What Is a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist? Understanding Their Vital Role in Your Wellness
By Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT - Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at Empower Your Pelvis
What Does a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Do?
At Empower Your Pelvis, we specialize in pelvic health, and today we’re here to answer a common question: What exactly is a pelvic health physical therapist, and what do we do? Understanding our role can help you better appreciate the journey we've taken to become experts in this essential area of wellness.
The Path to Becoming a Physical Therapist
Becoming a physical therapist is no small feat. It starts with a four-year undergraduate degree, often in fields like kinesiology, exercise science, nutrition, or health sciences—programs that meet the prerequisites for applying to physical therapy school.
The application process is highly competitive, requiring a strong GPA, a solid GRE score, community involvement, and a variety of extracurricular activities. To be honest, the pressure of applying to PT school was overwhelming—I even lost my hair from the stress! But it was worth every hurdle to pursue a career that I'm so passionate about.
The Doctoral Journey: Building a Strong Foundation
Once accepted into a physical therapy program, we embark on a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This rigorous education covers a wide range of specialties, from pediatrics and neurology to orthopedics. Unlike previous generations who earned a master’s degree, today’s physical therapists graduate with a doctorate, which includes additional coursework in pharmacology and research-based care. This allows us to provide evidence-based treatments for a wide range of conditions.
But when it comes to the pelvic floor, our doctoral education only scratches the surface. We learn where the pelvic floor muscles are, how they function, and their associated nerves. However, the real expertise in pelvic health comes from specialized post-graduate training.
Specializing in Pelvic Health
To become a pelvic health physical therapist, we undergo additional education and training beyond the DPT program. This includes courses that focus on pelvic health issues such as bladder and bowel dysfunction, sexual health, and overall pelvic well-being. These specialized courses equip us with the skills to create personalized treatment plans for patients dealing with conditions like incontinence, pelvic pain, and postpartum recovery.
At Empower Your Pelvis, pelvic health is our passion. While we work with a variety of patients, including men and individuals with urological, neurological, and gastrointestinal concerns, a significant portion of our practice involves treating pregnant and postpartum individuals. This focus makes us uniquely qualified to address the specific needs of this patient population, setting us apart in the field of pelvic health.
Lifelong Learning and Staying Current
Our commitment to education doesn’t end once we earn our DPT. We are continually expanding our knowledge by staying up to date with the latest research, techniques, and best practices in pelvic health. Whether it's learning a new technique for addressing pelvic pain or exploring advanced postpartum recovery methods, we’re always striving to provide our patients with the best possible care.
Conclusion: Why Choose a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist?
Pelvic health physical therapists are dedicated professionals with extensive training that goes far beyond traditional physical therapy. At Empower Your Pelvis, we pride ourselves on offering specialized care to help patients regain control over their health, whether they’re dealing with pregnancy-related issues, incontinence, or chronic pelvic pain. If you're seeking expert care for your pelvic health, our team is here to guide you on your wellness journey.
Get Professional Help
If you're looking for “pelvic floor therapy near me”, consider scheduling a consultation at one of our locations in Kansas City-Overland Park, Kansas, or Lees Summit, Missouri. Click here to book your appointment.
Give the Gift of Pelvic Health – Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Gift Cards!
Are you searching for a thoughtful, meaningful gift that shows you truly care? Look no further! A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Gift Card is the perfect way to support your loved one's health and wellness journey.
With wellness in your pelvis-
Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)