How to Prepare for Your First Pelvic Physio Visit
- Staff Writer
- Nov 21, 2025
- 3 min read
Deciding to book an appointment with a pelvic health physiotherapist is a huge step toward prioritizing your well-being. It’s natural to feel a mix of hope and nervousness, especially since the assessment involves sensitive areas. To help ease any anxiety and ensure your first visit at our clinic is productive and comfortable, we’ve put together a guide on what to expect and how to prepare. Knowing the process in advance allows you to maximize your time with the specialist and ensure you get the most accurate diagnosis possible.
What to Bring and What to Wear
Being prepared with administrative and personal information helps us focus quickly on your care.
What to Bring:
Referral: If you have one from your doctor (though often not required to start treatment).
Medication List: A list of any medications, supplements, or vitamins you are currently taking.
Relevant Medical Reports: Any reports from previous surgeries, ultrasounds, or diagnostic imaging (if applicable to your symptoms).
Bladder/Bowel Diary (Optional but Helpful): If your primary complaint is incontinence or frequency, tracking your fluid intake and bathroom visits for 2-3 days prior is incredibly useful.
What to Wear: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing—like activewear, shorts, or yoga pants. We will need to assess your movement patterns, and you’ll likely be asked to undress down to your underwear for certain parts of the assessment (with draping, of course).
Preparing to Discuss Your History
The first and longest part of the session is the confidential discussion of your history. Nothing is off-limits or TMI (too much information) for a pelvic health physio. Be prepared to discuss:
Chief Complaint: What are your main symptoms? (Pain, leakage, heaviness, difficulty with bowels, etc.)
Birth/Surgical History: Details about your pregnancies, vaginal deliveries (tears, stitches, instruments), C-sections, hysterectomies, or prostate surgeries.
Bowel and Bladder Habits: How often do you go? Do you strain? Do you feel empty?
Sexual Health: If relevant to your symptoms, be prepared to discuss any pain with intimacy.
Activity Goals: What activities do you want to get back to? (Running, lifting, playing with children, etc.)
Tip: Write down all your questions and concerns beforehand so you don't forget anything.
The Physical Assessment: What to Expect
The physical assessment is thorough and always respects your comfort level. You have the right to stop or decline any part of the assessment at any time.
External Assessment: This involves assessing your posture, how you breathe, your spine and hips, and your abdominal wall (checking for Diastasis Recti). We may ask you to perform a few movements like squats, walking, or lifting your leg.
Internal Pelvic Floor Assessment (With Consent): This is often necessary to get an accurate diagnosis, but is always optional. It involves the therapist gently inserting one finger vaginally and/or rectally to assess the pelvic floor muscles. They will check for:
Muscle tension (tightness).
Muscle strength, endurance, and coordination.
Signs of prolapse.
Tender points or trigger points causing pain.
Note: If you are menstruating, the internal exam can still be performed, but if you are uncomfortable, we can focus on the external assessment and reschedule the internal portion.
After the Visit: The Next Steps
At the end of your session, your pelvic health physiotherapist will:
Explain Findings: Clearly explain what the assessment revealed and how it relates to your symptoms.
Develop a Plan: Provide a personalized treatment plan, including the expected frequency of visits.
Home Program: Send you home with 1-2 key exercises or strategies to start right away.
Your first visit is about finding the source of the problem and building a respectful, comfortable partnership. We are here to help you heal and achieve your wellness goals.
Book your initial confidential pelvic physiotherapy visit at our Milton clinic today.
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