Frequently Asked Questions





Does insurance cover pelvic physical therapy?



Yes, insurance will usually cover pelvic physical therapy because it is physical therapy. Refer to your benefits to review the number of visits, the copay, and/or the coinsurance for physical therapy services. If you are unsure of those items, please call the office and we will be able to assist with that.


There are some insurance companies that I am not contracted with and in those cases, an individual can be a self-pay or cash pay client.


Payment, whether you are self-pay or have a copay and/or coinsurance, is due at the time of service.



What do I need to Wear?



You will want to wear clothing that can be easily manipulated or removed. Access to boney landmarks on the pelvis and the abdomen may be needed so you will clothing that can be adjusted appropriately to expose areas as needed. You will also be performing exercises, so you will clothing that is not restrictive or conducive to exercise. When an internal exam or interventions are necessary, you will want clothing that is easy to remove. You will be provided with a cover sheet.



Will an Internal exam be performed at every visit?



In internal exam allows the therapist to fully assess the pelvic floor muscles and how they are functioning. An internal exam helps to develop the best treatment approach for each patient. If part of the plan is to coordinate pelvic floor muscle contractions with abdominal stabilization exercises, an internal assessment is necessary to ensure the proper co-contraction is occurring.


There are times when an internal exam is not appropriate, such as the age of the patient or during pregnancy or an active infection, and external palpation will be utilized instead. However, external palpation does not provide the same information as internal palpation and assessment of the pelvic floor muscles provide.



How long do the sessions last?



Each treatment session is 1-on-1 for 60 minutes. During that time, the therapist assesses for what the issue is, follows up on the exercises or activities that you've been given for a home program, provides education on the diagnosis & exercises, answers questions that you may have, and provides & progresses the treatment plan that has been developed.



Can I bring my spouse or my child to the appointment with me?



In some cases, it may be necessary to have your spouse attend therapy with you. In other cases, some spouses, or the patient, may feel uncomfortable during the internal exam or during discussions regarding the diagnosis while the spouse is present. While a supportive spouse may not be turned away, the therapist does reserve the right to ask that the spouse remain in the waiting area during the session. Under HIPAA rules and regulations, the therapist is unable to speak to the spouse regarding the patient's treatment without the patient's consent.


Sometimes it is difficult to find child care for an hour appointment. Please remember the nature of the physical therapy visit and that it may not be appropriate for your child to be present. If the child is disruptive during the therapy session or creates an environment that is not conducive to therapy, the therapist reserves the right to ask that the child is not present during the session. It is not recommended that children sit unattended in the waiting area.



If my child is attending therapy, am I allowed in the treatment room?



Yes, as a parent your role is vital to the success that your child will experience in therapy. Your child will look to you for support & encouragement. The therapist will want you there to help with home programs and education on the exercises & diagnosis. It is usually not recommended to perform internal exams on children however, external palpation may be necessary. A parent's support & encouragement can be very beneficial during pelvic physical therapy.