FAQs

Expertise: We specialize exclusively in pelvic floor physical therapy—this is our core focus. While many PT clinics may claim to offer pelvic PT, it’s often not their primary area of expertise, leading to limited treatment options. Since 2011, Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy has helped thousands of women with a diverse range of pelvic health issues and is recognized as a leader in the field.

Highest Standard of Care: At Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy, you’re more than just a policy number. As an out-of-network provider, we are not restricted by insurance protocols, allowing us to focus on what’s truly best for our patients and providing the highest quality of care.

Prompt Appointments: We understand the importance of timely care. That’s why we typically can schedule you within 7 days at one of our convenient locations.

Physical therapy can address a wide variety of pelvic floor conditions. Here is an overview of some of the common issues we treat in our clinic:

Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Pelvic girdle pain

• Diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles)

• Postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation

• Tailbone pain during or after pregnancy

• Sciatica or back pain related to pregnancy

Pelvic Pain

• Chronic pelvic pain

• Pain during or after sexual intercourse

• Pain related to menstrual cycles

• Endometriosis-related pain

• Pelvic floor tension myalgia

• Pudendal neuralgia

• Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

• Vaginismus and vulvodynia

Musculoskeletal Issues

• Lower back pain

• Hip pain

• Tailbone (coccyx) pain

• Sacroiliac joint pain

• Sciatica or piriformis syndrome

• Post-surgical rehabilitation (e.g., after prostate surgery)

• Prolapse symptoms (e.g., bladder, uterine, or rectal)

Urinary Issues

• Incontinence (stress, urge, mixed)

• Frequent urination

• Painful urination

• Urinary urgency

• Difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream

• Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination)

Bowel Dysfunction

• Constipation

• Fecal incontinence

• Pain during bowel movements

• Straining or difficulty with bowel movements

Sexual Dysfunction

• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

• Vaginismus (muscle spasms that affect intercourse)

• Erectile dysfunction

• Reduced sexual sensation or arousal

• Difficulty achieving orgasm

Male Pelvic Pain

• Pain in the pelvic area, including the penis, scrotum, testicles, perineum, and anus

• Discomfort worsened by sitting, some exercises, and certain clothing

• Urinary problems like urgent or frequent need, hesitancy, and weak stream

• Genital pain during or after ejaculation

• Erectile dysfunction and weaker ejaculation

• Gastrointestinal issues, such as bloating and constipation

Pediatric Pelvic Health

• Constipation

• Nighttime bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)

• Daytime wetting

• Stress incontinence (leaking)

• Overactive bladder

• Urinary frequency/urgency

• Urinary retention

• Bowel incontinence and/or inability to empty bowel

Perimenopause and Menopause

• Urinary urgency, frequent urination, burning, nighttime urination

• Sensations of bladder or pelvic pressure

• Pain during sexual intercourse

• Reduced or absent orgasms

• Challenges with bowel movements

• Vulvovaginal pain and burning

• Discomfort while sitting

Gender-Affirming Care

• Discomfort arising from surgical scars

• Pain during vaginal penetration

• Challenges or inability to achieve vaginal penetration

• Difficulty in achieving orgasm, or complete inability to do so

• Urinary issues, such as urgency, frequent urination, hesitancy, incontinence, and spraying

• Pain in the pelvic area

• Pain in the chest and back regions

• Pain in the shoulders

Cyclists

• Numbness or pain in the perineal area

• Pudendal nerve irritation

• Weakened pelvic floor muscles

• Overactive or tight pelvic floor muscles

• Lower back pain

• Hip imbalance or tightness

• Urinary problems: urinary tract discomfort, urinary urgency, or even infections

• Sexual dysfunction: In some cases, particularly with an improper saddle or poor bike fit, male cyclists might experience issues like erectile dysfunction, while female cyclists might experience pain during sexual activity

Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy is an out-of-network provider so does not directly accept insurance or Medicare. For PPO insurance holders, we issue a super bill, enabling you to seek reimbursement from your insurer. A superbill can help you recover a significant portion of your visit costs – typically between 30% to 90% depending on your plan. For details on your potential reimbursement, reach out to your insurance provider directly. Additionally, our clinic accepts HSA/FSA payments.

