First published
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a set of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that stretches like a hammock from the pubic bone to the tailbone. It supports the bladder, bowel and, in women, the uterus, and plays a key part in core stability, bladder and bowel control and sexual function.
What is pelvic floor physiotherapy?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy assesses and treats problems with these muscles. Rather than general exercise, it targets the specific issue: strengthening muscles that are weak, or helping muscles that are too tight or overactive to relax. It is a non-surgical, evidence-based approach.
Who it can help
Many people put up with pelvic health problems, thinking they are a normal part of ageing or a permanent result of childbirth. Often they are treatable.
- Bladder and bowel control. Leaking when you sneeze or jump (stress incontinence), or a sudden strong urge to go (urgency), can improve as the muscles are retrained.
- Pelvic pain. Persistent pelvic pain is often linked to muscles that cannot relax. Manual therapy and relaxation techniques can ease pain in the pelvis, hips and lower back.
- Pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Physiotherapy helps with abdominal separation (diastasis recti) and a safe return to exercise after birth.
- Men's pelvic health. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is also used for pelvic pain, prostatitis symptoms and recovery after prostate surgery.
- Sexual function. When pelvic floor muscles are involved in pain during intercourse, physiotherapy can help by normalizing muscle tone.
What to expect at an appointment
Your comfort and privacy come first. A first visit starts with a private conversation about your history and symptoms, then a physical assessment that may include posture, hip movement and how your core and pelvic floor work together. Any internal assessment is explained beforehand and only done with your consent. You leave with a plan, often with exercises to start at home. Pelvic floor physiotherapy →
About this article
This article is general information, not a diagnosis; book an assessment for advice about your own situation.
