Pelvic floor physiotherapy in British Columbia (BC), Canada is a specialized area of physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles for both men and women. These muscles play a key role in bladder, bowel, and sexual function, as well as core stability and support for pelvic organs.
What it involves:
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first visit starts with a conversation. Your physiotherapist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and goals — including your bladder, bowel, and (if relevant) obstetric history — so they understand your full picture before recommending anything.
From there, they'll complete an external assessment, looking at your posture, movement, and muscle function around your lower back, hips, and abdomen. Depending on your goals, your physiotherapist may also discuss an internal assessment (vaginal and/or rectal), which is considered the most accurate way to evaluate pelvic floor strength, coordination, and tension.
An internal assessment is never mandatory. It's explained in full beforehand, requires your consent, and you can pause or stop it at any point, for any reason.
Based on what your physiotherapist finds, you'll leave with a personalized plan, which may include manual therapy, targeted exercises, breathing and posture strategies, and education you can apply at home between visits.
Pelvic floor physiotherapists in BC are licensed physiotherapists and registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) who have taken additional training and certification in pelvic health. Their work includes:
- Assessing the strength, coordination, and function of pelvic floor muscles
- Assessments completed with an internal (vaginal/rectal) and/or external examination techniques
- Providing education on bladder and bowel habits, posture, breathing, and movement patterns
- Teaching pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, relaxation, and coordination work
- Addressing pain conditions, including pelvic pain, tailbone pain (coccygodynia), and painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
How to access it:
- No referral is required (though some insurance providers may ask for one).
- Services are typically offered in private clinics
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