Let's talk about this one first, because it's the question most people are thinking about.

Your pelvic floor muscles are located inside your pelvis. They play an important role in bladder and bowel function, sexual health, core stability, and support of your pelvic organs. Because of where they are, the most thorough way to assess them is through an internal exam, either intra-vaginally or intra-rectally.

But here's what I want you to know: you do not have to have an internal exam at your first visit, or ever, if that's not something you're comfortable with. Some clients are ready for it right away. Some need a few visits to build trust first. Both are completely fine. We can assess externally through palpation and still learn a great deal about what's going on.

And if you'd rather not have any pelvic floor assessment at the first visit, your care will not be compromised. Your pelvis doesn't exist in isolation. It's connected to your spine, your hips, your breathing, and the way your whole body moves. There is a lot of valuable work we can do looking at your posture, movement patterns, strength, coordination, and flexibility, and then we can focus in on the pelvic floor when you feel ready. We'll move at your pace, and you are always in control of what happens during your session.

Your privacy matters, and we've set up the clinic to reflect that. You'll be in a private treatment room with a door that closes. There is a bathroom right next to the treatment room so you always have easy access. And during your session, you are the only client in the clinic. No one will overhear your conversation, and you will never have to worry about being exposed.

When you schedule your initial evaluation, you'll receive intake forms by email. Please fill these out ahead of time so I can review your history before we meet. Because the paperwork is handled in advance, you won't need to arrive early or fill anything out when you get here. A credit card is also captured during the intake process, so billing at the end of your session is seamless and you won't need to stop at a desk on your way out.

Come in comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Think yoga pants, athletic wear, or loose shorts. We'll be looking at how your body moves, so anything you'd wear to exercise or stretch works well.

Your first visit is a full 90-minute evaluation, one-on-one, start to finish. We begin with a conversation. I want to hear about what you're experiencing, what you've already tried, what your goals are, and anything else that feels important for me to know. This part isn't rushed. Taking the time to understand your full picture is how we find things that may have been missed before.

From there, we move into a full-body assessment. I'll look at how you move, how you breathe, how your spine, hips, and pelvis are working together, and how all of that connects to what you're feeling. You'll receive treatment during this first visit, and by the end, we'll build a plan of care together so you know exactly what we're working on and why.

Consistency matters in pelvic health physical therapy. Before you leave your initial evaluation, we'll schedule your follow-up sessions out for several weeks based on what we find. Come to your first appointment with a few dates and times in mind that work for your schedule so we can get those on the calendar together.

We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you walk in. The treatment tables are warmed and have a cozy cover, and we have water and tea available for you. This is your time, and we want it to feel that way.