What’s the Difference Between a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist and My OB-GYN
Pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause are life events that can be overwhelming to navigate, with a variety of questions and concerns. Pelvic health conditions often involve multiple systems of the body and can be complicated to address.
The best advice I could give as a pelvic health provider is to be aware of the importance of building a well-rounded, cohesive team of specialists to help navigate these life changes and the conditions that sometimes accompany them.
The other day, I was asked a great question, which made me realize other women may also have this same question. “What’s the difference between a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist and a Gynecologist?”.
The Difference Between Pelvic Floor PTs and Gynecologists
First, it is important to acknowledge Pelvic PT and Gynecologists do treat many of the same conditions, including, but not limited to:
- urinary leakage
- pelvic organ prolapse
- pelvic pain
These symptoms often present during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause.
Gynecologists
Gynecologists are Medical Doctors, meaning they are responsible for screening, testing, and treating medical conditions such as cancer, uterine fibroids, and infections. They monitor expectant mothers for medical concerns that could put her or the baby’s life at risk, deliver babies, and evaluate the mother at 6 weeks postpartum.
Gynecologists are also surgeons. Some procedures they perform include Cesarean Sections and prolapse repairs. Gynecologists also work with hormone replacement therapy, prescribing as necessary to help with perimenopause and post-menopause symptoms.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists
While treating many overlapping conditions, physical therapists are not Medical Doctors, but Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT). Pelvic Health PTs should have advanced course training beyond their DPT in pelvic floor assessment and treatment. While we do not examine nor treat medical conditions, such as UTI or cancer, we are trained in screening for signs and symptoms of medical concern that warrant referral to Primary Care or OB-GYN.
Like all physical therapists, pelvic PTs focus on musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular function during daily living activities. These activities include anything important to the patient – exercising, working, caring for children, or having sex – to name a few. Pelvic PTs perform internal vaginal and/or rectal exams but for pelvic floor muscle assessment.
This does not provide the same information that your OB-GYN is looking for during your appointment with them. Rather, this is how we assess pelvic floor strength, endurance, coordination, and pain. This helps us work with you to design an individualized prevention or treatment program.
How do OB-GYN and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists Work Together?
Your OBGYN is highly skilled in medical screening and testing, medication and/or hormone prescription, performing various pelvic surgeries, and delivering babies. Your Pelvic PT’s job is to contact your OBGYN if there is suspicion for any condition requiring medical intervention. It is important to keep up with your regular/scheduled OBGYN appointments while completing a plan of care with your Pelvic PT and discuss your progress with all providers involved in your care.
Your Pelvic PT’s job is to help you learn how to protect your pelvis and its muscles during activity and prevent and eliminate symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, painful intercourse, and pelvic pressure. We teach you how to functionally use your body in a controlled environment to replicate the activities in your life that were otherwise problematic. We help you design a safe, thorough exercise program during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. And, yes, this is so much more than just Kegels.
How We Work With Your OBGYN
At Pillar Kinetic, we can work with your OBGYN to help you navigate complicated life events like pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Our job is to design a safe exercise program to eliminate symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, painful intercourse, and pelvic pressure.
Get started with pelvic floor therapy in Las Vegas today.