What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy—and Who Needs It?

When most people think of physical therapy, they picture treatment for sports injuries, back pain, or post-surgery recovery. But there’s an entire area of physical therapy that’s just as important and often overlooked—pelvic floor physical therapy.

Whether you’re postpartum, dealing with urinary leakage, or experiencing pelvic pain, pelvic floor physical therapy may be exactly what you need to feel strong, confident, and in control again.

What Is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles located at the base of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, bowel, and—for women—your uterus. Like any other muscle group in the body, they can become weak, tight, overworked, or dysfunctional.

When the pelvic floor isn’t working properly, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Urinary leakage (especially with coughing, sneezing, or exercise)

• A feeling of heaviness or pressure “down there”

• Pain with intimacy

• Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements

• Low back or hip pain that hasn’t improved with other treatments

Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy isn’t just for postpartum women (though they’re some of our most common and most motivated patients!). It’s for anyone experiencing dysfunction in the pelvic region. That includes:

• Postpartum women dealing with core weakness, diastasis recti, or leakage

• Athletes with unexplained hip or back pain

• People of all genders experiencing pelvic pain or bowel/bladder control issues

• Individuals recovering from pelvic surgery, such as hysterectomy or prostatectomy

• Older adults managing age-related pelvic floor changes

What to Expect in a Pelvic Floor PT Session

At Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy, we start with a detailed conversation about your history, goals, and symptoms—without judgment and at your pace. After that, we’ll assess your posture, breathing, core strength, and pelvic floor function.

In some cases, a gentle internal assessment may be recommended, but it’s always optional and based on your comfort and consent.

From there, we create a personalized plan that may include:

Breathing and core coordination exercises

Pelvic floor muscle retraining (either strengthening or relaxing)

Posture and movement retraining

Manual therapy or soft tissue work

Guidance for returning to exercise or activity without symptoms

It’s Not “Just Part of Life”—You Deserve Better

Many people are told that symptoms like leakage, pelvic pressure, or painful sex are “normal” after childbirth or with aging. But common doesn’t mean normal. These issues are treatable, and you don’t have to live with them.

At Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy, we believe in empowering you with tools, education, and support to reclaim control over your body and your life.

Ready to get your confidence—and comfort—back?

We offer expert pelvic floor physical therapy in Easley, SC and Central, SC, with care that’s personalized, respectful, and rooted in clinical expertise.

📞 Call or text us at (864) 633-9272 to schedule your first visit.