“I’m embarrassed to tell anyone about this.”
Bladder leakage. Gas and stool incontinence. Constipation. Pelvic organ prolapse or “bladder drop”. Pain with sex.
This is what I treat every single day. While none of these things are “normal”, they are clearly common enough to be my full time job. These are often topics people are afraid to bring up with their physicians and even their partners and closest friends, and I fully understand how personal these conversations can be.
We offer no commitment consults so you can come in, talk about your situation and see our facility and meet the PT with the hopes that this can ease any anxieties about pelvic physical therapy. We’re a small business and you won’t sit in a waiting room full of people before your appointments.
“I don’t have the time.”
Time is often viewed as the biggest barrier to a lot of things, including happiness. Chances are if you are experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, that is also getting in the way of your happiness. It causes us to avoid social settings, certain clothes and activities. Most pelvic floor PT plans of care are 4-12 weeks long. That time is going to pass regardless of what you do to change your current situation.
We can work with you when it comes to scheduling, finding times that you can commit to. If childcare is a concern, you are welcome to bring your children with you. We want PT to fit your life so you can get back to doing all the things you want to do.
On the flip side of that, the time you spend in your PT session is completely yours. For one hour, the focus is entirely on you and your goals. How often do you get an opportunity like that? Additionally, you have access to your PT via email so that between sessions you can always ask questions to make sure your progress continues.
“It’s probably too late for me.”
I have seen pelvic floor patients from ages 17 to 87. Pelvic floor dysfunction can happen at any time, to anyone. Unfortunately, most people are not seen in a timely manner due to stigma regarding symptoms as well as general awareness that there is help for what they are experiencing. Often patients tell me that their symptoms started decades before they actually get to pelvic PT.
If you feel like it is too late for you to see changes in your pelvic floor function, what that should really mean is we shouldn’t waste any more time getting you the care you deserve.
“It will cost too much money.”
Many pelvic PTs have had to go the cash based or out of network option because of how insurance companies operate. Reimbursement rates continue to drop and most healthcare companies want PTs seeing 2, 3, and sometimes 4 patients an hour in order to make the most money possible. For all PT disciplines, multitasking to that extreme significantly reduces the quality of care. For pelvic PTs specifically, it is not possible to see more than one person at a time due to the nature of our conversations and assessments.
A pelvic PT also attends extensive continuing education beyond the doctorate of physical therapy degree in order to treat this population. It is a level of training not otherwise offered in any other setting.
We understand that finances and budgeting are unique to each individual. Our office manager, Nicole, can look into your specific insurance to help determine if you have out of network benefits and what the costs will be. If you are going to be private pay, we offer financial packages for the pregnant and postpartum populations who know they will need care over a longer course of time as their situation changes and progresses.
When most people think of PT, they assume 2-3x a week for 6-12 weeks. At Resolve, you will likely only come in for a pelvic PT appointment once every 1-2 weeks. Because we have one-hour 1:1 appointments, you are able to progress more quickly than in standard physical therapy where your therapist is working with several people at a time.
