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Pelvic floor
physical therapy clinic

Is the concept of pelvic floor physical therapy new to you?
You’re not alone!

What can I expect at a pelvic floor evaluation? 

Part 1: Tell Me Your Story

Share your experience: 

  • History, how things started, what you’re experiencing now, and any other information you'd like me to know.

I ask follow-up questions:

  • I need to screen various other medical conditions to make sure you are in the right place and appropriate for pelvic floor PT

  • I will ask very detailed questions about your function. This may include bladder, bowel, sexual function, activity level, exercise, occupation, etc. 

We set goals:

  • What do YOU need from me? What do we need to accomplish to make your time here successful and helpful?

Woman during pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation

Part 2: Physical Assessment

Pelvic floor physical therapist working with hip pain
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation

  • I’ll ask you to move in various ways (bend forward, back, side to side, balance, walking, squatting).

  • Check your hips: move each leg around, assessing hip range of motion and strength, performing special tests to assess the joints and muscles in the hip areas. 

  • Palpation, placing light pressure in the different areas of the abdomen, hips, lower back, glutes (buttock), inner thighs.

  • Internal examination: The best way to assess the pelvic floor is internally, meaning via the vaginal or rectal canal. With one gloved finger  (no tools), I am able to palpate each pelvic floor muscle individually to determine whether or not there is a dysfunction that needs to be addressed. 

    • If a muscle is sore, tender, tight, or weak, we will be able to tell. I will assess each muscle this way. These muscles are in a sensitive area, so I start with very gentle pressure, as it is not my goal or intention to put you in any pain during the exam. 

    • During this exam I will also ask you to contract, relax, and bear down with your muscles. This is how I determine if you’re doing “kegels” correctly. If you’re having trouble with any of these movements, I’ll teach you! 

    • You may, however, have muscles that are too tense. In that case, we will practice relaxation techniques so you can start to feel better right away. 

  • If you are uncomfortable with an internal exam for any reason at all, this portion of the exam can be replaced with an external pelvic floor exam, fully clothed. This includes me palpating the areas of the pelvis externally. These areas include the muscles near your “sit bones”, tailbone, pubic bone. 

    • While this doesn’t allow me to fully assess the deeper pelvic floor muscles, I can get a sense of the superficial muscle function, and can usually determine a good place to start treatment from this information.

Part 3: Let's Make a Plan Together

  • I will thoroughly explain the findings of your exam and answer any questions you may have.

  • I will use the information gathered in parts one and two to make recommendations on what is needed for you to reach your goals! 

  • You and I will work together to determine a plan that fits your schedule, level of time commitment, budget, etc.

  • Many plans of care start at 1x per week for a few weeks, followed by less frequent visits (e.g. every-other week, 1x per month, etc.). 

    • This is highly variable among patients, and we can always adjust your course of care based on your needs.

Bailee Burningham doctor of physical therapy specilizing in pelvic floor treatment

Dr. Bailee Burningham, DPT

"Why on Earth are you a pelvic floor physical therapist?"

I get asked this question all the time.

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The long(ish) answer: I've always been fascinated by the pelvis. SO MANY THINGS happen there: The spine connects, the bladder and bowel are regulated, sexual functions are controlled, hips attach, babies grow, babies are birthed, and more! 10 years ago, during my first year of doctoral training at the University of Utah, I observed a pelvic floor physical therapist. To put it mildly, the experience broke my brain in all the best ways. I watched her evaluate and treat patients through a different lens than I had ever seen. Since then, I have never looked back. The combination of anatomical complexity, huge variability of symptom presentations, and importance of mental well-being in my patients make me more passionate about this field every day.

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The short answer: I find great joy in providing a much needed and overlooked service... and I can't help but enjoy teaching people about the pelvic floor and breaking their brains too. 

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