Life’s most significant events, from pregnancy and childbirth to hormonal changes and aging, can deeply impact the body’s core foundation: the pelvic floor. At Union Physical Therapy, we understand that issues like pelvic pain, incontinence, and postpartum discomfort are not just physical ailments—they affect your confidence, your comfort, and your ability to live a full and active Seattle life. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy provide expert, compassionate, and personalized pelvic health physical therapy in a private and supportive environment, helping you regain control and return to the activities you love.
We welcome any person experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, regardless of how they identify, and are committed to providing inclusive and non-judgmental care.
Conditions We Treat: Finding the Root of Your Discomfort
The pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and fascia that supports your pelvic organs, assists in bladder and bowel control, and plays a role in sexual function. When these muscles become too tight, too weak, or uncoordinated, it can lead to a variety of issues. Our specialized therapists are trained to treat a wide range of pelvic health conditions, including:
- Pelvic Pain: This includes conditions like painful intercourse (dyspareunia), tailbone pain (coccydynia), and chronic pelvic pain that can stem from a variety of causes, including endometriosis or interstitial cystitis.
- Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction: We address urinary and fecal incontinence (leakage), urinary urgency and frequency, and chronic constipation—issues often caused by improper pelvic floor muscle coordination.
- Pregnancy and Postpartum Care: The body undergoes immense changes during pregnancy and after delivery. We help manage low back, pelvic girdle, and hip pain, and treat postpartum conditions like diastasis recti (abdominal separation), C-section and perineal scar tissue, and pelvic organ prolapse. Early intervention during pregnancy can significantly minimize long-term effects.
- Post-Surgical Recovery: We assist with recovery from gynecological or abdominal surgeries by addressing scar tissue, restoring core strength, and improving overall function.
The Union PT Approach: A Holistic Path to Healing
True healing requires looking at the whole picture. Your first visit will involve a comprehensive evaluation where your therapist will listen to your history, discuss your symptoms, and assess your posture, strength, and movement patterns. This may include a gentle external and internal examination to assess the pelvic floor muscles directly, which is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
Based on this evaluation, we will create a personalized treatment plan that may include:
- Manual Therapy: Using hands-on techniques to gently release tight muscles, mobilize stiff joints in the pelvis and lower back, and improve tissue mobility.
- Pelvic Floor Dry Needling: For persistent pain and muscle tightness, we offer specialized dry needling. This technique involves inserting a very thin filiform needle into muscular trigger points—tense, painful knots in the muscle. This process can release the trigger point, reduce pain, improve blood flow, and restore normal muscle function. It is particularly effective for chronic pelvic pain, deep muscle spasms, and conditions where superficial muscles restrict access to the deeper pelvic floor.
- Therapeutic Exercise: We’ll guide you through specific exercises to either strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles or relax tense ones. This goes beyond simple Kegels to include targeted movements that retrain muscle coordination.
- Biofeedback: This technique uses sensors to help you learn how to properly contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles, improving the mind-body connection.
- Patient Education: The most important part of your recovery is understanding your body. We will empower you with knowledge about your condition, proper body mechanics for daily activities, and strategies to prevent future issues.
What to Expect on Your Journey to Recovery
Pelvic health physical therapy is a collaborative process, and your comfort is our top priority. Our goal is to create a safe space where you feel heard and respected.
- Your First Visit: Expect a one-on-one session in a private treatment room where we will conduct a thorough assessment and discuss your goals.
- Treatment Sessions: Subsequent visits will focus on implementing your personalized treatment plan, including manual therapy, dry needling, and targeted exercises.
- Empowerment: You will leave each session with a clear understanding of your condition and a home exercise program to continue your progress.
Begin Your Recovery in Seattle Today
If you’re ready to address your pelvic health concerns and get back to living comfortably and confidently, schedule your appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Health PT
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies for each person depending on their condition and goals. Most patients start to see significant improvement within 6-8 sessions. We will discuss your expected timeline at your initial evaluation.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
Washington is a direct access state, which means you do not need a physician’s referral to see a physical therapist. However, your insurance plan may have its own requirements.
What does pelvic floor dry needling feel like?
You may feel a brief muscle twitch or a dull ache when the needle is inserted into a trigger point, which is a sign that the muscle is releasing. The sensation is temporary, and most patients find the long-term relief far outweighs the momentary discomfort.
Is pelvic floor physical therapy painful?
No, it should not be. While some techniques may involve gentle pressure or stretching, your therapist will always work within your comfort level and communicate with you throughout the session.
What Our Patients Are Saying
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5 Things Pelvic Health Physical Therapists Want You to Know About Your Postpartum Body 1. Being pregnant puts a lot of stress on the pelvic floor whether you have a vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery. The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscles that sits at the bottom of the pelvis. The pelvic floor plays […]