Yes it is and it can really help for issues like leaking and pain.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the bottom of the pelvis that helps control the bladder and bowel and also contributes to sexual function and pelvic stability.

Physical therapy evaluates how those muscles are working along with the hips, spine, abdomen, breathing and surrounding nerves and tissues.

Treatment may involve strengthening, relaxation, coordination, manual treatment, mobility work and exercises depending on what your body needs.

Most patients I see are very surprised by how helpful their treatment is. They often say that they thought about not coming but they were very glad they did.

We start by talking about your symptoms, medical or surgical history and what you want to get back to doing.

Your exam may include your back, hips, abdomen, movement and pelvic floor. You also begin treatment and leave with a simple home plan.

It is often important to do a good examination of the pelvic floor to determine if issues are coming from being weak or muscles being too tight. Both of these situations are treated very differently.

Evaluation of the pelvic floor can be external (with clothes on) or internal (rectally). An internal rectal exam can provide useful information, especially for pelvic pain conditions, but it is not required and is only done when appropriate and with your permission. If it is determined that one might be useful, we will go over the procedure and why it is helpful before you decide what you want to do.

Absolutely. Many men feel unsure or uncomfortable about what to expect, and that is completely understandable. We will explain everything first, go at your pace, and only do what you are comfortable with. You can still benefit from treatment even if you choose not to have an internal exam.

Online exercises can be a starting point, but pelvic floor problems are difficult to self-assess. It is very common to use the wrong muscles, hold your breath, over-tighten—or strengthen muscles that actually need to relax.

A few focused visits can help determine what your pelvic floor actually needs, make sure you are doing the right exercises correctly, and give you a plan you can continue on your own.

I often see men try to start with online exercises and either do them incorrectly, or worse they do the wrong thing for their condition. This can either delay your progress or make things worse. There really is no online substitute for a skilled expert assessment of your condition to determine the correct treatment for you as an individual.

It depends on what we are treating.

After prostatectomy or a BPH procedure, many men need only a few focused visits—often around 3–4—to make sure they are using the right muscles, progressing correctly, and managing leakage during everyday activities.

Pelvic pain is usually more complex and may take longer. Some men improve fairly quickly, while others benefit from treatment spread over several months as we work through muscle tension, nerve sensitivity, movement problems and symptom flare-ups.

We will talk about what makes sense for you and adjust the plan as you improve. The goal is always to give you the tools to manage independently—not keep you coming longer than necessary.

Yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help with urinary leakage after prostatectomy, HoLEP, TURP and other prostate procedures.

Treatment is more than just “do Kegels.” We check whether you are using the right muscles, how strong and coordinated they are, and what happens during the activities that actually cause leaking—such as standing up, walking, coughing, lifting or getting out of a chair.

We then teach you how to use the pelvic floor correctly during everyday movement and progress the exercises as your control improves. If things go smoothly, we often only need around 3-4 visits to assess what you need and get you successfully doing exercises at home.

You can start pelvic floor training after surgery once your catheter is removed and your surgeon allows you to resume activity. Even if you have already been leaking for months, it may still be worth an evaluation.

The goal is simple: less leaking, fewer pads and more confidence during your normal day.

Treatment for leaking varies but often does not require an internal exam and only takes a handful of visits.

I often find that men that try to do exercises on their own or with online information either don't know what to do or do the wrong exercise and make things worse. It is crucial to get one-on-one treatment from an expert to do things correctly and not make them worse. Men often say to me that they thought about not coming in but are very glad they did because treatment was very helpful.

Yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help when pain is being driven or aggravated by tight muscles, irritated nerves, poor coordination, or problems involving the hips, spine and surrounding tissues.

Symptoms may include pain or pressure in the pelvis, perineum, testicles, penis, rectum or tailbone; pain with sitting or ejaculation; urinary urgency or frequency; or symptoms labeled as chronic prostatitis/CPPS when infection is not the cause.

Treatment is individualized and usually starts gently. We explain what we find and what we recommend, and you are always in control of what treatment you are comfortable with.

We also treat problems including chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), pudendal neuralgia, coccydynia, testicular or scrotal pain, penile pain, perineal pain, and constipation

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The goal is to identify what is actually contributing to your pain and give you a focused plan to reduce symptoms and get back to daily life more comfortably.

Not always. West Virginia allows direct access to physical therapy, so you can be evaluated without a referral.

However, some insurance plans still require a physician referral or order for coverage or reimbursement. Call us at 304-842-6008 and we can help you determine what your specific plan requires before your first visit.