Many things can contribute to your overall bladder health -How much water you drink, what you consume, how you use the bathroom, and if you are pushing down and pressuring the bladder all affect the function and health of your bladder and urinary functions! I know--So much more than we were ever taught!

Many people that experience bladder discomfort, frequent irritation, or discomfort with urination take to Google and Reddit, ending up panicked over the possibility of IC/BPS. Don’t fret- we have helped many people walk this journey- and can often eliminate symptoms before needing to go for testing. American Urological Association gives the highest efficacy rating to pelvic floor therapy in dealing with symptoms, above most medications or procedures.

Many people are shocked to hear that our hormones have anything to do with pelvic pain while others find this to be no surprise. Let’s level the playing field. Many people are shocked to hear that our hormones have anything to do with pelvic pain while others find this to be no surprise. Let’s level the playing field. Now just because you identify with one of the life phases or medication history listed does not mean you 100% have or will have pain anywhere in your vulva or vagina. However, there are a large number of people that do and will. This discrepancy may be due to other factors, such as our personal biology. We strongly believe that building an awareness of how our bodies work can help set the stage for wellness throughout the lifespan, help us with asking productive questions at doctor’s visits, and support our medical decision making throughout all of life’s transitions.

Have you ever wondered why so many women opt for black leggings at the gym? We never wondered either until we became pelvic floor therapists. Now, all we can see is a sea of black leggings whenever we walk into a HIIT class, barre, yoga, or our favorite studio. Many people will shy away from lighter, colored leggings or pants for fear of possible urinary leakage during their workout. Some people say they cannot tell if they’ve leaked or are just sweating, so they wear a darker color just to be safe. As pelvic floor therapists, we are all about helping you feel like you do not need to live your life “just playing it safe.” Let’s pull the cobwebs off those Lululemon leggings in the bottom of the drawer and get you feeling your best – wearing whatever you want, whenever you want.

When it comes to cancer, pelvic floor therapy is often the last thing on someone’s mind. This often holds true until a cancer survivor is perhaps trying to reestablish intimacy or a sex life with their partner after invasive medical treatments, tremendous stress, role changes from partner to caregiver and back to partner, bladder and bowel fluctuations, and immense bodily changes through treatment and healing. This is often when we get the call from clients that are going through this experience, wondering if this is where they should turn next for support. If you are curious if pelvic floor therapy can help you at your stage in your cancer journey, the answer is yes! We would be honored to share more information on how we can help.

The question we hear perhaps the most often is different versions of, “Why does it hurt down there?” Many women are rather unfamiliar with their own anatomy when it comes to their vagina and vulva. The vulva often gets breezed right over or is not discussed at all until there is some sort of issue. Many women are not aware that the vulva consists of the external structures of the female genitalia, while the vagina is the canal that leads up to the cervix. There are many different areas of the vulva, which we will outline below in hopes of improving understanding for not just when there is an issue or things go wrong, but for when we want things to go right! 

If you are living with IC/BPS or symptoms of this condition, we first and foremost want you to know that you are not alone. IC used to only be diagnosed following a cystoscopy confirming Hunner’s lesions in the bladder. However, we now know that you can have valid symptoms and diagnosis of IC/BPS without having these lesions on the bladder. In fact, your bladder can look completely “fine” on a cystoscopy and you could still have IC/BPS if you meet the symptom criteria described above. This is the case for the majority of people with IC/BPS! Many people with this condition actually have pelvic floor dysfunction driving their symptoms and not bladder lesions or pathology. This may help you to understand why pelvic floor therapy is a primary treatment approach as listed in the AUA guidelines for IC/BPS. 

There is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to pelvic pain. One thing that can be extremely helpful in the path towards healing pelvic pain is gaining an understanding of the pain cycle. This can help to affirm that “No, it is not all in your head!” There is a very real physiological reason for your pelvic pain.

Sometimes what started as a seemingly unrelated incident, such as a fall on your tailbone in childhood, could have set the stage for pelvic floor pain and issues down the line that maybe did not encroach on your daily life until another incident (childbirth, menopause, a hip injury, etc.) brought it to light. It could even be years later when it seems like suddenly all of your pelvic pain began when truly you may be experiencing or noticing the tip of the iceberg when the foundation has been crafted over the past several years. Once you add the pain cycle into that mix, the challenge may seem insurmountable to overcome.

