Improve Pelvic Health. Restore Function. Feel More Confident.

Pelvic floor problems can affect bladder and bowel control, pelvic comfort, physical activity, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, sexual function and everyday quality of life. At Sterling Physiotherapy & Wellness, we provide individualized pelvic floor physiotherapy in Calgary to help assess and manage pelvic health concerns in a respectful, private and supportive environment.

Pelvic health physiotherapy focuses on the muscles, connective tissues, joints and movement patterns associated with the pelvis and pelvic floor. Treatment is not limited to strengthening. Depending on your symptoms and assessment findings, rehabilitation may focus on pelvic floor strength, relaxation, coordination, mobility, breathing, core function, bladder or bowel habits and functional movement.

Your treatment plan is tailored to your symptoms, health history, activity level and goals. Whether you are experiencing urinary leakage, pelvic pain, pelvic floor tension, pregnancy-related discomfort, postpartum changes or other pelvic health concerns, your physiotherapist can help you understand the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop an individualized rehabilitation plan.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy focused on conditions affecting the pelvic floor and related structures.

The pelvic floor muscles contribute to bladder and bowel control, support pelvic organs and work together with the abdominal and other muscles involved in movement and stability. Healthy pelvic floor function requires more than strength—the muscles also need to coordinate appropriately and relax when required.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may therefore involve strengthening, relaxation, coordination, mobility, breathing strategies, education and functional exercises depending on the individual’s presentation.

What Can Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Help With?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help manage a range of pelvic health concerns, including:

• Urinary leakage or incontinence
• Urinary urgency and frequency
• Difficulty controlling bowel movements or gas
• Constipation and difficulty with bowel emptying
• Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic floor muscle tension or overactivity
• Pain associated with sexual activity
• Pregnancy-related pelvic and musculoskeletal discomfort
• Postpartum pelvic floor concerns
• Recovery following childbirth
• Pelvic floor weakness
• Difficulty coordinating pelvic floor muscles
• Functional problems affecting exercise or daily activities

Pelvic health physiotherapy services commonly assess and treat both underactive and overactive pelvic floor muscles, as well as bladder, bowel, pelvic pain and pregnancy-related concerns.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Women

Pelvic floor concerns can occur at different stages of life and may change with pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes, aging, physical activity or other health conditions.

Physiotherapy may help women experiencing:

• Urinary leakage with coughing, sneezing, lifting or exercise
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Pelvic heaviness or pressure
• Pelvic pain
• Pain with intercourse
• Pregnancy-related pelvic or back discomfort
• Postpartum pelvic floor symptoms
• Changes following childbirth
• Difficulty returning to exercise after pregnancy

Pelvic floor muscle training can be effective for appropriate urinary incontinence presentations, but the exercise program should be tailored to the individual’s symptoms and pelvic floor function.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Men

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also address pelvic health concerns in men.

Depending on the individual’s presentation, rehabilitation may be relevant for:

• Urinary leakage
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic floor muscle tension
• Bowel control concerns
• Recovery following prostate or pelvic surgery
• Difficulty coordinating pelvic floor muscles
• Functional limitations associated with pelvic health

Treatment is individualized and may involve pelvic floor strengthening, relaxation, coordination, breathing, mobility and functional exercises where appropriate.

Pelvic Health During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can place additional physical demands on the pelvis, pelvic floor and surrounding muscles.

Physiotherapy may help address appropriate pregnancy-related concerns such as:

• Pelvic girdle discomfort
• Lower back and pelvic pain
• Changes in movement and posture
• Pelvic floor muscle concerns
• Bladder symptoms
• Preparation for physical demands associated with childbirth
• Maintaining appropriate physical activity

Treatment during pregnancy is adapted to the stage of pregnancy, symptoms, medical considerations and individual goals.

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

The physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth can affect pelvic floor muscles and other tissues around the pelvis.

Postpartum physiotherapy may help address:

• Urinary leakage
• Pelvic heaviness or pressure
• Pelvic pain
• Abdominal and pelvic weakness
• Difficulty returning to exercise
• Changes in pelvic floor muscle function
• Musculoskeletal discomfort following pregnancy or childbirth
• Recovery of strength and functional movement

Your rehabilitation program can be progressed gradually according to your recovery and individual goals.