What to Wear to Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic floor disorders bring a heap of trouble. Like urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, feelings of fullness or heaviness. Almost 24% of American women are affected with one or multiple pelvic floor dysfunctions. That’s about one-quarter of U.S. women.

The frequency of pelvic floor problems skyrockets with age, impacting over 40% of women from 60-79 years old. And around 50% who are over 80. Many patients need pelvic floor therapy (PFT). Especially when dealing with persistent pelvic pain, incontinence, troubled urination, bowel movement, and painful sex.

Women often see a pelvic floor therapist for treating vaginismus or endometriosis. Whereas male patients use it to manage painful and premature ejaculation. A pelvic floor workout is here to thwart the risk of bladder problems and vaginal prolapse.

It’s particularly beneficial for those who’ve recently given birth, undergone prostate surgery, and now need to get their bowel and bladder function back on track. But, what do you wear to pelvic floor therapy? Here is all you need to know.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

What Do You Wear for Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Since you will need a couple of sessions, it’s a good idea to know what to wear to pelvic floor therapy. There are a few clothing tips that can help you feel at ease. For that, you need comfortable and loose clothing, socks to keep you warm, and comfy shoes that won’t put a lot of strain on your feet.

Cozy and Loose-Fitted Clothes

With pelvic floor therapy, you will be doing a couple of unique activities, all of which offer substantial therapeutic benefits. Like Kegels, squeezing and releasing the pelvic floor, bridge exercises to strengthen the buttocks, and more.

As a result, you would need to get up and move. Comfortable clothing that’s loose is a practical option for your pelvic floor therapy sessions. The reason for that is relatively simple. The clothes decrease chafing during movement. It also makes it easier to move around and stretch. With less movement restriction, you can get better results.

Warm Socks

During an internal pelvic manipulation, your therapist will provide you with a covering for the lower body. But, the feet remain exposed. The exposure leads to coldness. Do have in mind that it can be a little bit cold at a clinic. So, it would be in your best interest to wear warm socks.

Shoes for Extra Comfort

It’s difficult and very uncomfortable to complete each exercise without adequate footwear. You need a proper workout shoe, like the ones you wear when you go running, jogging, or hiking. Wearing footwear that’s intended for physical activity amplifies comfort level.

Your preferred shoes should feature adequate foot support and are relatively easy to take off. So, if pelvic manipulation becomes necessary, you will need less time to take off the shoes.

Do I Have to Undress for Pelvic Floor Therapy (PFT)?

Training the pelvic floor muscles requires muscle strengthening. When an internal pelvic assessment is necessary, and during most manual pelvic floor techniques/treatments, patients do need to undress. Otherwise, they can remain fully clothed.

How Do I Prepare for PFT?

During a PFT session, you will be doing a ton of strengthening and stretching activities. This means it is a good idea to have energy and wear comfortable clothing. The clothes you pick should be easy to move around with. Many women wear leggings, for example.

Due to the firm pelvic floor support and solid pelvic alignment, leggings are often a practical choice. To keep the colon intact, flush the toxins, and hydrate the body, drinking plenty of water can help the pelvic floor. So, it’s a good idea to stay hydrated before and after PFT sessions.

Can You See a Pelvic Floor Therapist While on Your Period?

Yes. Patients can still see a physical therapist even when they are on their period. That’s because menstruation won’t get in the way of your physical activities. Besides, it can be a good idea to check how your muscles are doing during menstruation. Also, talk to your therapist if any of the stretches you are performing don’t feel comfortable when menstruating.

Can I Get the Therapy When Pregnant?

Physical therapists don’t often do internal pelvic floor treatments or assessments for pregnant women. That’s why it is important to let your doctor know if you are carrying a child or believe to be pregnant. They might suggest different therapeutic approaches based on your current needs, stated the University of Washington.

Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Hurt?

The exercises are not there to cause pain. Although some mild discomfort is completely normal, the pain won’t be a problem. The therapy itself is meant to ease the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. The muscles become stronger and are able to relax.

Your physical therapist will suggest positions and activities to evaluate the coordination of your pelvic floor. They will assess your current health state and tailor the therapy to your needs. For most patients, both external and internal therapy is useful.

With time, it can ease the pain and discomfort female patients feel during intercourse. The boost in muscle awareness, comfort, and endurance can make it easier to achieve an orgasm.

How Long Does a Typical Appointment Last?

Your physical therapist will use a range of exercises and techniques to achieve the desired result. An appointment can last anywhere from 45 min to 1 hour. But, it depends on the nature of your dysfunction.

During the appointment, you might get trigger point therapy, Kegels, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback. Trigger point therapy uses techniques to treat the affected area. While Kegels are well-known exercises praised for their pelvic floor benefits.

Will I Feel Sore After Pelvic Floor Therapy?

If you’ve been leading a sedentary lifestyle for a very long time, then yes, the muscles can feel sore. That’s because you haven’t used the muscles as you should have, meaning that the stretches can feel quite taxing. But, don’t worry about it. It’s normal to experience some soreness. That’s why you should be drinking plenty of water after the session to keep the muscles in a healthy shape.

Wrap Up

As you can see, picking out clothes for PFT is no rocket science. Just some loose-fitted and comfortable clothing will do. Don’t forget to pop on a pair of warm socks and comfortable shoes.