Post-surgical pelvic rehabilitation in Las Vegas
Our article on physical therapy after abdominal surgery explains why scar tissue matters. For a joint operation such as a knee or shoulder repair, see post-surgical rehabilitation.
Surgeries we see people after
People come to us before the operation, soon after it, or years later.
- Hysterectomy: rebuilding the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles afterwards
- Endometriosis excision: before and after the operation
- Prostatectomy: leaking and pelvic floor recovery after prostate surgery
- C-section: scar sensitivity, numbness or tension, even years later
- Prolapse or incontinence repair: alongside the surgery, before and after
- Other abdominal surgery: including old scars, such as a childhood appendectomy
What an incision leaves behind
Every incision heals with scar tissue, and what shows on the skin can be the small part of it. Deeper adhesions can leave numbness, tingling and a pulling tension around the site, even after a good surgical result.
Scar tissue can also pull on the tissue around it and switch off nearby muscles, so others overwork. In the pelvis that can show up as bladder or bowel symptoms, pain, or pain with sex.
Before your operation
If your surgery is scheduled, the time before it counts. For prolapse or incontinence repairs and endometriosis excision we recommend working with your pelvic floor physical therapist before and after the operation, and men with prostate surgery on the calendar can start before it too.
What treatment can include
We assess tissue mobility from the outside, and sometimes internally, always with your consent.
- Scar and soft tissue mobilization
- Pelvic floor retraining
- Abdominal strength, rebuilt progressively
- Bladder retraining
- Dry needling where it helps
- A home program
Your first visit after surgery
An hour, one-on-one. We go through the surgery, your recovery so far, your symptoms and your goals, then assess the scar and the tissue around it, your abdomen, pelvic floor, hips and spine.
Keep up the follow-ups your surgeon recommends alongside the work we do.
Book appointmentFrequently asked questions
My surgeon cleared me. Why do I need physical therapy?
Clearance is about healing. Scar tissue can still limit how the surrounding tissue moves and switch off nearby muscles, so pain, numbness or bladder symptoms can remain after a good surgical result.
Should I wait until after surgery to start?
No. Without addressing the muscle and nerve function around the surgery, you may not get its full benefit. For prolapse or incontinence repairs and endometriosis excision we recommend working with us before and after.
Is it too late if my surgery was years ago?
No. It is ideal to start while the tissue is still healing, but it is never too late. People still report numbness, tingling and tension from Cesarean scars years after delivery, and older scars can be treated too.
Does this include surgery for cancer?
Yes. If your cancer treatment may affect your pelvic floor, as abdominal or gynecologic surgery or a prostatectomy can, it is worth starting to work on muscle function as early in your treatment as possible.
Related care
More in pelvic floor physical therapy: post-surgical physical therapy; diastasis recti physical therapy; pelvic organ prolapse therapy; and prostatitis and male pelvic pain therapy.
Post-surgical pelvic rehabilitation for patients from Las Vegas, Spring Valley, North Las Vegas, Summerlin South, Summerlin and Summerlin West, at our clinic at 7381 Prairie Falcon Rd, Ste 110, Las Vegas.