What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
The “pelvic floor” is a group of muscles situated at the bottom of the pelvis that is important for a variety of functions, one of the most important being to help us maintain control of our bowels and bladder. When these muscles are too weak, too tight, have abnormal tone or are uncoordinated, we see this manifest in abnormal bowel and/or bladder function. APT with specialized training can assess the function of your child’s pelvic floor muscles and utilize exercise and biofeedback to restore appropriate muscle function to improve bowel and bladder issues.
How to Know if Your Child Needs Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for adults—it can be a life-changing support for children who struggle with bladder and bowel issues. If your child is experiencing frequent accidents, constipation, bedwetting beyond age expectations, or urgency that disrupts daily activities, pelvic floor therapy may help. This specialized form of physical therapy targets the muscles that support toileting, posture, and core strength.
Common signs that your child may benefit include:
- Bedwetting (typically beyond age 6)
- Urinary incontinence with laughing
- Urinary incontinence with sports or physical activity
- Frequent or infrequent urination (>8 times per day or <3 times per day)
- Frequent UTIs
- Constipation
- Fecal incontinence or encoparesis
- Painful bowel movements or straining to complete bowel movements
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
If these challenges are affecting your child’s confidence, comfort, or daily life, pelvic floor therapy could offer the support they need. Our team can assess your child’s needs and develop a gentle, kid-friendly treatment plan.
What does a pelvic floor PT session look like for my child?
To learn more about what one of our session might look like, check out the link below for a Blog Post.
