IU Health Urogynecology
IU Health’s nationally recognized urogynecologists have special expertise to diagnose and treat common women’s bladder and bowel problems.
Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
Targeted, compassionate therapy to address bowel or bladder incontinence, pelvic pain or prolapse while improving your overall confidence and quality of life
Pelvic physical therapy can help if you experience bowel or bladder leakage, constipation, pelvic pain with daily activities or intercourse, or if you are pregnant, postpartum or recovering from abdominal surgery.
Pelvic health rehabilitation helps treat these and other conditions through exercises that strengthen and restore function to the muscles, nerves and joints of your pelvis, hips and lower back.
Do You Need Pelvic Health Rehabilitation?
Both men and women can benefit from pelvic health rehabilitation. Your doctor may refer you for pelvic health rehab if you’ve had any of the following symptoms:
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
- Pain in your pelvis, hips or lower back
- Prenatal or postpartum pain
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- More frequent and urgent urination
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Abdominal surgeries related to cancer, hysterectomy, prostate surgery or gender reassignment
During pelvic floor rehabilitation, a physical therapist works with you to improve the ability of your muscles, nerves and joints to support the organs and functions of your pelvic area. The goal of pelvic floor physical therapy is simply to help you return to daily life with less pain, better function and greater confidence.
What to Expect
Do You Need Pelvic Health Rehabilitation?
Both men and women can benefit from pelvic health rehabilitation. Your doctor may refer you for pelvic health rehab if you’ve had any of the following symptoms:
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
- Pain in your pelvis, hips or lower back
- Prenatal or postpartum pain
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- More frequent and urgent urination
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Abdominal surgeries related to cancer, hysterectomy, prostate surgery or gender reassignment
During pelvic floor rehabilitation, a physical therapist works with you to improve the ability of your muscles, nerves and joints to support the organs and functions of your pelvic area. The goal of pelvic floor physical therapy is simply to help you return to daily life with less pain, better function and greater confidence.
At your first visit, your physical therapist will evaluate the muscles and joints of your pelvic region. In some cases, an internal assessment may be recommended to better understand muscle function. Your comfort and privacy are always prioritized.
Based on this evaluation, your therapist will create a personalized treatment plan, which may include:
Therapeutic exercises
Targeted exercises to strengthen and stretch the pelvic floor, hips and lower back.
Hands-on therapy
Manual techniques to improve muscle coordination and relax tight or overactive muscles.
Posture and movement training
Guidance on body mechanics to support the pelvis and avoid painful movement patterns.
EMG biofeedback
Sensor-based technology that helps you see and learn how to properly activate your pelvic muscles.
Preparing for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
At your first visit, your physical therapist will evaluate the muscles and joints of your pelvic region. In some cases, an internal assessment may be recommended to better understand muscle function. Your comfort and privacy are always prioritized.
Based on this evaluation, your therapist will create a personalized treatment plan, which may include:
Therapeutic exercises
Targeted exercises to strengthen and stretch the pelvic floor, hips and lower back.
Hands-on therapy
Manual techniques to improve muscle coordination and relax tight or overactive muscles.
Posture and movement training
Guidance on body mechanics to support the pelvis and avoid painful movement patterns.
EMG biofeedback
Sensor-based technology that helps you see and learn how to properly activate your pelvic muscles.
Asking questions during your first visit and throughout your therapy can help you feel informed, confident and supported in your care. Consider discussing topics such as:
- How long can I expect treatment to last?
- Are there exercises I can safely do at home between visits?
- Should I modify or avoid certain activities while recovering?
- Are medications helpful for managing my symptoms alongside therapy?
- Would a referral to a specialist, such as a urogynecologist, be appropriate for me?
Your physical therapist is there to guide you, answer your concerns and help you get the most out of your rehabilitation.
Questions to Ask Your Provider About Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
Asking questions during your first visit and throughout your therapy can help you feel informed, confident and supported in your care. Consider discussing topics such as:
- How long can I expect treatment to last?
- Are there exercises I can safely do at home between visits?
- Should I modify or avoid certain activities while recovering?
- Are medications helpful for managing my symptoms alongside therapy?
- Would a referral to a specialist, such as a urogynecologist, be appropriate for me?
Your physical therapist is there to guide you, answer your concerns and help you get the most out of your rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
What should I wear to pelvic floor therapy?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely during your assessment and treatment.
How long does pelvic floor therapy take to work?
Many people notice improvement within 4–6 weeks, with continued progress over the following months depending on consistency and individual needs.
Can you do pelvic floor therapy while pregnant?
Yes. Pelvic therapy can help support your changing body, reduce discomfort and prepare for childbirth and recovery.
Can you do pelvic floor therapy on your period?
Yes. Menstruation does not affect therapy and may help your therapist better understand certain symptoms.
Can pelvic floor therapy help with endometriosis?
Yes. While it does not cure endometriosis, therapy can help reduce pelvic pain, painful periods, bowel or bladder issues, and pain with intercourse.
Is pelvic floor therapy helpful for men?
Yes. Men commonly benefit from pelvic therapy for conditions such as pelvic pain, urinary or bowel issues, prostate‑related concerns and post‑surgical recovery.
Can pelvic floor therapy help after surgery?
Yes. Pelvic health rehabilitation is often part of recovery after abdominal, pelvic or prostate surgery and can help restore strength, function and comfort.
Do I need a referral for pelvic floor therapy?
No. Like other physical therapy, you can receive care for up to 42 days without a referral. At that point, if symptoms persist, your PT will recommend reaching out to a primary care physician for continued care.
National Vulvodynia Association
Dedicated to improving the health of those suffering from chronic vulvar pain, through education, research, support and advocacy.
Interstitial Cystitis Network
Provides education and support for patients suffering from interstitial cystitis, bladder problems and pelvic pain.
International Pelvic Pain Society
Provides information for patients and caregivers for diagnosing and managing chronic pelvic pain.
Resources
IU Health Urogynecology
IU Health’s nationally recognized urogynecologists have special expertise to diagnose and treat common women’s bladder and bowel problems.
National Vulvodynia Association
Dedicated to improving the health of those suffering from chronic vulvar pain, through education, research, support and advocacy.
Interstitial Cystitis Network
Provides education and support for patients suffering from interstitial cystitis, bladder problems and pelvic pain.
International Pelvic Pain Society
Provides information for patients and caregivers for diagnosing and managing chronic pelvic pain.