If you are dealing with pelvic pain, leaking when you laugh, or the heavy feeling of prolapse, you might feel like you simply have to live with it. Whether you are navigating the changes of pregnancy, recovering from birth, or managing the transition into menopause, these symptoms can be frustrating and isolating. At Bloom Pelvic Health and Wellness, we want you to know that while these issues are common, they are not something you have to settle for.
Your journey to feeling like yourself again starts with a comprehensive pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation in Chelmsford, MA.
Taking that first step can feel intimidating, especially when you are not sure what to expect. Pelvic health is deeply personal, and we honor that by providing a non-judgmental, empathetic environment. Our goal is to uncover the root cause of your symptoms and empower you with a clear plan for recovery.
Your Story: The Intake and Medical History
Your first visit at Bloom Pelvic Health and Wellness begins with a conversation. We believe your story is the most important piece of the puzzle. During the intake portion of your evaluation, our physical therapists will listen as you describe your concerns in full.
We discuss everything from pelvic organ prolapse and painful intercourse to bladder health and diastasis recti. We also look beyond the physical symptoms, exploring your history with pregnancy, your fitness goals, and how your symptoms are affecting your daily life.
This is a safe space to share details you may have felt hesitant to bring up elsewhere. By understanding your unique medical history and lifestyle, we can begin to see how your pelvic health fits into the bigger picture of your overall wellness.
Functional Assessment: How You Move
Pelvic health does not exist in a vacuum. Your pelvic floor is the foundation of your core, and it works in coordination with your hips, back, and breath. To understand why you may be experiencing dysfunction, we perform a thorough functional movement assessment.
We observe your posture, the way you walk, and how you perform basic movements such as squatting or lunging. A movement screen may also be used to evaluate hip mobility and spinal flexibility. Often, issues like lower back pain or hip tightness are directly linked to how your pelvic floor is functioning.
By assessing your body as a whole, we can identify imbalances that may be contributing to your discomfort or weakness.
The Pelvic Floor Exam: What to Expect
The most common question we hear is about the physical exam itself. We want you to feel completely comfortable and in control throughout this process.
The exam typically includes both an external and internal assessment, and we only proceed with what you are comfortable with and only with your explicit consent.
External Assessment
During the external portion, we check the tissues around the pelvis and abdomen for tenderness, scarring, or muscle tension. This gives us important information about how the surrounding structures may be contributing to your symptoms.
Internal Assessment
For the internal assessment, we gently evaluate the pelvic floor muscles to check for strength, coordination, and the ability to relax. We also identify any trigger points or areas of myofascial restriction.
Unlike a standard pelvic exam at a physician’s office, no speculums are used. This is a specialized musculoskeletal assessment focused entirely on muscle function and tissue health.
Creating Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Once the evaluation is complete, we sit down with you to discuss our findings and build a personalized plan of care. There is no one-size-fits-all approach at Bloom Pelvic Health and Wellness. Your treatment plan is designed around your specific goals, whether that is returning to running, preparing for labor, or finding lasting relief from chronic pelvic pain.
Your plan may draw from a range of evidence-based treatments and modalities, including:
- Manual therapy, including soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy to reduce tension and restore tissue health
- Breathwork and diaphragmatic training to improve core function and pelvic floor coordination
- Cupping therapy or dry needling as integrative modalities to address deeper tissue restrictions
- Neuromuscular re-education to help you regain control and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles
- Strength and conditioning exercises targeted to support your body’s specific needs and long-term goals
We also place a strong emphasis on education, ensuring you understand how to manage your symptoms at home and throughout your daily activities.
Start Your Journey with Bloom Pelvic Health and Wellness
Understanding your body is the first step toward lasting relief and an improved quality of life. You do not have to navigate pelvic health challenges alone.
At Bloom Pelvic Health and Wellness, our team in Chelmsford, MA is here to guide you through every stage, from prenatal support and postpartum recovery to menopause support and healthy aging. If you are ready to find answers and regain your confidence, we are ready to help.
Contact Bloom Pelvic Health and Wellness today to book your evaluation or schedule a complimentary discovery call to learn more about how we can support your pelvic health.