Physical Therapy 

We use a comprehensive approach to treat many different pelvic health and musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy, such as: 

• Bladder dysfunction (leaking, urgency) 

• Urge control difficulties 

• Back or hip pain, including sciatica 

• Pelvic pain or pressure, including pubic symphysis dysfunction

Additionally, we can offer guidance on safe and effective exercise recommendations during pregnancy to allow you to continue to participate in the activities you love most as much as possible and continue to feel strong and confident throughout your entire pregnancy.

Pelvic health physical therapists are unique experts in helping you prepare for labor and delivery, and we are no exception! Birth prep is critical so you are able to go into the final stages of your pregnancy with the confidence of knowing you are as prepared as possible for birth. Preparing your body for birth can reduce the risk of developing pelvic health or orthopedic dysfunction postpartum. Even if your pregnancy has been perfect and pain free, one visit to discuss birth preparation is extremely beneficial for every pregnant mama, regardless of if this is your first or fifth childbirth. 

Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest in various ways, most commonly including: 

• Pelvic floor weakness 

• Bladder dysfunction (leaking, urgency, frequency) 

• Back, hip, and pelvic pain

• Pelvic pressure and pelvic organ prolapse

• Diastasis rectus abdominis (abdominal separation)

• Perineal and/or C-section scar pain

• Discomfort/pain during sexual activity 

We utilize evidence-based techniques to effectively address these issues and many more. Additionally, we offer guidance on safely returning to daily and recreational activities and workouts, ensuring a smooth transition back to your lifestyle.

Remember that you are "postpartum" forever after childbirth, meaning that it is NEVER too late to get help for postpartum dysfunction! 

While it is extremely common (but not normal!) to experience bladder dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum, symptoms of dysfunction can arise at any time. At Venus PT & Fitness, we are here to treat all types of bladder dysfunction at any time in the lifespan. The most common bladder dysfunctions include: 

• Urinary incontinence (bladder leaking) 

• Difficulty controlling bladder urgency and frequency (overactive bladder) 

• Difficulty emptying your bladder 

• Pain with a full bladder or with emptying your bladder 

• Interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome 

• Frequent UTIs 

Some of the lesser-talked about conditions that can occur postpartum (or any point in the lifespan!) are bowel dysfunction. The good news is we are here to help you fully recover from these conditions & more: 

• Fecal incontinence (loss of stool control) and urgency

• Constipation and difficulty emptying the rectum 

• Pain with bowel movements

• Anal fissures and hemorrhoids 

• Chronic bowel dysfunction (such as IBS) 

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one of your pelvic organs (bladder, urethra, uterus, rectum, or small intestine) push into the vaginal canal or vaginal wall. Often, this creates symptoms of pelvic pressure, heaviness, or fullness, and/or a bulge in the vaginal canal. Again, this is extremely common (but not normal!) during pregnancy or postpartum, but can occur at any point in a person's life. We are here to treat:

• Cystocele (bladder) 

• Urethrocele (urethra) 

• Cervical, uterine, or vaginal vault prolapse (cervix, uterus, or top of the vaginal vault) 

• Rectocele or enterocele (rectum or small intestine) 

Low back and hip pain are extremely common throughout the lifespan. Pain is often caused by dysfunction in the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints (where the spine and pelvis meet up), pelvic bones, or any of the soft tissue surrounding the region, including the glutes, core, pelvic floor, spinal muscles or lumbopelvic ligaments. 

A variety of abdominal and pelvic dysfunction and pain conditions are treated with and significantly improved by pelvic health physical therapy including:

• Pubic symphysis pain 

• Lower abdominal and pelvic pain 

• Pain with intimate and sexual activities 

• Endometriosis 

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome 

• Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) 

• Pain and/or dysfunction following abdominopelvic surgery (bladder sling, hysterectomy, C section)

Tissue restriction combined with muscle weakness and poor coordination are often the cause of pain with these conditions, and are where we can provide the most help to you. 

We are also able to assist in mechanical infertility by improving tissue mobility and fluid movement to improve the ability of the reproductive organs to function as normal.