Pelvic floor physical therapists provide services to women during pregnancy that assist in treating pelvic pain, back pain, shoulder and neck issues, pee leaks, prolapse, and abdominal separation.
After birth we help manage scar tissue, strengthen the abdominal wall, heal pee leaks, prolapse, GI issues, and all other orthopedic problems that arise.
We are an essential part of women's health as they go through pregnancy and birth.
Women need and deserve pelvic floor physical therapy before, during, and after birth. Women also benefit from continued relationships with their pelvic floor provider throughout life.
Unfortunately, not all women have access to such services. In fact, very few women get pelvic floor treatment postpartum, even fewer receive treatment and guidance during pregnancy, and hardly any women receive annual well-women visits from their pelvic floor physical therapist.
Women living in rural areas of the country and even around the world may not have a pelvic floor physical therapist nearby.
I live in New Mexico, and I have had clients drive 3-hours each way to work with me in the past. They are amazing women dedicated to their health.
If you find yourself in a situation when your nearest pelvic floor physical therapist is far away, this blog is for you.
Here are several options for women who do not have a pelvic floor physical therapist in their area.
Telehealth
If you live somewhere more remote, there are still options for you to receive care. There are some pelvic floor telehealth services for women lacking access to in-person care. Telehealth works well for women who are committed to healing and tuned-in to their bodies.
Telehealth is an especially good option for you if you already have a foundation of body awareness and are comfortable acknowledging and investigating more about your pelvic floor on your own.
However, telehealth will not be able to offer an assessment of the pelvic floor muscles, which may be a limiting factor to your recovery.
If you are very uncomfortable investigating your own pelvic region or experience barriers to tuning into your body's nuances and movements, one of the options below is better for you.
Commuting
Driving in to see a pelvic floor physical therapist is also an option.
The frequency in which you are able to attend appointments will depend on your resources, availability, childcare and distance between appointments. I have had mamas drive in once a week with no issues, others have driven in once every month or two.
Driving long distances for support requires motivation, dedication and planning ahead. Communing is a good option for you if you are able to bring your kids with you, have good childcare, and/or a flexible work schedule.
Also, you don't mind driving!
Holistic Pelvic Health Online Pelvic Floor Courses
We offer online pelvic floor courses to help bridge the gap between clients that can come to pelvic PT regularly and clients that are limited or unable to at all.
At the moment I offer a prenatal course with prenatal workouts to help you stay fit and healthy throughout your pregnancy, and to prepare for labor and birth.
These courses are an excellent resource for women who are pregnant but do not have access to pelvic floor PT, or who cannot come in regularly...
And I offer them at a tremendous value! Right now, when you purchase the prenatal course you get the prenatal workouts FREE!
Click here for access to the prenatal course and workouts.
Conclusion
If there is no provider in your area, there are still options for you to get pelvic floor physical therapy. Telehealth is great option and is often very successful. You can also opt to drive a distance to appointments at a frequency of your choosing. Lastly, online courses and communities serve as excellent continuing wellness options following your one-on-one treatments for your individual condition!
Click here to schedule with us today!
Not local to Albuquerque? You can still get help. Click here for my online Pelvic Health Coaching Program!
Want to learn more about your pelvic floor or find out if pelvic floor physical therapy is for you? Make sure you check out our blog The Ultimate Guide to Know If Pelvic Floor PT is For You.
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