If you’ve been living with pelvic pain, leaking when you cough or run, or a constant feeling of pressure or tension, you already know how much it can take over your day. Maybe it makes the commute into a downtown Ottawa office unbearable, or keeps you from the trails you love. Many people put off seeking help because they feel embarrassed or aren’t sure what treatment involves.
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep pushing through. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a safe, evidence-based way to address the root cause of your symptoms. Knowing what happens at your first visit can make it far less intimidating, so here is what to expect when you see Mary Bishai.
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy, and Who Is It For?
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits like a supportive hammock at the base of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, help control continence, and work with your core and hips to stabilize your body.
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that assesses and treats these muscles. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t only for postpartum women. People of all genders and ages benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy, including those dealing with:
- Pelvic, hip, or lower back pain
- Urinary leakage or urgency
- Constipation or bowel concerns
- Pain during intercourse
- Pregnancy-related discomfort or postpartum recovery
- Persistent tailbone or groin pain
Why Does Pelvic Pain Happen?
Many people assume a weak pelvic floor is the problem, but the opposite is often true. Muscles can be too tight, too weak, or poorly coordinated.
Chronic stress and long hours of sitting. If you spend eight hours a day at a desk downtown, your hip flexors tighten and your pelvic floor can hold tension it never gets to release. Stress adds to this, since many of us unconsciously clench these muscles when we’re anxious.
Pregnancy and childbirth. The pelvic floor stretches and works hard during pregnancy and delivery, and it doesn’t always bounce back without guidance.
Overuse or poor movement patterns. Whether you’re hiking the steep trails of Gatineau Park, running along the Rideau Canal, or lifting weights, poor breathing and bracing habits can strain the pelvic floor over time.
Understanding the “why” matters because treatment that targets the true cause works far better than simply doing more Kegels, which can actually worsen a tight pelvic floor.
What Happens During Your First Assessment
Step 1: A Conversation, Not a Rush
Your visit begins with a private, unhurried discussion. Mary will ask about your symptoms, medical history, daily habits, and goals. You are in control throughout, and nothing happens without your understanding and consent. There are no silly questions here.
Step 2: A Physical Movement Assessment
Next comes an evaluation of your posture, breathing, hips, spine, and core. Because the pelvic floor works as part of a larger system, this often reveals contributing factors like stiff hips or shallow breathing patterns.
Step 3: The Pelvic Floor Examination (Only If You’re Comfortable)
Depending on your symptoms and your comfort level, an internal examination may be recommended to assess muscle tone, strength, and coordination. This is always optional, fully explained beforehand, and can be done at your pace. In some cases, a thorough external assessment is enough to begin. You can pause or stop at any time.
Step 4: Your Personalized Plan
You’ll leave with a clear explanation of what’s going on and a treatment plan tailored to you. This may include manual therapy, breathing retraining, movement strategies, and a simple home program.
Is the Emsella Chair Right for You?
Depending on your assessment findings, your plan may include technology-assisted options such as the Emsella chair at CN Physiotherapy. You stay fully clothed and sit comfortably while the chair uses electromagnetic energy to stimulate deep pelvic floor muscle contractions. It’s most often considered for people with urinary leakage or weak pelvic floor muscles. It isn’t suitable for everyone, particularly if your muscles are too tight or you have certain medical conditions or implants, which is why an assessment always comes first. Mary can tell you whether it fits your goals. [Learn more about Emsella at CN Physiotherapy →]
Three Safe Tips You Can Try at Home
These gentle strategies suit most people, but stop if anything increases your pain, and check with your physiotherapist first if you’re pregnant, postpartum, or have a diagnosed condition.
- Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place one hand on your belly and inhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly rise and your pelvic floor relax and soften. Exhale gently. Repeat for 5 minutes daily. This is a foundation of pelvic floor therapy.
- Child’s pose. Kneel on the floor, sit back toward your heels, and stretch your arms forward, letting your knees spread comfortably. Breathe deeply and hold for 30 to 60 seconds. This releases tension in the hips and pelvic floor.
- Happy baby stretch. Lie on your back, draw your knees toward your armpits, and hold your feet or ankles. Gently rock side to side while breathing slowly. It’s an excellent stretch after a long day at your desk or a weekend hike.
When Should You Book an Appointment?
Don’t wait until symptoms become unbearable. Pain, leakage, and pressure are common, but they are not something you simply have to accept. Early assessment often leads to faster, more lasting relief.
Book Your Pelvic Floor Assessment at CN Physiotherapy
Ready to take the first step toward feeling like yourself again? Mary Bishai and the team at CN Physiotherapy provide compassionate, professional pelvic floor physiotherapy at our clinics in Ottawa and Orléans, so quality care is close to home or work.
We also offer direct billing to most insurance providers, making it easier to focus on your recovery rather than paperwork.
Contact CN Physiotherapy today to book your personalized pelvic floor assessment.
Relief starts with a conversation.
