It’s a question we get asked at PelvicSanity all the time - ‘how long before I’m better?’
The answer? It depends. But let’s dive deeper and discuss some of the factors that make pelvic floor physical therapy so complex and what you can expect. We’ll also give you some takeaways to think about when you’re in pelvic PT.
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One of the reasons we don’t know is there are so many variables that affect how long it takes to improve with pelvic floor dysfunction. These include both what’s going on with your body and what’s going on with you as an individual.
These include (but aren’t limited to):
The severity of your current symptoms
How long your current symptoms have been present
How long pelvic floor dysfunction has been ‘brewing’ in your history
How much your nervous system is involved
Your willingness to make lifestyle changes
Your capacity to commit to treatment and your support system
Whether you have a history of trauma
Your baseline health and age
What other practitioners you’re working with
The skill of your pelvic PT (they aren’t all created equal!)
With that, it’s very difficult to know how long things will take until we really start working with you and seeing how your body responds. However, a few takeaways for you:
This will be variable, but you should have great communication with your pelvic PT. They should answer your questions, not be defensive and not blame you for not improving….but they also likely won’t give you an exact answer to a question that isn’t knowable upfront.
See a difference in 3-5 visits. This isn’t necessarily even an improvement or a wholesale change, but certainly a difference in your body, how you’re feeling or at least some of your symptoms.
It’s likely longer than you’re expecting/hoping. Most patients are discharged too early, before they’ve truly found lasting relief of symptoms. We need to ‘find the why’ and make sure symptoms go away, stay away and that you can manage on your own. That process takes time - but when you go through it, the changes last!
As Nicole said in the full 'sode of the podcast on this topic...
"You should definitely be seeing a difference - not necessarily even an improvement, but certainly a change in your body - within the first 3-5 visits. If you aren’t seeing a change, may need to have a frank discussion with your pelvic PT or possibly look for another opinion." -Nicole Cozean, Pelvic Sanity
If you’re dealing with pelvic health issues, make sure you join our free FB support group (Finding Pelvic Sanity), follow us for more information on Instagram (@pelvicsanity) and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify for wherever you get your podcasts!
Who are we at PelvicSanity?
At PelvicSanity, it's our mission to support patients with pelvic pain and pelvic floor symptoms, regardless of where you live. We can help with:
- In-person treatment for those in Southern California at the PelvicSanity clinic
- Immersive Out-of-Town program for those able to travel
- Remote Consultations to get you expert 1:1 help, advice and an action plan
- Online patient courses on Interstitial Cystitis and Movement for Pelvic Health
- A Facebook support group for patients called Finding Pelvic Sanity.
