Chicago’s Top Rated Local® Physical Therapy

Pelvic Health

Core Physical Therapy Pelvic Health

Core Physical Therapy’s Pelvic Health Program treats pelvic floor disorders, lumbopelvic pain, and prenatal and postnatal musculoskeletal pain in women. Amy and Anna empower and educate their pelvic health patients through a comprehensive, skilled evaluation, and develop an individualized plan of care centered on the patient’s specific goals from leak free sneezing and  pain free sex to high level running and weight lifting. The patient will receive one hour one-on-one treatment in a private and comfortable setting and receive the most up to date treatment methods to assist in return to feeling like oneself. Amy and Anna optimize function, restore healthy and functional pelvic floor muscles, and alleviate pain using a comprehensive approach to treating pelvic floor dysfunction leveraging their background in orthopedics and neurology.

What is the pelvic floor therapy rehab?

A non-surgical approach to rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscle group, which is responsible for pelvic organ support, assist in bowel and bladder control, and contribute to sexual health. A pelvic floor examination may include examination of the lumbar spine and hips, internal and external assessment of the pelvic floor muscles and tissues, functional strength, and postures. Treatment may include behavioral strategies, manual therapies, modalities, therapeutic exercise, education, and functional re-training.

Click Here to Schedule an appointment with our Pelvic Health Physical Therapists in our Lincoln Park or West Loop locations.

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a series of muscles that stretch like a muscular trampoline from the tailbone (coccyx) to the pubic bone and from one sitting bone to the other sitting bone. These muscles are normally firm and thick and provide support to the pelvic organs. The organs in this area include the bladder, uterus (women), prostate (men), and rectum (the area at the end of the large intestine where the body stores solid waste). The musculature trampoline can contract and relax to allow for proper urination, bowel movements, and sexual function. Although the pelvic floor is hidden from view, it can be consciously controlled and therefore trained, much like our arm, leg or abdominal muscles.

Common Diagnoses Treated:

  • Low back, hip, and pelvic pain
  • Bladder Dysfunction and pain
  • Diastasis Recti
  • Birthing injuries
  • Gynecological or breast cancer survivorship
  • Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • Back, hip, pelvis, or abdominal pain after or during pregnancy
  • Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Instruction on proper body mechanics to prevent back pain, exercises to strengthen, engage, and/or relax pelvic floor muscles, and manual therapy
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Tailbone pain (coccydynia)
  • Urinary or fecal incontinence
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency

What is the cost of care?

Starting January 1st, 2022, our Pelvic Health Physical Therapists will only be in-network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare plans.  We will submit claims on behalf of the patient to be reimbursed to us directly. Patient’s with all other insurance carriers will be bill $140/visit at the time of service.  We will provide all the necessary paperwork for these patients to submit claims to their insurance carriers for reimbursement.

Why are the Pelvic Health Physical Therapists out-of-network with other plans?

Unfortunately, being a participating provider in these plans has become significantly harder due to their continued decrease in reimbursement rates.  Core Physical Therapy has attempted numerous times to address our concerns with these carriers and emphasized that our Pelvic Health program requires a higher level of skill and time and should merit a reasonable reimbursement rate.  These insurance companies have declined to engage in a meaningful discussion.  Core PT has always maintained a high standard of care for our patients, and as a company, we are unwilling to compromise or cut corners due to insurance company shortcomings.

There are many benefits of being out-of-network with these plans for our patients.  Our therapist will be able to spend a full hour every visit with their patients for a more comprehensive treatment.  This will hopefully allow for fewer overall visits.  Additionally, these other carriers frequently require pre-authorization for care to be rendered.  This means that patients are given a certain amount of visits that must be used in a specific timeframe.  We all know that life doesn’t necessarily work life that.  Being out-of-network will allow patients to be seen when they are in need and as often as they feel they need to reach their goals.