to care. We look at your physical functioning and how that impacts your mental health, social participation, and all other aspects of your life.

We look at what motivates you and discuss what will realistically fit into your life regarding specific treatments, tailoring them to your individual needs and lifestyle.

We’re not just focused on symptom management, though necessary, but ensuring that you, as an entire being, are addressed in the therapeutic process.

Now that we understand pelvic floor occupational therapy a bit more, let’s discuss what the pelvic floor is!

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is often referred to as a hammock of 14 muscles (yes, there are 14!) that make up three layers sitting at the bottom of your pelvis.

This area also has organs, blood vessels, nerves, and bony structures.

What does the pelvic floor do?

The pelvic floor has 5 functions (The 5 S’s):

Stability
Support
Sphincteric
Sump-Pump
Sexual

Let’s talk about each one a little more.

Stability
- The pelvic floor helps to stabilize your trunk, pelvis, and hips. It aids in posture.
Support
- The pelvic floor supports our internal pelvic and abdominal organs.
Sphincteric
- The pelvic floor helps ensure that our sphincters (or the openings in our pelvic region — anal and urethral) are closed until we need them to open and void our bladder and bowels. We have control over the external sphincters.
Sump-Pump
- The pelvic floor helps circulate blood and lymphatic fluid throughout our bodies.
Sexual
- A healthy pelvic floor is a crucial part of optimal sexual function.

What all this means, then, is that a healthy pelvic floor allows us to:

Do what we need to do to go out with our friends, care for children or loved ones, care for pets, and live every day without worry of leaking! Especially when we are coughing, laughing, sneezing, running, kicking, jumping, lifting, lunging, dancing, and so much more!
Stabilize our core to brace our muscles and protect ourselves from injury while lifting weights, lifting babies, carrying pets, or groceries.
Enjoy pain-free pleasure and intercourse!
Breathe! Our pelvic floor is a significant component of our breathing throughout our daily activities.
Move our bodies without pain, discomfort, or pressure within our pelvic area.

Pelvic floor therapy addresses these areas and their impact on life. The overall goal is to decrease pain and dysfunction so you can go about your day without worries about your pelvic floor function.

Our pelvic floors are not isolated from the rest of our body; they work together with other parts. This means the pelvic floor might not always be the leading cause of pelvic floor dysfunction and why a whole-body approach is necessary to find and treat the cause of your pelvic floor dysfunction.

A pelvic floor occupational therapist will assess your pelvic floor function and overall movement to understand your individual needs. Keep reading to find out more!

What makes an occupational therapist a pelvic health occupational therapist?

Circling back for a minute, now that we know more about the pelvic floor, let’s discuss what makes a pelvic health occupational therapist.

Occupational therapists come out of school as general practitioners, meaning we receive an education that teaches us to treat various conditions across many settings. To become a pelvic health occupational therapist, a specialty field, OTs must take coursework to enhance their knowledge and skills in this specific area.

Some companies where I received further education and training on internal and external pelvic floor assessment, pelvic floor anatomy and function, and specific OT-related knowledge, training, and mentorship on pelvic floor therapy include:

I’ve also taken continuing education courses and attended conferences and trainings through the national and state occupational therapy associations. I’m a member of both to stay current on research and evidence-based practice.

What you want to look for with a pelvic floor therapist is the education and training they’ve received to ensure they have practiced internal and external pelvic health skills to evaluate and treat pelvic floor dysfunction.

Who is pelvic floor therapy for?

Pelvic floor therapy is for everyone! Truly.

Are you experiencing menstrual pain that impacts your day-to-day life?

Are you experiencing a feeling of heaviness in your pelvic area that bothers you throughout the day, maybe even more at night?

Do you have pain with intercourse, penetration, and/or tampon insertion?

Do you leak urine when you laugh/cough/sneeze or have the urge to go to the bathroom and cannot hold it?

Are you experiencing difficulty having a bowel movement (chronic constipation)? Have alternating habits between constipation and diarrhea? Do you have pain or discomfort in your abdomen/pelvic/GI area?

Are you pregnant and experiencing pelvic, low back, or hip pain? Are you pregnant and want to learn more about pelvic floor function and birth prep?

Are you postpartum and have separation in your abdominal wall? Want to feel better in your body following birth and feel like you again? Do you have a cesarean scar or other scarring and want to ensure it is healing well?

Are you experiencing symptoms from peri-menopause or menopause? Are you in menopause, and changes in your body make you feel frustrated about aging as a woman? Are you experiencing vaginal dryness? Change in ability to orgasm? Pelvic pain?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, pelvic floor therapy could benefit you!

There are many reasons why pelvic floor therapy is recommended and beneficial, and it is always on an individual basis.

Please reach out for a free discovery call to find out if pelvic therapy is right for you. I would love to talk to you about your individual needs and answer your questions.

What are some common pelvic health concerns that benefit from pelvic floor therapy?

Many health concerns benefit from pelvic floor therapy. Here are some that I have seen:

Pelvic pain
Difficulty having a bowel movement or chronic constipation
Leaking stool or urine
Pain with sex/penetration
Vaginal/perineal tears
Scar tissue management (cesarean scars and other)
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal tightness
Vaginal wall laxity or weakness
Pain in hip, low back, tailbone
Uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles
Dysregulated nervous system
Vaginal and/or rectal pain
Injuries to the vagina or rectum through childbirth or other
Healing following vaginal or cesarean delivery
Healing following abortion or D&C procedure
Healing following trauma or assault

What diagnoses are treated in pelvic floor therapy?

