How long should a physical therapist who practices women's health PT, wait until performing an internal pelvic floor examination after delivery?
Answer
Typically, wait at least 3 weeks after delivery to perform an internal vaginal pelvic floor exam. By the 10th postpartum day, bleeding has mostly stopped, although lochia, or yellow vaginal discharge, will continue for up to 8 weeks. The neuro-musculoskeletal examination of the pelvic floor begins with inspection of the healing of the perineum, sensation and reflex testing.
Dr. Neville is a board-certified Women’s’ Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) and President of her consulting and education firm, Neville Know-How, Inc. She is currently providing clinical patient care as a pelvic health physical therapist and is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. A highlight of her career was developing the first credentialled Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency Program in the state of Florida at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville. She has published several peer-reviewed research articles and textbook chapters. She has been practicing and teaching pelvic health physical therapy courses for over 30 years.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/physical-therapist-management-pelvic-floor-4358Physical Therapist Management of Pelvic Floor Tension Myalgia: When Your Patient Has Pain "Down There"Pelvic floor tension myalgia can cause a range of symptoms including pain in the vagina and rectum, feeling of sitting on a ball or stick, and pain during intercourse. This course will explore why and how pelvic physical therapy is first line treatment for pelvic floor tension myalgia. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
Pelvic floor tension myalgia can cause a range of symptoms including pain in the vagina and rectum, feeling of sitting on a ball or stick, and pain during intercourse. This course will explore why and how pelvic physical therapy is first line treatment for pelvic floor tension myalgia. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/physical-therapy-treatment-abdominal-scars-2850Physical Therapy Treatment Of Abdominal Scars, Adhesions, and Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapments.Abdominal scars, adhesions, and nerve entrapments are a source of abdominal and pelvic musculoskeletal pain symptoms. This course will examine and discuss physical therapist examination and treatment of musculoskeletal symptoms that may be caused by or associated with abdominal scars, adhesions, and abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapments. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Abdominal scars, adhesions, and nerve entrapments are a source of abdominal and pelvic musculoskeletal pain symptoms. This course will examine and discuss physical therapist examination and treatment of musculoskeletal symptoms that may be caused by or associated with abdominal scars, adhesions, and abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapments. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-and-hypermobility-4151Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders in Women's Health Physical Therapy: Look For the ZebraWomen with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) have a high rate of pelvic floor disorders, and EDS and HSD are highly prevalent in women with pelvic health impairments. This course provides physical therapists with an evidence-based update on EDS, HSDs, and pelvic health and will explore clinical reasoning in pelvic physical therapy treatment for this diverse patient population. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Women with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) have a high rate of pelvic floor disorders, and EDS and HSD are highly prevalent in women with pelvic health impairments. This course provides physical therapists with an evidence-based update on EDS, HSDs, and pelvic health and will explore clinical reasoning in pelvic physical therapy treatment for this diverse patient population. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/wag-your-tail-pelvic-floor-4164Wag Your Tail! Pelvic Floor Disorders and the Importance of the CoccyxMRI studies show that with the performance of correct pelvic floor muscle contraction, the coccyx should move cranially, and with adequate pelvic floor muscle relaxation, the coccyx should move causally. This course examines the importance of the coccyx to the function of the pelvic floor muscles, discusses how coccyx impairments may contribute to pelvic floor muscle disorders, and explore physical therapy treatment options for coccyx impairments. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
'she was extremely knowledgeable and able to communicate that knowledge to us in a way that we could capture the essence of the practice of it'Read Reviews
MRI studies show that with the performance of correct pelvic floor muscle contraction, the coccyx should move cranially, and with adequate pelvic floor muscle relaxation, the coccyx should move causally. This course examines the importance of the coccyx to the function of the pelvic floor muscles, discusses how coccyx impairments may contribute to pelvic floor muscle disorders, and explore physical therapy treatment options for coccyx impairments. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/basic-physical-therapy-treatment-constipation-3737Basic Physical Therapy Treatment of ConstipationThis basic course will introduce clinicians to the physical therapy treatment of constipation. Participants will gain skill and knowledge in simple interventions to improve bowel evacuation that they will be able to apply immediately in the clinic. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This basic course will introduce clinicians to the physical therapy treatment of constipation. Participants will gain skill and knowledge in simple interventions to improve bowel evacuation that they will be able to apply immediately in the clinic. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
