What to Expect During Your First Pelvic Floor PT Session

Starting pelvic floor physical therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. Whether you’re coming in for help with pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or a pelvic health concern like leaking, pain, or prolapse, your first session is all about understanding your needs and setting you on the path to feeling your best. Let’s break it down so you can walk into your appointment feeling confident and prepared.

Arriving at the Clinic: A Serene Start

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into our clinic is the calming, welcoming environment. Our waiting room features a comfortable couch and soothing décor designed to help you relax as soon as you arrive. This isn’t just another appointment—it’s a space dedicated to your healing and care.

Once your therapist is ready, you’ll be called from the waiting room into the treatment area. This one-on-one space is private, serene, and equipped to focus entirely on your unique needs.

The Initial Chat: Getting to Know You

Your first session starts with a conversation—because your story matters. We’ll discuss your health history, symptoms, goals, and anything you’d like to share about your experience. Common topics we cover include:

Any current symptoms like bladder leaks, constipation, or pelvic pain.
How your body feels during everyday activities, like walking, exercising, or sitting.
Your pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum journey (if applicable).
Goals you’d like to achieve, such as reducing pain, preparing for labor, or regaining core strength.

This is your time to ask questions, share concerns, and set the tone for your care. We’re here to listen, not rush, so you feel completely heard and supported.

The Anatomy Review: Let’s Talk About the Pelvic Floor

Once we’ve talked through your history and goals, we’ll move into a mini anatomy lesson. Don’t worry—it’s not a college lecture! We’ll explain how your pelvic floor muscles work, why they might not be functioning optimally, and how therapy can help. Many people find this part eye-opening because it connects the dots between their symptoms and what’s happening in their body.

The Physical Assessment: Let’s See How Things Are Working

This part involves a thorough, gentle evaluation of how your muscles, joints, and tissues are functioning. We’ll look at things like:

Posture and alignment: How your body moves and holds itself during everyday activities.
Breathing mechanics: Whether your breath supports your core and pelvic floor.
External exam: Assessing your hips, back, and abdominal wall to identify areas of tension, weakness, or pain.

If you’re comfortable, we may also perform an internal pelvic floor exam. This is a hands-on assessment where we check how your pelvic muscles are working—can they contract, relax, and coordinate effectively? Are there areas of tightness or pain? This step is always done with your full consent and at your pace. If internal work isn’t something you’re ready for, no problem! We’ll adjust the session to meet your needs.

The Treatment Plan: Let’s Get to Work

Based on what we find during the examination and assessment, we’ll outline a personalized treatment plan to help you reach your goals. This might include:

Exercises to strengthen or relax your pelvic floor and core muscles.
Postural adjustments to reduce strain and improve alignment.
Breathing techniques to support better coordination between your diaphragm and pelvic floor.
Manual therapy to release tension or improve scar mobility if needed.

Treatment starts on Day 1! You’ll leave with specific strategies to work on at home and a clear idea of what to expect moving forward.

The Emotional Aspect: Feeling Safe and Empowered

We know pelvic health can feel personal and even intimidating. That’s why we prioritize a trauma-informed approach. Our sessions are a judgment-free zone where you’re in control. We’ll check in with you throughout the session to ensure you feel comfortable, respected, and heard.

Your First Session: A New Beginning

Walking into your first pelvic floor PT session may feel like stepping into the unknown, but by the end, you’ll leave with a greater understanding of your body and a solid plan to address your goals. Whether you’re here to tackle a specific issue or simply to optimize your health, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Feel free to check us out on Google Reviews to see how others have viewed our services. We’re proud of the positive feedback we’ve received from our amazing patients and would love to help you next!

Have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or reach out to us directly—we’d love to hear from you!

If you’re ready to get started, we’d love to meet you! Book your first session today, and let’s work together to help you feel strong, supported, and confident in your body.