Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Edmonton: What It Is and Who It Helps

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is assessment and treatment for the group of muscles that support your bladder, bowel and pelvic organs. It can help people who leak when they cough or run, feel sudden urgency, live with pelvic pain, or notice changes during pregnancy and after birth, and it is not only for new parents. At Aura Physiotherapy in downtown Edmonton, pelvic floor physiotherapy is provided by Radha Durai Babu, a physiotherapist, our Clinic Director and a Certified Pelvic Floor Therapist.

Below, you will find the pelvic floor explained simply, common reasons people book, what a first visit involves, how consent and privacy work, and when to see a doctor first.

General information only, not a diagnosis. Our physiotherapists, chiropractor and massage therapists assess every patient first.

What is the pelvic floor, and what does a pelvic floor physiotherapist do?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that sits like a supportive sling across the bottom of your pelvis, from the pubic bone at the front to the tailbone at the back. These muscles help you hold in urine, stool and gas, support your bladder, bowel and (if you have one) uterus, and play a part in sexual function. They also work with your deep abdominal muscles, diaphragm, hips and low back to manage pressure when you lift, cough or jump.

Like any muscle group, the pelvic floor can become weak, but it can also become tight or poorly coordinated. Pregnancy, birth, surgery, constipation, chronic coughing, stress and hormone changes can all affect how it works.

A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a physiotherapist with additional training in this area. They look at how these muscles contract, relax and coordinate with the rest of your body, then build a treatment plan around what they find. Treatment can include education, breathing and relaxation work, exercise therapy and manual therapy, at a pace that suits you.

Who is pelvic floor physiotherapy for?

Many people assume pelvic floor physiotherapy is only for the months after having a baby. In practice, people book for many reasons, at many stages of life, including:

• Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, run, jump or lift
• A sudden, strong urge to pass urine, or needing to go very often
• Pelvic pain, tailbone pain or pain around the pubic bone
• Pain or discomfort with intercourse, or with inserting a tampon
• A feeling of heaviness, pressure or dragging in the vagina or pelvis
• Pregnancy, recovery after birth, and returning to running or lifting
• Low back or hip pain that has not settled with general care

Many people put up with these symptoms for years because they feel embarrassed or assume nothing can be done. An assessment helps you understand what may be contributing and what your options are.

The pelvic floor also works closely with the hips and low back. If you have ongoing back pain, our guide to low back pain physiotherapy in Edmonton explains how an assessment looks at the whole picture.

Pelvic health for men

Men have a pelvic floor too, and it can be involved in leaking, urgency, pelvic pain and changes after prostate surgery. If you are unsure whether pelvic floor physiotherapy at Aura is a fit for your concern, you can call the clinic and ask privately before you book.

Pregnancy, postpartum and getting back to running or lifting

Pregnancy changes the load on your pelvic floor, abdominal wall and back. Your posture shifts, your ligaments respond to hormones, and your pelvic floor supports more weight as your baby grows. Prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy can look at pelvic or back pain, leaking during pregnancy and how you move through daily tasks.

After birth, every recovery looks different. A vaginal birth, an assisted birth or a caesarean birth each place different demands on the body. Some people notice leaking, heaviness, pain at a scar or a gap between the abdominal muscles. Others feel fine at rest but notice symptoms once they pick up a car seat, chase a toddler or try a jog. Many people check in with their doctor or midwife at their postpartum appointment before starting pelvic floor physiotherapy. If you are unsure when to start, call the clinic and ask.

Returning to running, lifting or high-impact sport after pregnancy is usually a gradual build rather than a single date on the calendar. An assessment can look at how your pelvic floor and core respond to load, then guide a step-by-step plan. Our article on returning to running in Edmonton covers the general principles of building back up.

Why "just do Kegels" is not the whole picture

Kegels, or pelvic floor squeezes, are often the first thing people hear about. For some people, strengthening helps. For others, it is not the right starting point.

As a general principle, pelvic floor muscles can be weak, but they can also be holding too much tension. A muscle already working hard all day may have little room left to contract when you cough or lift, and more squeezing can make some symptoms feel worse. Here, the first step is often learning to relax the muscles. This can be relevant for some people with pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, constipation or urgency.

Technique also matters. Many people who try Kegels on their own end up holding their breath, squeezing their buttocks or bearing down instead of lifting. Without an assessment, it is hard to tell if the exercise is being done as intended, or if it is the right exercise for you at all.

