What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that create a sling from the pubic bone to the tailbone. Interwoven between bones and connective tissues, they function to support pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, intestines and uterus in women ), maintain continence, enhance sexual appreciation, and improve core strength and stability for back support.

When pelvic floor muscles are functioning at an optimal level, they work with the diaphragm, deep abdominals and back stabilizer muscles to provide support and stability with dynamic movement as you participate in your activities of daily living.

What is pelvic health physical therapy?

Pelvic health is a specialty practice in physical therapy, and it means your therapist is trained to treat conditions related to pelvic floor dysfunction. This may include performing myofascial release to the pelvic floor muscles or teaching you how to strengthen and use them properly for improved function (ie resolution of symptoms such as incontinence or pain).

Having “strong” pelvic floor muscles and doing kegels is not enough to maintain continence and core stability. In fact, sometimes pelvic floor muscles can be too active causing pain and dysfunction. Often this occurs because the other core muscles are weak or uncoordinated and the pelvic floor is compensating to improve pelvic stability and alignment.

Functional training of the pelvic floor muscles allows them to appropriately co-activate with other muscles in a balanced manner to provide optimal pelvic alignment and muscle function. Sometime pelvic floor rehabilitation means down training the pelvic floor muscles and up training or strengthening other muscles such as the diaphragm, glutes, hips and abdominals.

Do you treat men and/or transgender/non-binary folk?

Yes!! Connect NW Physical Therapy is a safe and welcoming place for all people. Pelvic health is often misnomered as "women’s health," but all people have a pelvic floor and anyone can suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. At Connect NW Physical Therapy & Wellness, we treat all pelvic floor issues for any person. Check out our

What happens during the first visit?

The initial evaluation is all about developing a clear understanding of the problem you are experiencing and coming up with a plan together. Your therapist will spend time listening to your story and talking with you about your symptoms and your goals. In order to gain as much information about potential causes of the problem, your therapist will ask you specific questions that may shed light on the source of the issue.

After a thorough review of your history, your therapist may perform a physical evaluation. This may include assessment of movement patterns, posture, tissue and joint integrity and application of specific diagnostic tests and measures to rule in and rule out possible culprits of your pain or dysfunction.

With pelvic floor dysfunction, an internal pelvic floor assessment is often the most direct and effective assessment and treatment approach. This will always be discussed with you, and it may not happen the first visit- you get decide together!

If direct pelvic floor assessment is not an option for you, there are other external pelvic floor assessment methods including use of biofeedback. Additionally, dysfunction in other parts of the body such as the hips or back may be contributing to pelvic floor issues and will also be addressed.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

Washington state is a direct access state meaning you are not required to have a referral to get physical therapy treatment, HOWEVER, most insurance companies DO require a referral in order for the service to be covered.

If you are seeking direct accesss/Out-of-Network (OON)care, we do not require a referral but if you would like to submit an OON claim to you insurance, you need to find out from your insurance company if it is required for your OON benefits.

Do you take my insurance?

We are in-network with Regence, HMA and select BCBS plans. For all other insurance providers, we are out-of-network (OON) providers. This means you will pay a flat rate at the time of service, and we will provide a superbill for your to submit for direct reimbursement if you have OON benefits.

What does it mean to be out-of-network (OON)?

As an out-of-network (OON) provider, Connect NW Physical Therapy & Wellness is not contracted with your insurance company. Some insurance companies have out of network benefits, and we are happy to provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurace for reinbursement. You will pay at the time of service and Connect NW Physical Therapy & Wellness will provide you with a receipt/superbill to submit.

If I am OON will I pay more for physical therapy?

This depends on your insurance plan. If you have a high deductible plan, sometimes you end up paying LESS with an OON provider than you would with an in-network provider. Typically, if you are seeing an in-network providers and you have not met your deductible you are responsible for paying the billed or insurance contracted amount which can be anywhere from $150-$300 for a 30-45 minute session.

As OON providers, we are able to offer a flate rate, so cost is transparent. At Connect NW Physical Therapy & Wellness, you will always receive 60 minutes of one-on-one hands on treatment with your therapist, and you will always know the cost per session.

What are your private pay rates?

• Initial Evaluation (60 min): $200
• Follow ups (60 min): $175