Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

About This Service

At Bedford Health Centre in Bedford, NS, our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are government-regulated healthcare professionals who have obtained a minimum four-year university-trained Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy, in addition to several post-graduate training certifications in pelvic health.

Our experienced physiotherapists undergo extensive training specific to pelvic health, providing personalized care for a range of conditions affecting your pelvic floor and musculoskeletal issues. Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses conditions including incontinence, prolapse, and pain that can affect the pelvic floor muscles, nerves, and connective tissues for all individuals.

Treatments are scheduled for 30, 45, 90, or 120 minutes depending on your specific needs, treatment requirements, or client goals. Treatments are often covered under most private health insurance plans. We serve patients from Bedford, Halifax, Sackville, and surrounding areas in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Common Types of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest in various ways, affecting bladder control, bowel function, sexual health, and overall quality of life. Our physiotherapists are trained to address all of these conditions with evidence-based treatment approaches.

1. Urinary Dysfunction Urinary incontinence involves involuntary leakage of urine, which may occur with activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercise. This can also include urinary urgency and frequency, characterized by strong, sudden urges to urinate and increased frequency of urination.
2. Bowel Dysfunction Fecal incontinence is the involuntary leakage of stool, which may range from mild leakage to complete loss of bowel control. Constipation, or difficulty passing stool and infrequent bowel movements, is also commonly addressed through pelvic floor physiotherapy.
3. Pelvic Organ Prolapse This involves the descent or bulging of pelvic organs (vagina, bladder, uterus, urethra, or rectum) into the vaginal canal or through the pelvic floor muscles, often described as a sensation of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis.
4. Pelvic Pain Disorders Chronic or acute pain in the pelvic region may include the genitals, lower abdomen, or perineum. Dyspareunia (painful intercourse), also known as Provoked Vestibulodynia (PVD), can be associated with muscle spasms or tension in the pelvic floor. Hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction involves tightness or spasms from overactivity, increased muscle tone, or tension in the pelvic floor muscles, which may lead to pain, discomfort, and difficulty relaxing the muscles.
5. Sexual Dysfunction Tightness or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to sexual dysfunction or painful intercourse, affecting intimacy and quality of life.
6. Musculoskeletal Dysfunction Pelvic girdle pain involves discomfort in the pelvic joints and muscles, often associated with pregnancy, childbirth, or musculoskeletal imbalances. Pelvic floor dysfunction can also contribute to hip and lower back pain due to compromised pelvic stability and muscle coordination.

Strong Foundations: Pregnancy & Your Pelvic Floor

Pregnancy and childbirth place unique demands on the pelvic floor. Our specialized physiotherapists provide expert care throughout your pregnancy journey and postpartum recovery to help you maintain strength, prevent complications, and recover optimally.

Pre-Natal Care

During pregnancy, hormonal changes and the increasing weight of the uterus can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Preparation for labour is crucial—strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can prepare the body for labour and delivery. Strong pelvic floor muscles help support the uterus, reduce the risk of urinary incontinence during pregnancy, and facilitate a faster recovery postpartum.

Post-Natal Care

Postpartum recovery requires specialized attention to ensure proper healing and restoration of function. Our physiotherapists address several common postpartum concerns:

• Perineal tears and episiotomy rehabilitation—tears or surgical cuts during childbirth can affect the pelvic floor muscles and require proper healing and rehabilitation
• Diastasis recti management—separation of the abdominal muscles can affect core stability and pelvic floor function postpartum
• Caesarean section recovery—addressing muscle weakness and healing, scar tissue management, core stability, and safe return to activity
• Postpartum pelvic pain relief—pain may arise due to muscular tension, scar tissue, or pelvic floor dysfunction

Understanding Your Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Assessment

Your first visit includes a comprehensive assessment to understand your unique situation and develop a personalized treatment plan. The assessment process is thorough, respectful, and always conducted with your comfort and consent as the priority.

• Thorough assessment of pelvic floor muscle function and related musculoskeletal structures to identify areas of concern
• Medical history review covering past injuries, surgeries, pregnancies, childbirth experiences, and current symptoms
• Physical examination that may involve external palpation and internal assessment (with your consent) to evaluate muscle tone, tenderness, and pelvic organ support
• Functional assessment of activities related to pelvic health, postural alignment, gait analysis, and specific exercises to identify movement dysfunctions
• Biofeedback assessment to provide real-time feedback on muscle activity and coordination, improving awareness and control of muscles
• Symptom assessment and discussion to help provide guidance and create a personalized treatment plan
• Education and goal setting where your physiotherapist will educate you on findings and collaborate with you to set realistic goals
• Treatment plan development tailored to address your specific needs and goals, which may include pelvic floor exercises, manual therapy techniques, behavioural strategies, lifestyle modifications, ongoing support, and education

Benefits of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic health physiotherapy can significantly improve quality of life by addressing often-overlooked but critical aspects of health. Proper diagnosis and individualized treatment plans are essential to effectively manage pelvic floor dysfunction and improve your quality of life.

• Improves bladder and bowel control
• Reduces or eliminates urinary incontinence
• Relieves pelvic pain and discomfort
• Supports pregnancy and postpartum recovery
• Enhances sexual function and comfort
• Strengthens core stability and posture
• Reduces pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
• Accelerates post-surgical healing
• Prevents future pelvic floor dysfunction
• Improves confidence and quality of life

Who Is This For?

Whether you are experiencing discomfort, recovering from childbirth, or seeking preventive care, our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are here to support your journey to improved pelvic health and overall well-being.

This specialized therapy is beneficial for anyone experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, regardless of age or gender. While commonly associated with pregnancy and postpartum recovery, pelvic floor issues can affect anyone at any stage of life, including those experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, pelvic organ prolapse, pre/post-natal concerns, post-surgical recovery (hysterectomy, prostatectomy), chronic constipation, or those preparing for childbirth. It's also valuable for athletes and individuals looking to optimize their core and pelvic floor function.