Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common and most undertreated conditions in healthcare. Millions of people live with urinary leakage, pelvic pain, or postpartum symptoms because they were told it was normal, or because they did not know physical therapy could help. It is not normal, and it is treatable.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that spans the bottom of the pelvis. These muscles support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. They control urination and bowel function. They contribute to core stability, hip mechanics, and sexual function. When these muscles are too weak, too tight, or poorly coordinated, the result is symptoms that affect daily life — leaking with coughing or exercise, pain with sitting or intercourse, urgency, heaviness, or difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel.

Who Benefits from Pelvic Health PT

Pelvic floor dysfunction does not only affect postpartum women. We treat:

• Urinary incontinence — stress incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing, lifting, or exercise), urge incontinence (sudden, strong need to urinate), and mixed patterns. Pelvic floor PT is the first-line treatment recommended by every major clinical guideline.
• Pelvic pain — pain in the pelvis, perineum, lower abdomen, or with intercourse. Often driven by pelvic floor muscle tension, trigger points, or nerve irritation. Responds to manual therapy, relaxation training, and graded exposure.
• Prenatal preparation — strengthening the pelvic floor, hips, and core before delivery. Addressing low back pain, SI joint pain, and hip pain during pregnancy. Preparing the body for labor and recovery.
• Postpartum recovery — rebuilding pelvic floor strength and coordination after vaginal or cesarean delivery. Addressing diastasis recti (abdominal separation), incontinence, pain, and return to exercise.
• Prolapse — descent of the bladder, uterus, or rectum. Pelvic floor strengthening and behavioral strategies can significantly reduce symptoms and in many cases avoid surgery.
• Bowel dysfunction — constipation, fecal incontinence, or difficulty emptying. Often related to pelvic floor coordination problems that respond to biofeedback and retraining.
• Pre- and post-surgical pelvic rehab — before or after hysterectomy, prolapse repair, or other pelvic surgeries.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

We understand that pelvic health is a sensitive topic. Your first visit is a conversation and a clinical evaluation, conducted privately and at your pace. We explain everything before we do it, and you are in control of the process at every step.

The evaluation typically includes:

• Detailed history — Your symptoms, their impact on daily life, medical history, obstetric history if applicable, exercise habits, bladder and bowel patterns.
• Musculoskeletal screening — The pelvic floor does not work in isolation. We assess the hips, low back, and core to identify contributing factors.
• Pelvic floor assessment — An internal and/or external assessment of pelvic floor muscle strength, tone, coordination, and tenderness. This is done with your consent and can be modified based on your comfort level.
• Functional testing — How your pelvic floor responds during coughing, bearing down, lifting, or other activities that provoke your symptoms.

How We Treat It

Treatment depends on what the evaluation finds. The pelvic floor can be too weak, too tight, or poorly coordinated — and each pattern requires a different approach. Common components include:

• Pelvic floor muscle training — Strengthening, relaxation, or coordination exercises depending on your specific impairment. This is more than “do your Kegels.” Proper pelvic floor training requires correct technique, appropriate dosing, and integration with functional movements.
• Manual therapy — Internal and external soft tissue mobilization for pelvic floor muscle tension, trigger points, and scar tissue. Joint mobilization for the hips, SI joint, and lumbar spine when contributing to symptoms.
• Biofeedback — Real-time feedback on pelvic floor muscle activity to help you learn to contract, relax, and coordinate these muscles correctly.
• Behavioral strategies — Bladder retraining, fluid management, toileting mechanics, and habit modification for urgency and frequency symptoms.
• Progressive exercise — Rebuilding core strength, hip strength, and aerobic capacity. This is especially important for postpartum patients returning to exercise and for anyone whose symptoms limit physical activity.
• Education — Understanding your anatomy, your condition, and why your symptoms are happening is a powerful part of treatment. We take time to explain.

The “Just Do Kegels” Problem

The most common advice for pelvic floor problems is “do your Kegels.” This is well-intentioned but incomplete — and sometimes wrong. If your pelvic floor is already too tight (hypertonic), strengthening exercises can make symptoms worse. If your technique is incorrect (and research shows the majority of people perform Kegels incorrectly without instruction), you are training the wrong muscles.

A pelvic health physical therapist evaluates what your pelvic floor actually needs — and builds a program around that assessment, not a generic recommendation.

Edgerton and Fitchburg

We provide pelvic health physical therapy at both our Edgerton and Fitchburg locations. Both clinics have private treatment rooms. You will see the same Doctor of Physical Therapy at every visit. All evaluations and treatment are conducted with your consent and at your comfort level.

No Referral Needed

Wisconsin’s direct access law means you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral. Call us today and be seen within 24-48 hours.

We are in-network with Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Medicare, Humana, The Alliance, UMR, Cigna, and all Workers’ Compensation carriers. HSA/FSA accepted. Competitive self-pay rates available. We verify your benefits before your first visit.

Two Locations

Fitchburg — 6250 Nesbitt Rd, Suite 500, Fitchburg, WI 53719
Edgerton — 102 W Fulton St, Edgerton, WI 53534
Phone: (608) 561-7733

Serving Fitchburg, Madison, Verona, Oregon, Middleton, Edgerton, Milton, Janesville, Stoughton, and surrounding communities.