What is pelvic floor physical therapy? (And why it matters for every body)
Key Takeaways:
Pelvic floor PT helps people of all genders and ages with bladder, bowel, sexual health, pain, and overall wellness.
It’s not just for postpartum moms or aging folks — we support every life stage, from pediatric to adolescence through menopause to post-surgical care.
Research shows that pelvic floor therapy is one of the most effective first-line treatments for pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and postmenopausal symptoms — with lasting improvements in quality of life.
If you’ve ever leaked a little when you laughed, winced during intimacy, or felt a heaviness in your pelvis you can’t explain, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to live with it. Millions of people quietly struggle with pelvic floor issues every day, often thinking it’s just “part of getting older,” “part of being a mom,” or something they have to put up with.
But here’s the truth: if you have a pelvis, you have a pelvic floor — and it plays a huge role in how you move, feel, and function. And when it isn’t working well, it can affect everything from your bladder and bowel control to your sex life to your ability to sit, run, or simply feel comfortable in your body.
That’s where pelvic floor physical therapy comes in.
What is the pelvic floor (and why does it matter)?
Your pelvic floor is a powerhouse you rarely think about — until it stops working the way it should. It’s a remarkable and complex network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that sit at the base of your pelvis like a hammock, holding up your bladder, rectum, and (for many) uterus or prostate.
These muscles are responsible for far more than most people realize. They control bladder and bowel function, allowing you to maintain continence and healthy elimination. They play a key role in sexual health, supporting arousal, orgasm, erectile function, and pain-free intimacy.
The pelvic floor also works hand-in-hand with your diaphragm and abdominal muscles to stabilize the spine and pelvis, acting as an anchor for core strength and balance. It provides crucial structural support for your pelvic organs — including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum — keeping them lifted and functioning optimally.
Beyond that, your pelvic floor even contributes to circulation and immune health. Each time these muscles contract and relax, they help pump blood and lymphatic fluid through the pelvis, reducing congestion and promoting tissue health. For people living with pelvic pain or conditions like endometriosis, this natural drainage system can make a real difference in reducing inflammation and discomfort.
When the pelvic floor muscles become too tight, too weak, uncoordinated, or injured, the effects are felt widely. Because this area is so central to how we move and function, problems here can ripple out into multiple aspects of life — not just physical health, but also confidence, emotional well-being, intimacy, and overall quality of life.
Who benefits from pelvic floor PT?
The short answer: everyone with a pelvis.
New parents navigating postpartum recovery.
Women experiencing pelvic pain or menopause changes.
Men recovering from prostate surgery or dealing with chronic pelvic pain.
Older adults who want to maintain continence, balance, and confidence as they age.
Athletes looking to optimize core stability and prevent injury.
Anyone dealing with bladder, bowel, or sexual health concerns.
“As a man, I was nervous to seek out care from a pelvic floor PT because I didn’t know if it was available for men. I had been experiencing some intense testicular pain for years on and off that not only took my confidence away but interrupted my sports. I found myself biking less and stopped participating in any high-impact activities. I am so happy that I finally reached out. Pelvic floor PT is for men like me. It only took a handful of sessions, and I’m back to living my life as if nothing ever happened.” E.I
Recent studies show that:
75% of U.S. women ages 18–59 reported at least two pelvic health symptoms in the past year, yet only 14% received treatment.
2–4 per 1,000 men ages 18–64 are diagnosed annually with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
59% of men with CP/CPPS report sexual dysfunction. With erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation each affect 34–35% of patients.
That’s millions of people quietly struggling — often unnecessarily. Pelvic floor therapy changes that.
Common pelvic floor challenges (and how PT helps)
Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t look the same for everyone — and that’s part of why it’s often misunderstood or overlooked. For some, it shows up as occasional leaking when they laugh or exercise. For others, it’s persistent pelvic pain that impacts intimacy, daily activities, or even the ability to sit comfortably. It can stem from childbirth, surgery, hormonal changes, stress, or simply the natural process of aging.
The most common challenges that cause someone to seek out pelvic floor physical therapy includes:
Urinary incontinence leakage with coughing, sneezing, exercise, or urgency
Pelvic organ prolapse often described as a sensation of heaviness or bulging in the vagina or rectum
Pelvic pain including painful intercourse, vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, testicular or penile pain
Bowel dysfunction constipation, straining, incomplete emptying
Pregnancy & postpartum recovery birth prep, perineal care, diastasis recti, C-section recovery
Men’s health concerns erectile dysfunction, chronic prostatitis, post-prostatectomy recovery
Lifespan & aging changes menopause, andropause, loss of muscle support with aging
Post-surgical rehab abdominal, gynecological, or urological surgery recovery
What’s powerful about pelvic floor physical therapy is how adaptable it is. Whether the problem is muscle weakness, excessive tension, or poor coordination, therapy helps retrain these essential muscles, restore balance, and reconnect patients with a part of their body that many have learned to ignore.
