A little leak when you sneeze. A heavy, dragging feeling by the end of the day. A tummy that still doesn't feel like yours months after birth. These are some of the most common things people quietly put up with, and some of the most treatable.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy that looks after the muscles supporting your bladder, bowel, uterus and core. It is now available at Dolphin Dive Baby Spa & Wellness in London, Ontario, with Shikha Basiya, a Registered Physiotherapist rostered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario for internal pelvic assessment.
This guide covers what pelvic floor physio can help with, what actually happens at a first visit, and how to book. No referral needed.
What is the pelvic floor?
Your pelvic floor is a hammock of muscles at the base of your pelvis. It holds your bladder, bowel and (if you have one) uterus in place, helps you stay dry when you cough or jump, supports your spine and core, and plays a part in sexual function.
Like any muscle group, it can become weak, overly tight, or poorly coordinated. Pregnancy and birth are big ones, but so are heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation, high-impact sport, menopause and some surgeries. Everyone has a pelvic floor, which is why pelvic health physiotherapy is for all genders.
What pelvic floor physiotherapy can help with
A pelvic health physiotherapist assesses how these muscles are working and builds a plan to help them work better. Common reasons people come in:
Leaking after birth is common, but common doesn't mean you have to live with it. And if something just feels "off" down there, that is a perfectly good reason to get it checked.
Pregnancy and postpartum: when to go
A visit in pregnancy can help with back, hip and pelvic girdle pain, teach you how to relax and use your pelvic floor, and help you prepare your body for birth and recovery.
After birthMany people book around six weeks postpartum, once their doctor or midwife has cleared them. But there is no expiry date. Whether your baby is six weeks or six years old, an assessment can still help with leaking, heaviness, abdominal separation or getting back to running and lifting with confidence.
What happens at your first visit
Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Visits take place in a private treatment room, at your pace.
Bring the baby
Finding childcare is one of the biggest reasons new parents skip their own appointments. At Dolphin Dive your little one is welcome to come along, and you are already in a place built for babies, with change tables, free parking at ActivityPlex and staff who are used to an unexpected feed or nap.
Meet Shikha
Good to know
Do I need a referral? No. In Ontario you can see a physiotherapist directly. Some insurance plans ask for a doctor's note for reimbursement, so check your plan.
Is it covered by insurance? Most extended health plans that include physiotherapy cover pelvic floor physiotherapy, because it is performed by a Registered Physiotherapist. We provide insurance-ready receipts with Shikha's registration number.
Is it only for women? No. Pelvic health affects everyone, including men recovering from prostate surgery or living with pelvic pain.
Is there tax? No. Physiotherapy is HST-exempt, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Can I cancel? Yes. Please give at least 24 hours' notice through your confirmation email or by calling us.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have new or worsening symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider.
Everything about the service, prices and booking is on our pelvic floor physiotherapy page. For injuries, mobility and baby and child physio, see physiotherapy. Recovering after birth? Pair your visit with a postnatal massage, or bring feeding questions to our free feeding clinic.
Dhara Upadhyay
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