Bianca Saad, PT, DPT

In PT school, I learned the anatomy and movement associated with just about every joint of the body. But when it came to the pelvis, there was a surprising lack of information. From a scientific vantage point, this made no sense to me. And as someone who was really interested in pelvic health, it simply was not good enough. After all, the pelvis is the epicenter of so many important bodily functions: birth, pregnancy, bowel and bladder function, and sex. I have learned so much in my quest to truly understand the pelvis and it has been an adventure that I have grown to love to treat and talk about.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor or pelvic health PT restores and/or improves the functions of the pelvis, including organ support, spine support, and urinary, fecal, and sexual function. These wildly important tasks are enabled by healthy pelvic floor muscles, which connect the pelvis from front to back and side to side. Since we all have a pelvis, pelvic health physical therapy can encompass an array of symptoms for all genders and gender identities.

Some symptoms of dysfunction at the level of the pelvis.

There is actually quite a big list of symptoms, some of which you may have or may not have heard. Symptoms that can indicate pelvic diaphragm dysfunction include the following: 

• Pain in the lower back, pelvic girdle, sacroiliac joint, sacrum, or even hip 
• Urinary or fecal incontinence
• Difficulty initiating a flow of urine or a bowel movement
• An inability to fully empty the bowel or bladder when toileting 
• A constant urge to urinate. 
• Pain or dryness with sexual intercourse
• Anorgasmia (difficulty reaching orgasm)
• Painful ejaculation

How about those Kegels though? (Hint…don’t get me started)

If you have read any online resource about pelvic health, you have likely found plentiful information about Kegels. But I am here to share this important information: Kegels are not the end all, be all for pelvic health. You also need to address mobility and strength of the legs, three-dimensional strength of the pelvic floor muscles, and even how to relax the pelvic floor (which is the opposite of a Kegel). There is no better place to learn the information about what your body needs than with a knowledgeable pelvic health PT. 

And now the shameless plug 🙂

I am proud to bring a ton of knowledge to this pelvic health specialty, including a certification as a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, with a subspecialty in Obstetrics Physical Therapy. I am excited to help you feel better and understand the anatomy of your pelvis better.