Pelvic Floor and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Whether you want to be proactive during your pregnancy, are a runner that suffers from leakage, or struggling with pelvic pain postpartum, Ascent’s pelvic floor physio expertise can help.

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Why Ascent?

Improving Pelvic Health To Get You Feeling Like Yourself

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized area within the scope of physiotherapy that requires additional training and certification. Utilizing both an internal and external approach, our pelvic health specialist will assess and work to optimize the function of your pelvic floor muscles to help get you back to feeling like yourself again.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Calgary

Ascent is proud to have one of Calgary’s premier pelvic health physiotherapists in the city. Specifically trained with years of pelvic health experience, Natasha offers custom, 1:1 care for all genders following the Ascent Approach. Ascent also offers Pelvic Health classes.

From assessment to recovery, Ascent will be with you all the way.

What does Pelvic Floor Physio Help With?

Whether you want to be proactive during your pregnancy, struggling with erectile dysfunction, or are a runner that suffers from leakage, Ascent’s pelvic floor physio expertise can help.

Urinary incontinence (leakage)
Urgency
Constipation
Pelvic pain (Vulvodynia, Vestibulodynia, penile/testicular pain)
Pelvic organ prolapse
Prenatal or Perinatal
Low back pain and/or hip pain
Painful or difficult intercourse
Erectile dysfunction
Diastasis recti
Low back pain, tailbone, and/or hip pain
Painful or difficult intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Vaginismus
Interstitial cystitis (IC)
Bladder pain syndrome (BPS)
Endometriosis
Hernia
Painful menstruation (Dysmenorrhea)

Pelvic Physiotherapy Treatment Process

Assessment

Everything starts with a conversation. Our pelvic floor physiotherapist wants to understand your medical history, current concerns and their effects, and your goals to provide a treatment plan that is tailored for you. An external and internal exam will implement a full body and movement-based approach, in addition to a specific tone, strength, and functional assessment of the pelvic floor muscles.

Education

People are often not aware of what goes on “down there”. Be prepared to learn about the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor and how it relates to your specific concerns.

Manual Therapy

Pelvic floor physio treatment sessions may include a combination of both internal and external manual therapy techniques selected on an individualized basis. Techniques may include stretching, needling, non-nociceptive input, myofascial release, massage, and coccyx mobilization.

Exercise and Movement Therapy

Exercises will be personalized based on current functional levels and treatment goals. Examples include but are not limited to pelvic floor muscle strength training or relaxation, bladder retraining, functional core strengthening, and the use of pelvic wands or accommodators/dilators.

Resilience

Once you feel like you have regained some control, our goals can shift towards building and maintaining strength and capacity to help prevent a recurrence of your symptoms and keep you feeling your best for the long term.

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Pelvic Physiotherapy Treatment Process

Assessment

Education

People are often not aware of what goes on “down there”. Be prepared to learn about the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor and how it relates to your specific concerns.

Manual Therapy

Exercise and Movement Therapy

Resilience

Book an appointment

Practitioners

Natasha Lohues

Physio & Pelvic Health

Natasha is a big believer in the power of movement and loves to help people achieve their goals, no matter how big or small! …
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Our Team

Testimonials

“Natasha Lohues has magic hands. I was in a lot of pain due to pregnancy and after my first appointment I went from barely being able to walk for 10 minutes to almost one hour walks pain free. Highly recommend.!”

– Bruna

“I was very happy with my initial appointment. Natasha was very knowledgeable, asked about my hopes/expectations/goals, and walked me through every exercise.”

Veronika

I attended the “Your Body Beyond the Birth” class with Natasha Lohues and it was so helpful! Even at just 6 weeks postpartum, it was just the right level for me, and easily modified for those that could handle more. There was plenty of great information shared each class, and great speakers. Natasha was so personable and real and really knows her stuff! Definitely recommend it for anyone who has had a child!

Lance

FAQ

What can I expect during my first pelvic floor physiotherapy session?

Your comfort and care are of the utmost importance. Pelvic physiotherapy sessions are always conducted in a private treatment room and the initial visit is 1 hour in length. The physiotherapist will spend some time listening to your concerns and asking about your treatment goals. Using this information, the physiotherapist will conduct the objective portion of the assessment. This may include a general body scan, movement screen, functional assessment, and an internal examination. Education, hands on treatment, and exercises may also be part of this initial session. At the end of your visit, you will receive a comprehensive treatment plan outlining the assessment findings, your goals, and the steps to reach those goals.

What does an internal pelvic exam entail?

For the internal pelvic physio examination, you will undress from the waist down, lie down on the treatment table, and cover yourself with the provided drape sheet. Your pelvic health physiotherapist will wear latex free gloves and use a water-based lubricant. First, from an external approach, the therapist will observe your pelvic floor. For the internal portion, the pelvic health physiotherapist will insert one or two gloved fingers into the vaginal opening or one gloved finger into the rectal opening. This allows for an adequate assessment of the muscle strength, muscle tone, and muscle function of the front and back portions of your pelvic floor.

Please note, you will be asked to provide consent prior to each step of this assessment. If you are not comfortable proceeding, you can withdraw your consent at any time.

I’m not comfortable with an internal exam, what are my options?

No! Although an internal exam is considered the gold standard for assessment of pelvic floor dysfunction, it IS NOT mandatory. Through a detailed history and external evaluation, our pelvic health physiotherapist will be able to have a good idea of what is going on and how to help. If you are worried about an internal exam, don’t hesitate to speak with our pelvic health physiotherapist. Improvements are still possible without an internal exam.

I’m on my period, can I still come for my appointment?

Yes! Sometimes, it is even better to attend physiotherapy during this time as the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic organs may be more affected due to fluctuating hormones. Your comfort, however, is always our greatest concern – if you wish to forego attending your appointment while on your period, we simply ask that you provide 24 hours notice to reschedule.

Is it safe to have an internal exam while pregnant?

Yes, following the first trimester, it is safe and our physiotherapist will be happy to conduct an internal exam. If your doctor or midwife has advised you to abstain from sexual intercourse during your pregnancy, we will forego the internal examination portion of your assessment.

I just had a baby, when should I come in for my appointment?

First of all, Congratulations! Aim to book your session after your 6 week check-up with your doctor or midwife. Labour and delivery can result in trauma to the pelvic muscles similar to any other muscle in the body following an injury. This timeline allows for the natural healing process of your body to occur prior to an internal examination.

If you are experiencing significant pain or discomfort postnatally however, do not wait to come in! Lots can be done to manage the pain without the need of an internal exam.

Can I bring my baby with me?

Yes, of course! We love seeing our mamas and their babies. We just ask that babies remain in their car seats or strollers for the duration of the session.

What types of patients do you see?

Our pelvic floor physiotherapist is comfortable treating a variety of different populations including women, men, and children.

We can help your child if they are struggling with problems such as bedwetting, constipation, fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, or giggle incontinence. Treatment is designed to optimize participation in everyday activities and meet the needs of your entire family.

We can also help people with penises. If you are struggling with problems such as post void dribbling, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, tailbone pain (Coccydynia), persistent low back or pelvic girdle pain, or prostatitis, our pelvic floor physio can help you too!

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