And the results aren’t just anecdotal. A 2025 meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials found that pelvic floor physical therapy led to statistically significant gains across bladder, bowel, sexual, and psychological function — including reductions in anxiety and depression. This means pelvic PT doesn’t just resolve physical symptoms; it can help restore confidence, intimacy, and overall quality of life.
What to expect during physical therapy
A great pelvic floor therapist blends evidence-based techniques with a holistic, patient-centered approach. Each session is all about you: your symptoms, your story, and your goals. Your therapist will look at how you move, breathe, and use your core — not just your pelvic floor — to understand what’s really happening.
From there, treatment may involve hands-on manual therapy to release tightness and restore mobility, along with targeted exercises to help you strengthen, relax, or retrain the pelvic floor muscles as needed.
Breathwork and core integration are woven into the process to improve stability and whole-body awareness. Your therapist may also guide you through lifestyle and wellness strategies — including hydration, nutrition, mindfulness, and movement — to support your progress outside the clinic. Education is a key part of every visit, so you leave with a clear understanding of your body and the tools to manage your health independently.
Every session is one-on-one, individualized, and collaborative. Most patients notice improvement within 6–12 visits, and instead of feeling rushed or “cookie-cutter,” each appointment is designed to feel safe, elevated, and restorative.
“From the first visit, I felt heard and understood, and I have regained my quality of life. If you're dealing with pelvic floor issues, I can't recommend La Hoya Health highly enough!” -TK
Most frequently asked questions for patients experiencing pelvic floor physical therapy for the first time
It’s normal to be nervous when seeking out support for something that can feel so intimate or embarrassing. Here are a list of a more frequent asked questions that patients ask when considering booking their first session:
Am I required to have any procedures that make me uncomfortable?
Absolutely not. Everything in this practice is collaborative, and you are always in the driver’s seat. Consent and trauma-informed care are pillars of our work at La Hoya Health. Meeting you where you are at — every session — is the top priority.How is patient privacy and confidentiality handled?
La Hoya Health follows standard HIPAA guidelines to safeguard your privacy and confidentiality at all times.What should I wear?
Dress comfortably for your first visit. We’ll review your plan of care during that session, and if specific attire is needed later, we’ll make sure you know exactly what to bring.Can I still show up for the appointment if I’m on my period?
In most cases, yes. There are plenty of treatment options we can address around your cycle that don’t involve internal pelvic work. If you’re unsure, just reach out beforehand and we’ll talk through it together.What will happen on my first appointment?
Your first visit is an evaluation where we gather your history, set collaborative goals, and build a treatment plan. We’ll do a physical assessment that’s relevant to your concerns and talk through it before moving forward. We typically provide some hands-on treatment, education, and lifestyle recommendations right away, along with a few exercises for you to start practicing between visits.Will the therapist perform an internal exam? Is it required or optional?
If it’s relevant to your concerns, we may recommend an internal exam at some point — but it is never required. This is always a collaborative decision, discussed in detail, and only performed with your full consent. Internal work can be helpful, but it is entirely optional.
Why La Hoya Health is different
Most people don’t expect physical therapy to feel like self-care — but that’s exactly the vision behind La Hoya Health. Founder Katie Dewar, PT, DPT, PRPC created the practice to merge the best of both worlds: evidence-based rehabilitation grounded in research and proven methods, and an elevated, holistic experience where every detail is thoughtfully designed to make appointments feel restorative and valuable.
This approach turns care into more than just “fixing a problem.” It becomes a process of restoration, empowerment, and aging gracefully.
That commitment extends beyond the treatment room. La Hoya Health is passionate about accessibility and community connection, with plans to expand through workshops, community classes, a curated line of eco-friendly wellness products, and a scholarship fund supported by memberships and clinic sales — all designed to make care more inclusive and education more accessible. Because true wellness isn’t just about treatment; it’s about creating a space where people feel supported, informed, and connected.
“Katie from La Hoya Health is the pelvic floor PT I wish everyone could have. She is a wealth of knowledge, and takes a realistic approach to her plan of care. She is passionate about her work, approachable in every sense of the word, and is truly invested in patient understanding and outcomes. Whether you’re newly postpartum, have been struggling for years with what you’ve been told is normal at this point in life, or just curious about what you should be doing for your pelvic floor health, Katie is the best resource.” -LM
Reclaim your life — get control of your pelvic health
Pelvic floor issues don’t get better by ignoring them — but they can get better with the right care. Whether you want to stop leaking, reduce pain, prepare for childbirth, recover after surgery, or simply feel strong in your body again, pelvic floor physical therapy can change your day-to-day life.
👉 Book your complimentary consult today and take the first step toward laughing, running, and living without worry.
