My Journey Into Pelvic Floor Therapy: Why It’s Never Too Late
When I first stepped into pelvic floor therapy, it had been a whopping 10.5 years since my youngest was born. My oldest was born 27 years ago, and my second, 17 years ago. Looking back, I can’t remember anyone ever mentioning pelvic floor therapy—let’s just say it wasn’t exactly trending back then.
I’ve had some pretty memorable births. My youngest came in at just over 10 pounds and was, surprisingly, my favorite delivery—quick and smooth. My first delivery, though, was much longer and needed vacuum assistance. Thankfully, my midwife assistant showed me some self-care tips after that delivery. My mom shared some of her wisdom and would wrap me in castor oil and flannel. No complaints from me—I didn’t have the typical pelvic floor issues.
I was once told that the vaginal walls are like an umbrella with pleats that open up during childbirth, allowing us to deliver babies. This imagery helped me understand how our vaginal canal expands during delivery. After giving birth, it’s crucial to support the healing process by ensuring that the vaginal canal closes properly, with no “kinks” in the pleats. The goal is to avoid scar tissue or adhesions, which could hinder proper healing. Following my midwife’s advice, I would perform self-care in a bath to help facilitate this natural healing process. I also did perineal massage as part of my birth prep, which was a great way to help prepare for delivery, but I never thought much about pelvic floor therapy beyond that. I played basketball, snowboarded, and jumped around without a care in the world. A pelvic floor appointment? Never really crossed my mind.
That was until last year. I got rear-ended at a complete stop—twice. Both times, the drivers who hit me didn’t seem to know what a brake pedal was for, leaving me with lingering pain throughout my body. I began noticing pelvic floor symptoms creeping in, too. That’s when I remembered Dr Linda (owner of FeminoCentric Physical Therapy and Wellness in Pasadena) who had generously shared their expertise with our Focus Families in the past. I decided to reach out and ask if pelvic floor therapy could help.
Taking the First Step
I made the decision to book an appointment. I’ll be honest—I was a little nervous. Thoughts like, “Do I need to groom?” and “Should I shave my legs?” crossed my mind. I didn’t want to arrive feeling unprepared, so I made sure to shower beforehand—no need to rush straight from work. After all, first impressions matter, even with your pelvic floor therapist! So, I went home, freshened up, and mentally prepared for this new adventure.
From the moment I arrived, my therapist’s warm and friendly demeanor put me at ease. She explained everything step-by-step, ensuring I understood the process. I laid down on the table, covered by a paper gown, as she gently began the examination. To my surprise, the pelvic exam was more comfortable than any I’d ever had before.
A Revelation
During the session, I discovered that I had trigger points in my pelvic floor that radiated pain all the way to my back, hips, knees, ankles, feet, and even my big toe. I couldn’t believe it. I had been dealing with this pain for months, and the one area I hadn’t thought to address—the pelvic floor—was the key to relief.
As my treatment progressed, I experienced significant improvements: better range of motion, reduced pain, and improved pelvic floor tone and control. But the biggest takeaway? I learned to reconnect with my body. Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s full of ups and downs. Now, with a physically demanding job, I feel equipped with the tools I need to address imbalances the moment they arise.
It’s Never Too Late
Feminocentric Physical Therapy is all about helping people reconnect with their bodies at any stage of life. They emphasize that it’s never too late to schedule a pelvic floor assessment—and I can’t agree more. Whether you’re postpartum or, like me, years out from childbirth, their personalized care meets you wherever you’re at and guides you every step of the way.
They also offer Birth Prep and Postpartum Planning for Pelvic Floor, a course designed to empower and educate both mamas and their birth partners in preparation for labor and vaginal delivery. Families are raving about how this course helps them feel mentally and physically prepared, and it’s easy to see why.
If you’ve been on the fence about pelvic floor therapy, it’s time to take that first step. It could be the key to reconnecting with your body and finding much-needed relief.
