What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

What is pelvic floor therapy? If you’ve ever felt like something “just isn’t right” in your core — whether it’s pain, pressure, or bladder changes — you’re not alone.

Pelvic floor therapy helps you understand and strengthen the muscles that support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. It’s not just for new moms or athletes; it’s for anyone whose daily life is affected by discomfort or weakness in this area.

You learn how to move, breathe, and use your muscles in ways that make your body feel supported again. Most people are surprised by how much this therapy improves their confidence, posture, and even intimacy.

Here’s what we focus on together:

  • Reconnecting you to muscles that have been ignored or overworked
  • Teaching gentle exercises that restore coordination and strength
  • Reducing pain and improving control so you can return to normal activities

This isn’t a quick fix — it’s a process that helps your body relearn balance and strength from the inside out. And it starts with you simply noticing that something feels off and deciding it’s time to feel whole again.

what is pelvic floor therapy

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Pelvic Pain and Discomfort

Understanding What’s Really Going On

If you’ve been dealing with pelvic pain, tightness, or pressure that lingers long after a workout, your body may be asking for help from your pelvic floor muscles.

These muscles support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, keeping your core stable and balanced. When they’re tense or weak, the pain can show up anywhere — your hips, lower back, or even during physical activity.

We see this often in active adults across Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, especially those training for endurance events like the Fort Collins Running U Marathon, tackling long trail miles in Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, or playing weekend pickleball at Twin Silo Park.

Those repetitive movements can cause your pelvic muscles to lose coordination or stay “on” when they should relax.

If you’re ready to take back control and feel at home in your body again, let’s start today.

Call (970) 500-3427 to schedule your one-on-one session and start your path toward pain-free movement.

Why Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Happens in Active Adults

You may think pelvic issues only happen after pregnancy or injury, but they’re common in runners, lifters, and cyclists.

Constant strain from bracing your core or overtraining can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, tight connective tissues, or poor coordination between your pelvis and spine.

You might notice:

  • Pain that flares during squats, lunges, or long runs
  • Urinary incontinence when you sneeze or lift
  • Tightness in your pubic bone or lower abdomen
  • Pain that makes sexual function or bowel movements uncomfortable

Your pelvic floor physical therapist performs a detailed physical exam to check your pelvic floor muscles, hips, and spine.

They might use gentle manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, or even electrical stimulation to relax muscles and retrain your body’s natural rhythm.

How Sports PT Helps You Get Back in the Game

As a pelvic floor physical therapist, the goal is to help you regain confidence in movement. During therapy sessions, we often include:

  • Targeted pelvic floor exercises like kegel exercises done with breath control and precision
  • Mobility work for the hips and spine to restore full range
  • Myofascial release and stretching to improve blood flow and reduce tension
  • Strength training that connects your pelvic muscles with your glutes and core
  • Guided relaxation drills to help relax muscles between sets or workouts

These treatments help retrain how your pelvic organs and other muscles work together, so you can move without fear of pain or leakage.

what is pelvic floor therapy

What to Expect in Your First Visit

Your first appointment begins with reviewing your medical and family history, including any medical conditions, surgeries, or athletic injuries.

During the physical exam, your therapist may perform an internal exam using gloved fingers to assess specific muscle activity and tension inside the vagina or rectum. This step helps identify where the dysfunction lives so your individualized plan fits your body and goals.

We’ll also review lifestyle factors that might make symptoms worse, such as:

  • Sitting for long hours at a computer screen
  • Poor breathing patterns during lifts
  • Chronic constipation or overactive bladder habits
  • Limited recovery between training sessions

The Road Back to Confident Movement

Pelvic floor therapy isn’t about avoiding activity — it’s about getting back to the movement you love. Whether you’re training for a race or just want to lift without worrying about leaks, we help you rebuild control, reduce pain, and restore your performance.

You’ll leave each session with practical lifestyle modifications, home exercises, and recovery habits to keep your pelvic floor strong and your body ready for anything.

This is how you take control of your health and return to doing what you love — stronger, more balanced, and pain-free.

Getting Back to Stronger, Pain-Free Movement with Pelvic Floor Therapy

Why Performance-Based Recovery Works

When you live an active life, pain doesn’t just slow you down — it changes how you move, train, and feel. That’s why our pelvic floor physical therapy program focuses on restoring balance and strength through movement, not restriction.

You’ll learn how to retrain your pelvic floor muscles, strengthen your core, and move without pain holding you back.

We combine manual therapy, myofascial release, and functional pelvic floor exercises to help your body work the way it was designed to.

This approach helps you return to running, lifting, and the outdoor life you love here in Fort Collins — whether that means training on the Poudre Trail, hitting the foothills, or playing your favorite weekend sport.

What to Expect from Your Plan

Your first appointment starts with a detailed look at your medical history, training background, and current goals. We’ll complete a thorough physical exam to assess your pelvic muscles, core, and movement patterns.

This helps us find the root of your pain and create an individualized plan that’s built around your body, not a generic protocol.

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization to relieve tension and improve blood flow
  • Tailored pelvic floor exercises that coordinate with your hips, glutes, and core
  • Mobility drills to improve movement through the pelvis and spine
  • Guided breathing and recovery work to help relax muscles and improve coordination
  • Lifestyle modifications for long-term strength and control

Every step of your plan is designed to rebuild your foundation and restore confidence in your body’s ability to move freely.

what is pelvic floor therapy

Rebuild Confidence. Restore Control.

You deserve to move without fear of pain or limitation.

Our pelvic floor physical therapists guide you through every phase of recovery so you can return to your workouts, your hobbies, and your daily life with strength and confidence.

If you’re ready to take back control and feel at home in your body again, let’s start today.

Get in touch today with our Fort Collins Pelvic Health Team at (970) 500-3427 and take the first step toward lasting strength and wellness.

a man standing in front of a sign that says up and running physical therapy.
AUTHOR

Dr. AJ Cohen

Up And Running Physical Therapy

"We Help Runners And Active Adults In The Fort Collins Area Overcome Injury And Be Stronger Than Ever, Avoid Unnecessary Time Off, All Without Medications, Injections, Or Surgery."
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