Almost a third of people are known to experience pelvic floor disorders at some time during their lives, and for some, finding the right treatment can be challenging. Pelvic health issues like incontinence, chronic constipation, and pain during sex are sensitive subjects to discuss with a primary care physician (PCP), for instance, and many people are not initially aware that a pelvic physical therapist could be better equipped to help.
If you can’t find anything suitable or don’t want to go through the process of being referred by a PCP, we’ve got the perfect online pelvic therapy solution, no matter where you live.
How to Find a Pelvic Physical Therapist in Your Area
Finding a pelvic physical therapist is easier than ever with the help of the internet and social media. That said, there are some helpful tips for locating pelvic floor PTs with the right training and experience to treat your pelvic issues.
Trusted Pelvic Physical Therapist Directories
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and The Pelvic Rehab (previously Herman & Wallace Practitioner Directory) are two of the best directories to search for a pelvic floor PT in the US, and comparable directories are available in most other countries. These are free databases of certified pelvic floor PTs, and it’s easy to search for practitioners in your vicinity by entering your state, city, and zip code.
Additionally, internationally recognized pelvic health brand Intimate Rose offers both a pelvic practitioner network with directory, and pelvic health telehealth services. For those wishing to see a provider in person they can email support@intimaterose.com and be matched with someone in their area, or they can opt to receive visits in the privacy of their own home via Intimate Rose Pelvic Therapy Telehealth services.
Social Media Communities
Pelvic health groups and communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok are also helpful to connect with others experiencing similar issues. Joining these groups not only provides support by connecting with people in a similar situation they can also provide excellent recommendations for pelvic floor PTs with the right experience in your area.
Colleague Endorsements
Even though it might not suit geographically, reaching out to a pelvic floor PT in a town near you or an online social media community can produce excellent personal referrals. Pelvic specialists are always advocates of those seeking help with pelvic disorders and are usually happy to refer patients to trusted colleagues in their vicinity.
Primary Care Physician
Many PCPs work closely with specialists and provide excellent recommendations for patients. If you find it awkward to talk about, not all details of your pelvic disorder need to be disclosed to your local PCP to receive a referral to a pelvic floor PT.
How to Choose the Best Pelvic PT For You?
Once you’ve located pelvic floor PTs in your area, it can be overwhelming if there are several to choose from, and hard to know if their training and qualifications are suited to your pelvic floor needs.
The first few letters behind a pelvic physical therapist’s name provide clues about their initial degree. For example, BS (Bachelor of Science Degree) requires 4 years of study, MSPT (Master of Science in Physical Therapy Degree 6 years of study, and DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) requires 7 years of study.
Many pelvic floor PTs also have additional letters signifying specialized qualifications obtained after their initial degree. These can include PRPC (Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification), WCS (Women’s Clinical Specialist), CAPP-PF (Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy), BCIA-PMDB (Certified in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback), and more.
Once you’ve understood a pelvic floor PT’s training and specialized qualifications through the letters listed after their name, you can call the clinic or do some research online to ensure that their therapy applies to your needs.
What If There Is No Pelvic Floor PT in Your Area or You Don’t Have Time for One?
If there is no pelvic floor physical therapist near you, or your options are limited and the available choices lack the expertise you require or are located too far away for regular visits, 1:1 Online Pelvic Therapy from Intimate Rose is a game-changer.
After a free online assessment to understand your symptoms and goals, we’ll connect you with the right pelvic floor physical therapist for your needs. Through a secure video call from the comfort of your home, you’ll have a 1:1 consultation with your pelvic floor PT to discuss a pelvic physical therapy rehabilitation plan, exercises, and recommended pelvic tools to help you restore pelvic function at home.
After the initial consultation, you can reconnect with the pelvic PT for ongoing guided care and progress-tracking until your pelvic dysfunction has been treated and your goals have been achieved. You’ll also have access to a library of Intimate Rose pelvic health articles for unlimited support throughout your pelvic rehabilitation journey.
Dr. Amanda Olson DPT, PRPC is the president and chief clinical officer at Intimate Rose, a practicing pelvic floor physical therapist, and one of the most trusted names in pelvic health therapy globally. As international leaders in the realm of pelvic health, Dr. Olson and Intimate Rose have helped millions of women and men find relief from pelvic pain, postpartum changes, menopause symptoms, and chronic prostatitis with their innovative pelvic health tools.
If you’re feeling awkward about discussing pelvic health with local providers, living in rural parts of the world with no access to a pelvic PT, too busy to fit appointments into your day, on a waiting list for a pelvic PT in your area, or seeking to avoid insurance and referral red tape, Intimate Rose Online Pelvic Therapy is a proven, private, and compassionate solution to all types of pelvic floor disorders.
Conclusion
Although pelvic disorders can be disconcerting, finding a pelvic floor physical therapist to help doesn't have to be. Online pelvic physical therapist directories like The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and The Pelvic Rehab (previously Herman & Wallace Practitioner Directory) list practicing pelvic floor PTs by state, name, and zip code.
Primary care physicians, social media pelvic health groups, and online pelvic communities are also helpful for personal referrals and pelvic floor PT reviews. And understanding the letters listed after a pelvic PT's name can help identify if their specialized training and qualifications are right for treating your pelvic disorder.
If finding a pelvic PT in your area is not easy, you don’t have time to fit in regular appointments, or you feel too embarrassed to obtain a referral from a doctor, Intimate Rose Online Pelvic Therapy could be the ideal option for you. After meeting your pelvic PT via a secure and confidential video call, you’ll be guided and progress-tracked as you restore your pelvic health at home. Click here for a free assessment.
References
Johns Hopkins Medicine – Pelvic Floor Disorders - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pelvic-floor-disorders
Mayo Clinic - Chronic Pelvic Pain - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20354368
Web MD – What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy - https://www.webmd.com/women/what-is-pelvic-floor-physical-therapy
National Library of Medicine - The role of pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic and genital pain-related sexual dysfunction (CME) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18304280/
Oregon Health & Science University - Female Pelvic Floor Disorders - https://www.ohsu.edu/urology/female-pelvic-disorders
Department of Urology, University of California - Prostatitis (Male Pelvic Pain) - https://urology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/adult-non-cancer/male-sexual-and-reproductive-health/prostatitis