What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Written By Crystal Heath

What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
By Crystal Heath, PT, DPT

When people hear “physical therapy,” they usually picture someone rehabbing a shoulder injury or learning to walk again after surgery. But did you know there’s a whole branch of PT focused on one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of the body? It’s called pelvic floor physical therapy, and it's what I specialize in.

Whether you're navigating pregnancy, healing postpartum, managing pelvic pain, or dealing with bladder or bowel issues, this work can be life-changing. And you don’t have to “just live with it.”

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sit at the bottom of your pelvis, stretching like a hammock from your pubic bone in the front to your tailbone in the back. These muscles may be small, but they are mighty, playing a role in just about everything you do every day.

Your pelvic floor muscles are responsible for:

  • Supporting your organs — like your bladder, uterus (or prostate), and rectum

  • Controlling your bladder and bowels — they help open and close your urethra and anus

  • Sexual function — they contribute to sensation and orgasm

  • Stabilizing your pelvis and spine — they’re a key part of your deep core

  • Stretching and adapting during pregnancy and childbirth

When the pelvic floor is too tight, too weak, or just not coordinating well, it can cause a wide range of symptoms—some subtle, some that really impact your daily life.

Who is pelvic floor PT for?

In short: if you have a pelvis, this care is for you.

I work with all kinds of clients—women, men, and people of all gender identities—dealing with:

  • Leaking urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or working out

  • Pelvic pain (with sex, tampons, or even sitting)

  • Constipation or difficulty emptying

  • Pelvic organ prolapse

  • Pregnancy labor prep and postpartum recovery

  • Painful periods or endometriosis

  • Low back, hip, or SI joint pain tied to pelvic floor dysfunction

These symptoms are common, but they are not something you have to just deal with. There’s support—and it can start here.

What to Expect During a Pelvic PT Visit

Your first session starts with a real conversation. We'll talk about your story, your symptoms, and your goals. I’ll look at how your whole body is working together—posture, breathing, core engagement, hip and spine mobility—because your pelvic floor doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

If it feels right for you, and if it’s appropriate, I may also suggest an internal pelvic exam to get a better understanding of how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. This is always done with your full consent, and I’ll walk you through every step so you feel safe, informed, and in control.

From there, we’ll create a plan just for you. That might include:

  • Gentle manual therapy (internal or external) to release tension or improve mobility

  • Exercises to build strength, coordination, or relaxation of the pelvic floor

  • Core and breathing strategies to support movement and stability

  • Education—because when you understand your body, you’re empowered to heal it

Every treatment is unique—because so are you.

Why I Do This Work

Pelvic health isn’t talked about enough. Too many people suffer in silence, told their symptoms are “normal” or “just part of having a baby” or “just getting older.” But that’s not the full story. You deserve answers. You deserve relief. And you absolutely deserve to feel at home in your body.

That’s why I started Pelvic Health by Crystal. My goal is to provide the kind of care I wish everyone knew existed—supportive, informed, compassionate, and centered around you.

If anything you’ve read here resonates, I’d love to support you. You're not alone, and you're not broken. Healing is possible, and I’m here when you’re ready.

Ready to get started?
 Whether you're curious, nervous, or just tired of being told your symptoms are “normal,” I’m here to help. You deserve support that listens to your story and works with your body.

💌 Reach out through my contact page to ask a question or schedule a discovery call.

📍Serving clients in the San Diego area, both in-person and virtually.

Let’s get you feeling better—one step at a time.

Crystal Heath https://pelvichealthbycrystal.com