Restoring Strength and Balance to Your Pelvic Floor

At Aspire Physical Therapy in Bend, Oregon, we specialize in providing personalized pelvic health care to support your overall wellness. Whether you're managing pelvic pain, recovering from pelvic surgery, or seeking treatment for conditions such as bladder dysfunction or pelvic prolapse, our expert team offers evidence-based therapy tailored to your unique needs. We provide a range of treatments, from pelvic floor therapy to holistic approaches that address the root causes of discomfort. Our focus is on helping you regain function, reduce pain, and enhance your quality of life.

Discover how Aspire Physical Therapy can support your pelvic health journey and help you achieve lasting wellness with compassionate, specialized care.

Supporting Your Pelvic Health Journey

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our primary goal is to ensure you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. We understand how vulnerable this process can feel, and we want you to know we’re here to help—not judge.

    Your first visit begins with a friendly conversation. We’ll discuss what brought you to therapy, your goals, and your expectations. You’ll be asked questions about your health history, lifestyle habits, bathroom routines, exercise, diet, and even sexual health. While these topics may seem personal, they’re crucial for crafting a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

    Next, we’ll conduct a postural and musculoskeletal assessment to understand how your body functions as a whole. If an internal pelvic floor exam is necessary, we’ll guide you through every step of the process, explaining what to expect and showing visuals of the muscles involved. Your consent is essential, and you’re always in control. You can pause or opt out at any time—just let us know.

    After gathering a comprehensive understanding of your needs, we’ll work together to design a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals and empowers your journey toward better pelvic health.

  • The pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles located both inside and around the pelvis, playing a crucial role in core stability, bladder function, bowel function, and sexual health. To accurately assess how these muscles are functioning, your physical therapist may recommend an internal pelvic floor examination, which can be performed vaginally or rectally, depending on your specific needs and diagnosis.

    The purpose of this exam is to evaluate key aspects of pelvic floor muscle function, including strength, endurance, tension, motor control, and coordination. This detailed assessment helps identify any dysfunction or imbalance contributing to your symptoms. Based on the results, your therapist will create a personalized treatment plan, which may include exercises and strategies to help restore optimal function.

    Your comfort and consent are always prioritized during the process. No stirrups or speculums are used, and your physical therapist will explain each step and stop immediately if you feel uncomfortable. Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment for your pelvic health care and recovery.

  • An internal pelvic exam is one of the most effective ways for us to thoroughly assess your pelvic anatomy and establish a baseline for muscle strength, control, and any areas of dysfunction. However, your comfort and consent are our highest priorities. If you’re not comfortable with this portion of the assessment, you are completely within your rights to decline.

    Even without the internal exam, we can still gather valuable information from the rest of your evaluation to design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. However, it’s important to note that an internal exam can provide critical insights into your pelvic health, and without it, progress may take a bit longer or leave some aspects of your care less targeted.

    Ultimately, the decision is yours, and we’re here to support you every step of the way in your journey toward better pelvic health.

  • We provide pelvic floor therapy for patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults. Pelvic health is crucial at every stage of life, and we customize our care to address the unique needs of each individual:

    • Babies: Yes, we even see babies! Therapy can help with conditions such as constipation, digestive issues, or tension-related problems that may affect a baby’s comfort and development.

    • Children and Teenagers: For younger patients, therapy can address concerns like bedwetting, constipation, or pelvic pain. Early intervention helps build confidence and improve their quality of life.

    • Adults: Both men and women benefit from therapy for issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse, and post-surgical recovery. Women can also receive care for pregnancy preparation, postpartum recovery, and diastasis recti.

    • Older Adults: Pelvic floor therapy supports aging patients with issues such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and prolapse, helping them regain strength, control, and confidence.

    From the tiniest patients to the oldest, we are here to provide compassionate and specialized pelvic floor therapy for every stage of life.

  • Absolutely! Pregnancy places unique demands on your body, often leading to discomforts such as back pain, neck pain, groin pain, muscle weakness, joint instability, misalignment, and conditions like diastasis recti. Seeking treatment from a pelvic health specialist during pregnancy can help address these concerns, making the journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

    Beyond pain relief, we provide education and guidance to support your body through each stage of pregnancy. From techniques to prepare for labor and delivery to strategies for a smoother postpartum recovery, our goal is to help you feel strong, confident, and empowered to stay active throughout your pregnancy. Your health and well-being are our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

  • You can typically start pelvic floor therapy as early as 6 weeks postpartum, once you’ve had your postnatal check-up and received clearance from your healthcare provider. However, if you’re experiencing significant discomfort, pain, or other concerns sooner, we can provide gentle interventions to support your recovery before the 6-week mark.

    Pelvic floor therapy after childbirth can help address issues like incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, or diastasis recti. It also focuses on rebuilding strength and function, allowing you to heal and regain confidence as you transition into postpartum life. Every recovery journey is unique, and we’ll tailor your care to your specific needs and goals.

  • Absolutely! Being on your period does not prevent you from continuing physical therapy. Treatment can proceed as usual, and we will always prioritize your comfort. If you feel at ease, we can move forward with all aspects of your session, including manual therapy and exercises.

    However, if you’d prefer to modify or delay any part of your treatment, just let us know—we’re here to support you in a way that feels best for you.

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect men just as much as women. Issues like urinary leakage, pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, post-surgical recovery (e.g., after prostatectomy), or chronic constipation can all be linked to the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor therapy helps restore function, strength, and coordination in these muscles, providing relief and improving overall health.

  • Yes, pelvic floor therapy is highly beneficial after prostate surgery. Many men experience urinary incontinence or pelvic pain post-surgery, and therapy helps restore muscle strength and control. Through guided exercises and techniques, pelvic floor therapy can speed up recovery and help you regain confidence in daily activities.

  • While an internal pelvic floor exam is one of the best ways to assess pelvic floor function in men, it is not mandatory. Your therapist will discuss the potential benefits of the exam and ensure you feel comfortable throughout the process. If you prefer not to have an internal exam, other assessment techniques can still provide valuable insights to guide your care and treatment plan.

Have Pelvic Health Questions? We’re Here to Support You!

Curious about pelvic floor therapy or wondering how we can help? Reach out to us—our team is here to answer your questions and guide you toward better pelvic health. From understanding your symptoms to creating a personalized care plan, we’re with you every step of the way.