What to expect
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Knowing exactly how a visit works removes most of the hesitation men feel about starting pelvic floor physical therapy.
Your first visit, step by step
Before your first appointment
You will receive intake paperwork and directions in advance. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Bring relevant medical information, such as surgical dates, imaging, or a physician's notes if you have them.
The initial conversation
The visit starts with a conversation, not an examination. We talk about your symptoms, what makes them better or worse, how they affect your day, and what you want to get back to.
Medical history
We review relevant surgical, urologic, bowel, and musculoskeletal history, plus medications and prior treatment, so your plan accounts for the full picture.
Goals
Your goals set the direction: fewer pads, sleeping through the night, sitting through a workday, getting back to the gym, traveling comfortably, or something specific to you.
Movement assessment
We look at breathing, posture, trunk and hip mobility, strength, and how you move and brace during everyday tasks like standing, lifting, or walking.
Pelvic floor assessment when clinically appropriate
Pelvic floor function can often be assessed externally, through movement, or through functional testing. An internal examination is considered only when it is clinically indicated.
Treatment planning
Before you leave, you should understand what was found, what it likely means, what treatment will focus on first, and roughly how progress will be measured.
Follow-up visits
Follow-ups review your response, progress your program, and adjust the plan. Visit frequency depends on your presentation and goals.
Home program when appropriate
Most men receive a short, specific home program. The goal is the smallest effective set of exercises or habit changes, not a long list you will not do.
Consent and internal examination
An internal pelvic floor examination is only performed when it is clinically indicated. If it is recommended, the reason, the procedure, and the alternatives are explained to you beforehand, and it happens only with your consent.
You can decline at any point, including partway through, and care continues. You can ask questions at any time during your evaluation, and you are encouraged to.
Practical details
Small things men usually ask about
- Appointments are one-on-one in a private treatment room
- Wear athletic shorts or loose pants and a t-shirt
- Bring a list of medications and relevant surgical dates
- Plan for a longer first visit than follow-ups
- Bring questions — written down is fine
You don't have to keep navigating this alone.
Take the next step toward understanding your pelvic health.
Prefer to ask a question first? Text 214-425-0236 or send a message.