“How To Find Pelvic Floor Therapists Near Me?”
A question we frequently encounter from patients is the challenge of locating a nearby pelvic floor therapist. This specialty is rather niche, making the task of finding a well-qualified pelvic physical therapist in your area particularly demanding.
The field of pelvic health is diverse, and encompasses a broad range of skills and knowledge. If your initial experience with a pelvic floor physical therapist doesn’t yield the desired results, don’t lose faith. There’s always an opportunity to seek out another opinion, or even a second! The key is to find a therapist whose proficiency aligns with your needs, and whose personality resonates with you.
In pelvic floor physical therapy, a noticeable change — though not necessarily a complete turnaround — should be apparent within the initial 3-5 sessions. If such an improvement is lacking in your case, it could be highly beneficial to seek a second opinion.
In case you’re finding it difficult in finding a proficient pelvic floor therapist in your area; rest assure that there are numerous resources, both online and remote. These resources can provide guidance in finding the right therapist. Whether it’s rehabilitation exercises, informational content or online consultations, the digital world serves as a vast source of support for those in need of pelvic PT.
Best Resources on “How To Find Pelvic Floor Therapists Near me”
Here are some excellent sources for finding a pelvic floor physical therapist nearest to you:
- Niche Practices: Your physical floor therapist should be at a clinic that specializes in pelvic health. This typically implies that the practice is designed for patients with complicated conditions, and that the staff members have had the opportunity to learn and develop their skills under the guidance of a seasoned pelvic physical therapist.
- Blended practices: these practices may have orthopedic and pelvic health therapists. These practices can be great options for easy transitions, teamwork, and fluid care when pelvic health concerns affect orthopedic problems such as pain with recreational activities and optimizing daily living. You can service all your needs in one practice vs. finding two clinics for needs to affect one another.
- Full-Length Appointments: Some pelvic health conditions require more time than a simple sprained ankle. Therefore, looking for a therapist that has full hour appointments would be ideal. There are many clinics that offer 50 minute appointments. The biggest importance is that you feel connected to the treating therapist and not rushed with sensitive topics.
- Hands-on Focus: Studies have shown and confirmed the importance of manual physical therapy. Ask your therapist about their plan when talking with them about your ailment.
- Internal vs. External Treatment: The pelvic floor can’t be treated alone as with some orthopedic conditions. Sometimes the pelvic region can relate to all the structures and muscles around it. Therefore your treatment plan should include both an internal and external rehab strategy.
You can never go wrong with asking Google! The most famous search engine is now in the business of artificial intelligence. When it comes to finding the best answer to your question, it’s going to do its best. The best term to search for is usually “pelvic floor therapists near me”. There are thousands of people who use this term every month. So you should feel good about getting to the right location with this term. Focus on a clinic specializing in pelvic health.
Check the clinic’s Google reviews, or even their Facebook page to read recent patient reviews. Considering the personal nature of pelvic health, you may not see many in relation to the pelvic floor. Therefore, you should look at their reviews from a holistic standpoint. Also feel free to call and ask questions that pertain to your injury/ailment. Many clinics may do some form of a free consultation or discovery call for you to assess if the clinic is right for you.
Ask Your Doctor
Another great source is your primary physician, OBGYN, urologist, urogynecologist, or orthopedistThey will likely have information in regards to a local pelvic floor therapist. When you ask your doctor, don’t be afraid to go deeper in questioning. Some doctors don’t like to show favoritism by recommending one PT, therefore they recommend multiple. Try asking them “If you were sending a family member to a therapist, who would you recommend?”.
Social Media
Social media can be a great tool in finding qualified pelvic floor therapists. Many pelvic health conditions have their own FaceBook groups, where you can ask people in your area about their favorite pelvic floor therapists. You can also use hashtags to search such as:
Social media is also a great way to vet a clinic with their website, reviews, and reputation. Lastly, many pelvic health clinics offer remote consultations.
Patient Advocacy Organizations
There are patient advocacy groups, which offer valuable resources for those affected. These organizations often maintain a roster of pelvic floor therapists who have been recommended by themselves or by their patients. Here are some examples:
- The Interstitial Cystitis Association (must be a member to access)
- National Vulvodynia Association (must be a member to access)
- Coccyx.org for Tailbone Pain/Coccydynia (free to access)
- Voices for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, American Urogynecology Society (free to access)
- International Pelvic Pain Society (free to access)
There are pros and cons to these resources. While they can be incredibly beneficial, their accessibility is often contingent on a paid membership. Additionally, the information provided is self-submitted by the providers. Yet, it’s worth noting that the listed providers are ones who have expressed an interest in assisting patients like yourself. Both the American Urogynecology Society and International Pelvic Pain Society don’t just list pelvic floor physical therapists, but also include physicians (largely gynecologists, urologists, and urogynecologists) who have a focus on managing pelvic floor pain and dysfunction.
American Physical Therapy Association Specialist Search
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is the governing body that manages the certification and specialty examinations for professionals in the field of physical therapy. The Association is also responsible for the Women’s Clinical Specialist (WCS) exam, but there are less than 500 such specialists nationwide. Notably, these experts often extend their services to men as well. If you’re looking for a physical therapist near you, the APTA website provides a search tool for this purpose.
However, to be included in the directory on the APTA website, a physical therapist must be a paid member. This may exclude many professionals, particularly those not affiliated with large hospital systems, from the list. Therefore, although it is a useful resource to find local options, it doesn’t encompass every physical therapist available.
PelvicGuru Directory
PelvicGuru is a directory of healthcare professionals that’s great in its accessibility for both providers and patients alike. It operates on a unique tiered structure, enabling all practitioners to list their practices at no cost. However, for those who choose to pay an annual fee, they receive the added benefits of showcasing a photograph or offering more detailed information regarding their clinic.
PelvicGurn has a lot potential in the realm of pelvic health. It provides a platform for professionals ranging from doctors and nurses to physical therapists, sex therapists, nutritionists, and doulas to showcase their practices. As it expands, it’s poised to become an indispensable resource for patients.
Herman & Wallace Institute
The Herman & Wallace Institute is the leading organization who trains pelvic physical therapists. Physical therapists from all over the country take their continuing education courses. The course curriculum can range from an introduction to pelvic therapy to extremely specialized courses.
The website of Herman & Wallace has a directory of Physical Therapists (PTs) who have enrolled in at least one of their courses. It’s important to note that Herman & Wallace are at the forefront of providing education in this specific field.
The Bottom Line
It can be hard when searching for “pelvic floor therapists near me”. However, there are multiple sources that can help you along the way. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call, or request an appointment today!
