What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that sit at the base of your pelvis. These muscles do a lot more than most people realize — they support your bladder, bowel, and uterus, play a key role in core stability, and are closely connected to your sexual health and overall comfort.
When pelvic floor muscles are too weak, too tight, or not coordinating the way they should, everyday activities like laughing, sneezing, exercising, or being intimate can become uncomfortable or stressful. Many women quietly live with these symptoms for years — assuming it is just a normal part of having children or getting older.
It is not something you simply have to accept. Pelvic floor physiotherapy at Lambton Physiotherapy & Rehab in Sarnia uses gentle, evidence-based techniques to help restore proper function — always with dignity, respect, and care for your comfort.
1 in 3
Women experience a pelvic floor disorder at some point in their lives
80%
Of pelvic floor problems can be significantly improved with targeted physiotherapy
Any Age
Effective treatment is possible even years after childbirth or surgery
No Surgery
Most conditions treated successfully without surgical intervention
Conditions We Treat
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help with a wide range of concerns. If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify, call us for a free phone consultation — we will be straightforward with you about whether we can help.
Bladder & Bowel Concerns
- Leaking urine when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise (stress urinary incontinence)
- Strong, sudden urges to urinate or going far too frequently
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- Constipation or difficulty with bowel control
Pelvic Pain & Intimacy
- Ongoing pelvic pressure, heaviness, or pain
- Pain during or after intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Vaginismus
- Endometriosis-related discomfort
- Tailbone pain and hip-related pelvic pain
Pregnancy & Postpartum Recovery
- Pelvic girdle pain or pubic symphysis pain during pregnancy
- Postpartum recovery after vaginal delivery
- C-section scar healing and recovery
- Episiotomy recovery
- Core weakness after childbirth and safe return to exercise
Core & Abdominal Dysfunction
- Diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation)
- Pelvic instability or lower back pain related to the pelvic floor
- Poor core control or coordination affecting daily function
- Difficulty returning to lifting or high-impact activities
Hormonal & Life-Stage Changes
- Pelvic organ prolapse (bladder, uterine, or rectal prolapse)
- Post-menopausal pelvic discomfort and tissue changes
- Vaginal dryness-related pain
- Gradual weakening of pelvic support over time
Not Sure If This Is For You?
- Call us for a free phone consultation. We will be straightforward with you about whether we can help.
- (519) 333-9687
You do not have to just live with it. These are recognized medical conditions, and effective treatment is available right here in Sarnia at Lambton Physiotherapy & Rehab.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
We understand that pelvic health appointments can feel daunting. Here is exactly what happens at your first session, so there are no surprises.
1
A Private, Respectful Conversation
Your appointment begins with a relaxed, completely confidential discussion about your symptoms, your medical history, and your personal goals. Nothing is rushed. We want to fully understand your situation before anything else.
2
Education About Your Pelvic Floor
Your physiotherapist will explain how the pelvic floor works and why your symptoms may be happening. Understanding your own body is the foundation of lasting improvement.
3
Assessment of Pelvic Floor Function
We assess pelvic floor muscle strength, tone, and coordination using techniques appropriate for your condition — always with your full consent. Internal assessments are never mandatory and only performed if you are comfortable.
4
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
You leave with a clear, individualized plan that may include gentle manual therapy, targeted exercises, breathing techniques, and practical strategies for daily life. We make sure you understand every step before you head home.
Important to know about your care:
- Internal assessments are never mandatory — external-only treatment is always an option
- Your consent is confirmed at every step of the process
- You may pause or stop at any point, for any reason
- Your comfort and dignity come first, always
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
- Reduce or eliminate bladder leaks
- Relieve pelvic pain and pressure
- Recover faster after pregnancy and childbirth
- Heal diastasis recti and rebuild core strength
- Improve sexual comfort and intimacy
- Manage and reduce pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
- Return safely to exercise, sport, and lifting
- Reduce discomfort related to menopause
- Avoid or delay the need for surgery
- Regain confidence in your body
Why Choose Lambton Physiotherapy & Rehab in Sarnia?
We are not a volume clinic. At Lambton Physiotherapy & Rehab, every patient receives one-on-one time with a registered physiotherapist who is genuinely invested in your progress — not a shared gym floor, not rotating staff.
- Registered, experienced physiotherapists
- Personalized, one-on-one treatment every visit
- State-of-the-art clinic equipment
- Private, supportive environment
- Direct billing to most insurance providers
- WSIB and MVA claims accepted
- Free phone consultation available
- Serving Sarnia and surrounding communities
Our team combines manual therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, IFC, ultrasound, laser, shockwave therapy, and exercise-based rehabilitation — so your pelvic floor treatment is supported by the full range of tools available to a modern physiotherapy clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pelvic floor physiotherapy safe during pregnancy?
Yes, absolutely. Prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy is safe throughout pregnancy and can be highly beneficial. It helps address pelvic girdle pain, prepares your body for labour and delivery, and teaches you how to protect your pelvic floor as your body changes. Many women find it significantly reduces discomfort and improves their overall pregnancy experience.
Do I have to have an internal examination?
No. Internal assessments are completely optional and are only ever performed with your full, informed consent. Many conditions can be effectively assessed and treated using external techniques alone. Your comfort comes first, and you will never be pressured into any assessment you are not comfortable with.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your specific condition, how long you have had symptoms, and your personal goals. Some patients notice meaningful improvement within 4 to 6 sessions; others with more complex or long-standing issues benefit from a longer program. Your physiotherapist will give you a realistic estimate at your first appointment and update your plan as you progress.
Will my extended health insurance cover this?
In most cases, yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is covered under the physiotherapy benefit of most extended health insurance plans. We offer direct billing to the majority of insurers, so you only pay any applicable portion. If you are unsure about your coverage, call us before booking and we will help you figure it out.
Is it too late to treat issues from childbirth years ago?
Not at all. Pelvic floor changes from pregnancy and childbirth can be addressed years — even decades — after the fact. The pelvic floor responds well to rehabilitation regardless of when the original issue occurred. We regularly help women reclaim their pelvic health long after they assumed the window for treatment had closed.
Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help with pelvic organ prolapse?
Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a well-established, first-line treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. Strengthening and retraining the pelvic floor muscles can reduce prolapse symptoms, improve your quality of life, and in many cases prevent or delay the need for surgical intervention.
I feel embarrassed talking about these symptoms. What can I expect?
Our team works with pelvic health concerns every single day. Nothing you describe will surprise or embarrass us. We approach every appointment with empathy and without judgment. Our goal is to make you feel heard, safe, and supported from the moment you walk through our door.