Diagnoses are vast when it comes to pelvic floor therapy and can benefit. Diagnoses are commonly related to pelvic pain, pregnancy, birth, urinary and rectal disorders, menstrual health, perimenopause, menopause, and trauma.

If you do not see something that resonates with you in the list below, that does not mean pelvic floor therapy won’t benefit you! Book a discovery call if you have further questions.

Diagnoses that are treated in pelvic floor therapy may include:

Diastasis recti (separation of abdominal wall)
Chronic constipation
Dyssynergic defecation
Irritable bowel syndrome
Pelvic organ prolapse
Hernia
Urinary or fecal incontinence
Urinary frequency
Urinating at night (unless pregnant or over 65)
Urinary tract infections
Painful bladder syndrome/Interstitial cystitis
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Symptoms from perimenopause and menopause
Vulvodynia
Dysparunia
Healing after birth
Healing after surgery
Healing after trauma
Lichen Sclerosis
Dysmenorrhea
Pelvic floor dyssynergia
Pudendal Nerve Pain

What results can be expected from pelvic floor therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy results will depend on what pelvic floor concerns you are receiving services for.

My goal is always to get you feeling less pain, more in control of your body, and confident in moving your body without worrying about pelvic floor dysfunction. I also want you to feel empowered with information about your body and pelvic floor to advocate for the care you need and want, now and in the future.

How long is a typical treatment plan for pelvic floor dysfunction?

The length of treatment will vary for each person. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment planning when it comes to pelvic floor dysfunction.

I know a number is what you want to see! So, on average, individuals usually see results in about 6-8 visits that they are happy with.

I will continuously check in with you to see where you feel you are at with reaching your personal pelvic floor goals. You are the driver of the treatment plan. If you feel you’ve met your goals - perfect! We can stop or add new goals at any time.

I will never try to tell you that you need more or less than you are comfortable with. I’ll always be honest with you about the progress you’re making.

How to get started and find a pelvic floor therapist near you

If you are looking for a pelvic floor therapist in the Chicago area, I would love to help you reach your pelvic floor goals.

I am located in Roscoe Village, conveniently located near the Belmont CTA stop.

Rising Phoenix Pelvic Health & Wellness

1821 W Belmont Ave.

Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: 312-298-9872

Or contact me to book a discovery call, ask questions, and schedule an evaluation.

If you are not in the Chicago area, you can use the following links for a practitioner directory to help you find a pelvic floor therapist near you!

Rising Phoenix Pelvic Health & Wellness’ approach to pelvic health.

At Rising Phoenix PH&W, each session is tailored to each individual. You are in charge of every session from the discovery call to our last appointment. My top priority is your comfort and feeling in control. I’m here to guide you and make suggestions based on my clinical knowledge, understanding of your symptoms, and the impact these symptoms are having on your everyday life. But ultimately, you are the driver of what we focus on and how we focus on it, as you are the one who knows your body best. I always offer options, and you make the call about which feels best for you!

Not comfortable with an internal pelvic examination or treatment? No problem! We do not have to do that to work on your pelvic floor goals.

An internal exam should be an option, but it is never a must. Your ongoing consent is always mandatory if you have an internal exam. It can be stopped at any time, and additional treatment options are always available to continue working towards your goals!

How much does it cost to receive pelvic floor therapy services?

Rising Phoenix PH&W is a private pay pelvic health practice.

Evaluations are 90 minutes and $190; treatments are 60 minutes and $135.

I offer a birthing package; further pricing information is on this package page.

All sessions are 1:1 with a licensed and certified pelvic health therapist tailored to your needs. This allows us to tailor the care plan and frequency of sessions to you, not for reimbursement purposes or with an aide conducting half your session.

Payment options may include using your HSA or FSA cards to pay for pelvic health occupational therapy. Don’t forget to use the money you save!

I will also create a superbill for your services, allowing you to submit the claims to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Where can I learn more about pelvic floor therapy?

You can learn more about whether pelvic floor therapy is right for you by filling out this form for me to contact you or to booking a discovery call to discuss your pelvic floor questions and needs further.

I’d love to support you through your pelvic floor wellness journey!

Do I have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction? A Free Pelvic Floor Screening.

The Cozean Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Tool was developed by Nicole Cozean at Pelvic PT Rising.

Use this screen to find out if a pelvic floor therapist would be the best next step for you.

If you answer ‘yes’ to 3 or more questions, pelvic floor therapy could benefit you.

About Allison Richardson at Rising Phoenix Pelvic Health & Wellness

Rising Phoenix Pelvic Health & Wellness is founded by, me, Allison Richardson, OTD, OTR/L, PCES.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Winthrop University in 2009. I received my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2016 from Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

I have nearly nine years of experience as an occupational therapist and have taught in a Masters of Occupational Therapy program for five years. I have worked with adults and older adults in inpatient rehab, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, independent living, assisted living, and memory care, with experience in neurological, orthopedic, and mental health conditions.

I started learning more about pelvic floor therapy and women’s health two years ago. Within my years of experience, I saw how pelvic floor dysfunction impacted all aspects of a person’s life - social participation, emotional well-being, and mental health - and wanted to be able to do more to help.

Women do not have it easy when it comes to healthcare, and I wanted to open a practice where women feel heard, empowered, seen, and believed about what is happening to their bodies. I also wanted to create a space where women have control over their care—a safe place to discuss what is often dismissed.

At Rising Phoenix Pelvic Health & Wellness, women take back control of their bodies, feel empowered to speak up about their pelvic floor dysfunction and have a safe space to express their true selves and feelings openly.

I hope you’ll join me in this journey of transformation and empowerment through pelvic floor therapy!

Book a Discovery Call Today

Pelvic Floor Occupational Therapy: Everything You Need to Know