What to expect at your first visit with your Pelvic Physiotherapist

Whether this is your first ever visit to a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist or you’re a new patient to our clinic after trying physiotherapy somewhere else, the initial visit can be intimidating. You may be asking yourself, “How does pelvic floor physio work?”, and you may not be sure what pelvic floor physiotherapy involves or what to expect.

Whatever you’re feeling, it’s totally okay - and we’re here to help you feel comfortable, make sure you feel fully informed, and help you leave feeling better and more confident than when you first arrived!

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect at your first visit with us.

How soon will I be able to come in for my physiotherapy appointment?

We strive to ensure our patients have direct access to physiotherapy care.

With that in mind, we typically book appointments about 1-2 weeks ahead; this may be up to 3-4 weeks at times.

You do not need a requisition or referral to book a visit with us. If you do have an Extended Health Coverage plan, they may ask for a referral in order to process any physiotherapy claims, so we always recommend checking with them about your specific policy.

How should I prepare for my visit? Do I need to bring anything with me or wear something specific?

We typically recommend for our patients to plan to arrive about 10-15 early for the first visit in order to complete the necessary intake forms.

We do not require your health card at your visit, but if you have an Extended Health Coverage plan, you may wish to bring your insurance information for direct billing purposes. Our team can confirm whether we direct bill for your plan before your visit.

You can wear whatever clothes you will be comfortable in. Many of our patients prefer to wear clothes which will not restrict movement, as some treatments can involve hands-on therapies and exercises.

What kind of questions will my physiotherapist ask me?

Your physiotherapist will ask you a number of questions to understand your health and concerns. They may ask about your health history, your symptoms, any previous physiotherapy experiences, any other health concerns you have, and your current lifestyle and habits (such as sleep, bowel and bladder habits, pain, sexual activity, previous injuries, and/or physical activity).

These questions can feel intimate and quite personal, but they help us to understand what’s going on with your pelvic health. Your physiotherapist asks specific and relevant questions to determine the best treatment plan suited to you as an individual. Anything you discuss with your physiotherapist is kept confidential, and they will only ever ask you health questions relevant to your care.

Many patients find it helpful to write down a list of their most pressing symptoms and concerns, as well as questions they’d like to ask their physiotherapist, to bring to their initial visit.

Will there be a physical assessment at my first physiotherapy appointment?

During your initial visit, your physiotherapist will take on a holistic/whole-body approach to your care. Depending on what you’re looking for help with, they may assess your back, hips, abdominal muscles, and/or pelvis. They may also investigate previous injuries or lingering pains. The pelvic floor works closely with the rest of the body and provides lots of functions to muscles, tissues, and systems that you may not expect! It is very connected to your entire body, and that is why we always take a whole-body approach.

During a Pelvic Assessment, depending on your symptoms and concerns, your physiotherapist may perform an internal examination to assess your pelvic floor muscles and internal tissues. You will lie comfortably on the bed and will be provided a sheet to cover yourself with.

We will ensure you feel informed at every step of your examination, and we will always ask for your consent, which you are free to revoke at any point during your visit. Your comfort and safety is our top priority.

Some pelvic health symptoms are best treated with an internal examination, but your physiotherapist can do many external treatments with you as well if you feel uncomfortable or apprehensive about an internal.

What can I expect in terms of confidentiality and communication?

We consider the physiotherapist and patient therapeutic relationship as an ongoing partnership with a common goal of improving your health status and well-being. Research has shown that effective communication with your physiotherapist forms the bedrock for a great therapeutic alliance and leads to enhanced clinical outcomes for you.

Your physiotherapist will always encourage you to feel absolutely free to communicate with them in the clinic. Communication is a very important therapeutic tool for your physiotherapist to continuously monitor your condition and provide you the most appropriate care.

All interactions between you and your physiotherapist are bound by confidentiality. We require your informed consent throughout your care plan.