A pelvic floor physiotherapist looks at strength, endurance, relaxation, coordination and timing, and how the pelvic floor works with your breathing and posture. The plan that follows is adjusted as you go.

What happens at a first pelvic health visit?

Your first visit starts with a conversation, not an examination. Radha will ask about your symptoms, your bladder and bowel habits, any pregnancies and births, surgeries, your general health, your activity and what you would like to get back to. Share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.

Next comes an external assessment. This can include how you move, your posture and breathing, your hips, low back and abdominal wall.

Internal assessment is your choice

Aura offers internal assessment as part of pelvic health care, because it can give the most direct information about how the pelvic floor muscles contract and relax. It is always optional. Before anything happens, the purpose and the process are explained in plain language, and you are asked for your informed consent. You can say no, you can ask to wait until a later visit, and you can stop at any time, including partway through. Your care continues either way.

In Alberta, physiotherapists who perform internal pelvic examinations work under the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA) standard for performance of restricted activities. You can also verify a physiotherapist's registration with the CPTA.

You leave with a written plan for the next steps.

Privacy, what to wear and what to bring

Pelvic health concerns are personal, and your privacy matters. Assessments take place in a private treatment room, and the conversation stays between you and your physiotherapist. If you would like a support person with you, ask when you book.

Please do not describe your symptoms through the website contact form. If you have a question before booking, you can call the clinic at (587) 405-3174, or save it for your assessment, where it can be discussed privately in person.

For your visit, wear comfortable clothing you can move in, such as leggings or loose pants. If an internal assessment is planned and you consent, you will be given privacy to undress and a drape or towel to cover yourself. It can help to bring:

• A list of your current medications
• Any notes from your doctor, midwife or surgeon, if you have them
• Your extended health benefits information, so the clinic can check direct billing

If you are unsure about anything, call ahead and ask.

When to see a doctor first

Some symptoms need a medical assessment first, or alongside physiotherapy. Contact your doctor promptly, or seek urgent care, if you notice:

• Blood in your urine, or bleeding that is new or unexpected
• A new or rapidly worsening feeling of a bulge or prolapse, especially with pain
• Fever, chills or feeling unwell along with pelvic pain
• Pain or burning when passing urine, which can be a sign of infection
• New symptoms after pelvic, abdominal or prostate surgery
• Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the genitals, inner thighs or buttocks

The last item, especially with back pain or leg weakness, can signal a nerve emergency. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.

If you are pregnant and notice bleeding, fluid leaking, severe pain or reduced movement from your baby, contact your doctor, midwife or hospital right away.

How an assessment at Aura works

You do not need a doctor's referral to book physiotherapy in Alberta, because physiotherapy is direct access. Some benefit plans ask for a referral before they will reimburse, so it is worth checking your plan.

A standard initial physiotherapy assessment at Aura is an unhurried 40 minutes. When you book, the clinic can tell you the length of a pelvic health first visit. You see the same therapist every visit, and you leave with a written, plain-language treatment plan. Aura direct bills 16+ insurers, and Alberta Health Care does not cover private physiotherapy. You can read more in our insurance FAQs.

To learn more about Radha and the team, visit our About page. For a general walkthrough of a first visit, see what to expect at an initial physiotherapy assessment. When you are ready, you can book an initial assessment online.

Frequently asked questions about pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton

Do I need a referral for pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton?

No. Physiotherapy is direct access in Alberta, so you can book without a referral. Some extended health plans ask for a doctor's referral before they reimburse, so check your plan if that applies to you.

Do I have to have an internal exam?

No. Internal assessment is optional and only happens with your informed consent, after the purpose and process are explained. You can decline, choose to wait, or stop at any time, and your care continues with an external assessment and treatment.

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy only for after having a baby?

No. People book for leaking, urgency, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, heaviness or pressure, at many stages of life. Pregnancy and postpartum care is one part of pelvic health.

How do I share personal symptoms before my visit?

Please do not send symptoms through the website form. You can call the clinic at (587) 405-3174 with questions, or talk about everything privately with Radha at your assessment.

Important: This article is general information only. It is not medical advice and it cannot be used to diagnose or treat any condition. Every patient is assessed first by one of our registered physiotherapists, our chiropractor or our registered massage therapists before any treatment, and your care plan is based on that assessment. If you have symptoms, please book an assessment.

Related service: Pelvic floor physiotherapy and specialized care

Related reading: Low back pain physiotherapy in Edmonton and What to expect at your initial physiotherapy assessment

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