Why You Still Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy After a C-Section
- Bailee Burningham
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
When you hear “pelvic floor physical therapy,” chances are you think of postpartum healing after a vaginal delivery. But here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough: if you’ve had a Cesarean section (C-section), pelvic floor PT is still incredibly important.
At Bonneville Pelvic Health, we often hear people say, “Oh, I didn’t give birth vaginally, so I think I’m good.” And while your pelvic floor may not have experienced the same direct strain as with vaginal delivery, pregnancy and abdominal surgery still place tremendous stress on your core and pelvic floor system. That means support, recovery, and gentle retraining are still very much needed—and very much worth your time.
The Myth: “No Vaginal Delivery = No Pelvic Floor Issues”
Let’s bust this myth right off the bat. Pregnancy alone—regardless of delivery method—causes:
Increased downward pressure on the pelvic floor
Stretching of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles
Changes in posture and breathing mechanics
Weakening or imbalance in the core and pelvic stability system
In fact, people who have had a C-section often experience pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms such as:
Pelvic pain or heaviness
Low back or hip pain
Difficulty activating their core muscles
And this isn’t because something went “wrong”—this is simply how the body adapts and compensates after months of growing and carrying a baby, followed by major abdominal surgery.
Scar Tissue from a C-Section Affects More Than You Think
Let’s talk about C-section scar mobilization, because it’s a big part of your recovery that often gets overlooked.
A Cesarean birth is a major abdominal surgery, and your body creates scar tissue to help heal that area. Scar tissue is a totally normal part of the healing process—but without guidance, it can lead to tightness, restriction, and pain, even in areas far from the scar itself. Scar tissue can:
Adhere to surrounding layers (like fascia, muscles, and organs)
Restrict mobility and posture
Alter your core engagement and breathing patterns
Contribute to pelvic pain and dysfunction
At Bonneville Pelvic Health, we offer gentle, hands-on scar tissue mobilization as part of our comprehensive postpartum care. Not only can this reduce discomfort around the scar itself, but it can also improve your overall movement, bladder and bowel function, and even emotional connection to your healing body.
What We Address in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy After a C-Section
Even if you had a smooth C-section recovery, pelvic floor PT is about function, not just symptoms. We work with you to restore your body’s ability to move, support, and function confidently—now and for the long term.
Here’s what we often address during postpartum pelvic floor PT after Cesarean birth:
1. Scar Mobilization
As mentioned, we teach you how to safely work with your scar, reduce adhesions, and reconnect with your abdominal wall. It’s never too late—even years later—to work on scar mobility!
2. Core and Pelvic Floor Reconnection
We guide you in retraining your deep core system, which includes your diaphragm, pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, and multifidus. These muscles work together as your body’s natural support system—and surgery can throw that system off track.
3. Postural Rebalancing
Pregnancy and postpartum often leave people with postural changes that can cause back pain, hip tightness, or pelvic discomfort. We help you feel strong and aligned again.
4. Bladder and Bowel Function
Even C-section births can lead to urinary urgency, leakage, or constipation due to pressure on the pelvic organs during pregnancy and changes in nerve function post-surgery.
5. Return to Exercise or Daily Activities
Whether you’re trying to get back to lifting your toddler, returning to CrossFit, or simply walking comfortably, pelvic floor PT helps you build confidence in your body and avoid injury.
What If Your Birth Wasn’t Recent?
It’s never too late for pelvic floor physical therapy. We work with people years—even decades—after a C-section who are still dealing with symptoms like pelvic pain, urgency, diastasis recti, or scar sensitivity. Healing doesn’t expire, and your body always benefits from support.
You Deserve Complete Postpartum Care
Whether you had a planned C-section, an emergency one, or anything in between, your body went through something big—and you deserve support in healing.
At Bonneville Pelvic Health, Dr. Bailee is a board-certified women’s health physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor rehabilitation and postpartum recovery. We create a customized plan based on your goals, your birth story, and your body.
If you’re curious whether pelvic floor PT is right for you after a C-section, reach out to us. We’ll answer your questions, explain what to expect, and help you take that next step toward feeling like yourself again.
Let’s work together to reconnect you to your core, your confidence, and your healing.Schedule your initial evaluation today at Bonneville Pelvic Health in Ogden, Utah.
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