how to become a pelvic health physical therapist

pelvic health physical therapist

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen is a specialist area of physiotherapy dealing with conditions that affect the muscles, ligaments and internal organs in the pelvic region. It is a type of physical therapy that can help alleviate pain, improve function, and restore the integrity of the pelvic muscles. This may involve using manual therapy, such as massage, electrotherapy (ultrasound and interferential), acupuncture, manipulation, mobilization and exercise prescription. It may also involve education about your condition and liaising with other health professionals involved in your care.

Many individuals who seek pelvic health physiotherapy treatment are seeking relief from painful conditions like incontinence and prolapsed pelvic organs. Others are recovering from childbirth or post-partum recovery. Still others are working to prevent future injuries. The goal is to treat and manage the symptoms of these and other issues with a focus on treating the whole person.

There is no one path to becoming a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen. Some physical therapists complete a pelvic specialty residency and some take continuing education courses in pelvic health to develop the necessary skills. Regardless of the route you choose, you will need to be licensed as either a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant in order to perform pelvic health examinations, diagnose, and prescribe treatment. Check your state’s practice act to determine what is required for licensure in pelvic rehabilitation.

how to become a pelvic health physical therapist

Once you have a license, it is a good idea to join a national professional association, such as the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, which is part of the American Physical Therapy Association. This will give you a chance to network with other pelvic health physical therapists, share best practices and learn from those with more experience. It is also a great way to stay up to date on current techniques and research in the field.

During your initial consultation with a pelvic health physiotherapist, there will be an hour of assessment where your history will be taken along with the musculoskeletal and biomechanical assessment. The physiotherapist will then explain the findings of the examination and discuss your treatment options, which will include both short and long-term goals.

Your treatment will likely start with a gentle massage of the muscles in and around your pelvic region. This is known as myofascial release and is used to relax the tight muscles in your pelvic region. This is combined with specific exercises to improve the strength and flexibility of the pelvic floor muscles. Often these exercises will be done in conjunction with the use of a specialised device called a dilator, which is small tube-shaped tool that emits low-voltage electrical impulses to stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

In some cases, your pelvic health physiotherapist may refer you for a scan such as an ultrasound or CT scan to gain more detailed information about the muscles and tissues in the pelvic region and how they function. These tools will be able to identify any abnormalities or structural issues, which may then be used as guidance for your pelvic rehabilitation program.