So often we hear our clients concerned about feeling or seeing a bulge down there, at times clients report the sensation of something “falling out”. Yes- pelvic therapy helps prolapse! Yes- you can avoid surgery for most cases of prolapse! Our pelvic floor physical and occupational therapists are well-versed in Pelvic Organ Prolapse or POP, and can help!

Navigating the search for a pelvic floor therapist can feel overwhelming. Whether referred by a doctor or inspired by social media, the process involves sifting through options and evaluating credentials. At Bloom Pelvic Therapy, our dedicated team specializes solely in pelvic floor care, ensuring expert treatment tailored to your needs. Discover what sets us apart and why personalized, attentive therapy is crucial for reclaiming your quality of life.

Discover the causes and symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) and effective (and ways to stay away from) in treating your urinary leaking. Kegels? Emsella? Whole Body Movement?- What is the right thing to do?! We answer all the questions and point you in the right direction.

Dyspareunia causes penetration to be painful, especially in the beginning or with movement. For some people, pain associated with vaginismus is mild. For others, it is unbearable. This could be experienced during intimacy, when inserting a tampon, or during medical pelvic exams. It is possible to experience pain with sex but not have trouble with a tampon, each person is different.

The pelvic floor is a crucial yet often overlooked part of the body. The pelvic floor is the group of muscles, nerves, and connective tissues that create a hammock at the base of the pelvis, playing a vital role. Pelvic floor therapy assesses and corrects deficits associated with movement, strength, pain, tension. Understand pelvic floor therapy's role in alleviating issues like urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.

You can go straight to a pelvic floor therapist for relief of your pelvic pain. A pelvic floor therapist is a physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) that specializes specifically in pelvic health. In other words, they are not seeing clients with shoulder or ankle injuries and then seeing some clients with pelvic related concerns on the side here and there. Pelvic floor therapists at Bloom Pelvic Therapy spend their entire day solely working with clients with pelvic floor conditions.

In an evaluation at Bloom Pelvic Therapy, you will spend at least 1 hour with your pelvic floor therapist to share your story and finally be heard. Clear answers start with having the opportunity to share details of your concern in a safe and comfortable setting where you are not rushed or dismissed. You will leave each visit with tasks or exercises to start relieving your pelvic pain- sometimes this looks like stretching, sometimes movement or strengthing, at times we recommend vaginal dilators or pelvic wands- all of these we discuss in session, make sure you are comfortable and confident!

Labor Prep : Where is the best place? Pelvic floor therapy! When it comes to optimizing the mother’s experience through labor and healing postpartum, pelvic floor therapy is one of the best things moms can do during pregnancy. We cannot begin to tell you how often we hear from our postpartum clients that they wished they had come in during pregnancy to get ahead of some of their concerns. Kegels are not in, and will not help prepare- pelvic therapy looks beyond, helping you move and deliver your baby with confidence & comfort.

Pelvic floor physical therapists and occupational therapists are known for championing the care of their patients with endo (or suspected endo), minimizing symptoms, and getting people back to living their fullest lives. Pelvic floor therapists are specialists in treating the pelvic floor and pelvic pain related conditions, such as endo.

Pelvic floor therapy is for all people: men, women, boys & girls. Seldom do we consider what our children’s pelvic floor health is like or if their toileting habits are healthy, often not considering until there is difficulty.

Pelvic floor therapy addressed a number of aspects for the pediatric population including: bedwetting (noctural enuresis), pee accidents after potty training, not wanting to use the toilet, constipation or trouble consistently having an easy bowel movement, needing to go pee or poop very frequently or urgently. Often times the pelvic floor and our habits are a main driver of this very easily correctable issue.

While pelvic exams, pap smears, and other gynecological examinations may not be the most comfortable, it is not "normal" to be in pain during these visits. If you have found that these exams are painful for you, consider these options to help you feel more comfortable in the moment and consider connecting with a pelvic health specialist to find more long-term relief.