As an out-of-network provider, Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy offers several key benefits compared to in-network providers:

1. Highest Quality of Care: Without the pressure to see a high volume of patients dictated by insurance reimbursement rates, Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy concentrates on delivering the highest quality of care.

2. Reduced Administrative Burden: Less time dealing with insurance paperwork means more time dedicated to patient care.

3. Personalized Care: We can create highly individualized treatment plans without being constrained by insurance protocols, focusing on what’s truly best for the patient.

4. Access to a Broader Range of Treatments: As an out-of-network provider, Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy isn’t restricted by insurance companies' preferred treatment methods, allowing us to offer a wider array of therapies that may not be covered by in-network providers.

5. Extended Sessions: As an out-of-network provider, Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy has the flexibility to offer longer and more in-depth sessions, allowing for comprehensive assessments and treatments tailored to each client’s unique needs.

6. Direct Patient-Provider Relationship: Clients often appreciate the direct relationship with our practice, fostering trust and better communication, leading to improved outcomes.

7. Enhanced Continuity of Care: As an out-of-network provider, we can ensure continuity of care without the interruptions that might occur if a patient’s insurance changes or if they hit limits on covered visits.

At Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy, you’re more than a policy number—you’re a person deserving personalized, effective care that puts your health first.

No, in California, you do not need a referral from your medical doctor to see a physical therapist – you have “direct access” to our services so can make an appointment at anytime.

Your choice depends on the specific treatment you’re seeking:

• For Women’s Health: You can schedule with any of our therapists—Aly, Sonia, Jess, or Tanya—all of whom are experts in this area.

• For Men’s Health: Schedule with Jess. She is our go-to expert for pelvic issues in men.

• For Pediatric Health: Schedule with Sonia. She specializes in treating a variety of pediatric pelvic health issues, particularly in helping children with bladder or bowel control problems.

• For Gender-Affirming Care: Schedule with Jess or Aly. They have extensive experience in treating pelvic health issues within the transgender and gender non-conforming community.

At your initial appointment, we will start by taking your medical history, followed by a comprehensive musculoskeletal examination of your pelvic area. This will include assessing your posture, joint alignment, any muscle restrictions or trigger points, the health of your connective tissue, and muscular strength. An internal examination is often part of this process, but it's entirely optional and will only be conducted if you feel completely comfortable with it. This exam is much more relaxed and comfortable compared to a typical ob/gyn visit, and it provides essential information about your pelvic muscle tone, strength, and coordination. If impairments are found during the exam the physical therapist can treat the problems with manual therapy techniques resulting in pain relief and improved function. Following the exam, we'll discuss our findings with you and outline a personalized treatment plan aimed at achieving the best results. Most patients start feeling better after their first session and see significant improvement by their third visit.

Life happens! If you need to reschedule your appointment you can do so online through the Patient Portal as long as it is 24 hours before your appointment.

If you're feeling unwell or unable to attend your appointment due to other reasons, you have the option to switch your in-person visit to a telehealth session. To arrange this, simply email your physical therapist, and they will convert your appointment to a telehealth format.

Appointment cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to your appointment start time. Late cancellations will be charged for half of the amount of the appointment. For your convenience, cancellations can be made directly through our booking system. If you encounter any difficulties online, don't hesitate to call, email, or text us. As a small business, late cancellations affect us significantly. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!

Additionally, if you're ill or unable to attend your appointment for other reasons, you can opt to change your in-person session to a telehealth appointment. Just email your physical therapist, and they will make the necessary adjustments to switch your session to a telehealth format.

You are able to access your account using the Patient Portal.

Also, for reference there is a ‘Patient Portal’ link in the site header.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that treats pelvic pain, pregnancy and postpartum issues, bladder/bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and a lot more.

In simple terms, imagine a supportive bowl of muscles situated between your hips, cradling your organs like the bladder, rectum, and uterus (if present). Various issues can arise with these muscles and their connecting nerves. When these muscles and nerves are out of sync, it can lead to a cascade of problems. These muscles might be overly tight, weak, in spasm, or laden with scar tissue, hindering their ability to function correctly. For instance, one in three new mothers report bowel and bladder issues post-delivery, and about half experience pelvic pain in the subsequent months. These issues don't just disappear on their own, and many suffer silently, accepting this as their "new normal." Some turn to medications and surgeries for solutions.

However, as pelvic floor physical therapists, we adopt a different approach. We use hands-on techniques to work directly on the muscles, tissues, and nerves that require attention. This empowers you to actively participate in your healing process. Our clinical expertise, combined with your body's natural healing capabilities, works to address and resolve these intimate problems.

During an internal exam, we often find that people think they’re squeezing their pelvic floor muscles, but actually they’re pushing open. Other common imbalances are that people think, for example, they may be too “loose,” but in reality, their pelvic floor muscles are unable to relax and too tight, causing pelvic pain and discomfort. In these cases, people may feel discomfort like that of a tight muscle, similar to if you’re toughing a tight trap near your neck. Other times, one side of the pelvic floor may be tighter than the other, or one side more tender. The generic cure-all for pelvic floor dysfunction, kegels (or as we call them, blueberries), can actually hurt more than they help, as some people are doing the exercise incorrectly or they may be too tight, in which case kegels could be contributing to more muscle tenderness.

The number of sessions required varies based on the nature and severity of your condition. Typically, for most pelvic floor concerns, patients notice improvement after the initial session and significant progress by the third visit!

If you have a baby vaginally, there’s probably a lot of stretch in your pelvic floor area. Your PT will check to see how your core and pelvic floor coordinate together. Even if you have had a c-section, your provider may still check the pelvic floor, especially if you pushed for a long time before delivering the baby, and definitely if you’re having any pelvic issues or dysfunction. They will also check your incision, teach you scar mobilization, and show you how to connect to that deep core again, just like you would after any surgery.

Absolutely, we understand that mothers juggle many responsibilities, and worrying about childcare shouldn't add to that stress. Feel free to bring your kids to our clinic. Please note that only infants in strollers can accompany you in the treatment room.

Also, for your initial appointment, we recommend arranging childcare if possible. This allows you to concentrate on discussing your health history and physical therapy goals.

Yes, we offer specific pediatric services, focusing mainly on bladder and bowel issues like bedwetting and constipation.

Note we do not conduct internal examinations or treatments on individuals under 18 years old; all our pediatric treatments are external.

For pediatric appointments, we recommend scheduling with Sonia Sharma, who specializes in this area.

Your comfort and confidence during your visit is our priority. Wear what makes you feel best. While some patients opt to bring a change of clothes from work, it's entirely your choice. Please know there's no strict dress code here. We're thrilled to have you with us!

It’s completely normal to be nervous. But we have gloves on, so even if that happens, we don’t really care!

If you're menstruating, please don't worry—it's perfectly okay to come in. As pelvic floor physical therapists, we use nitrile gloves, ensuring a hygienic environment. Rest assured, you'll be covered with a sheet during the session. Furthermore, depending on your preference, you do not even need to remove your tampon if you're using one.

That's an excellent question, and it's a procedure we frequently perform. While women have two points of entry, men have just the anus for this type of exam. The process is carried out with gloves, and you'll likely be positioned on your side, which tends to be more gentle. Occasionally, women also undergo this same rectal exam. Addressing bowel dysfunction is completely within our expertise at Healthy Pelvis PT. During the exam, we'd switch to a new pair of gloves and ask you to contract and then relax. It's common to discover issues in the sphincter region, such as insufficient strength in contractions or excessive tightness leading to difficulty relaxing.

Yes, absolutely! You can buy a gift card here.