FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

GETTING STARTED

How do I know if I need pelvic floor physical therapy?
How do I know if I need pelvic floor physical therapy?

You might need pelvic floor therapy if you’re dealing with any of these problems:

  • Urinary Issues: Like leaking pee, feeling a strong need to go often (more than 7 times a day), or trouble starting to pee.
  • Bowel Issues: Constipation, leaking poop, or having a hard time emptying your bowels.
  • Pelvic Pain: Pain in the lower belly, genitals, tailbone, or pubic area. This can include pain during sex, inserting tampons, or during gynecological exams.
  • Pregnancy and Postpartum: If you have pain, leaking, or pressure during pregnancy, or if you’re recovering after giving birth (especially if there was tearing).
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Feeling heaviness or pressure in the vagina, which could mean organs are shifting or dropping.
  • Low Back or Hip Pain: Chronic pain in these areas might be linked to the pelvic floor.
  • Other Conditions: Endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, or recovering from surgeries like a hysterectomy or hernia repair.

Pelvic physical therapy helps to strengthen and relax the muscles in your pelvic area, which can ease these symptoms and help you get back to feeling like yourself again! If you’re not sure if this therapy is right for you, a consultation can help you decide.

Will pelvic floor therapy work for me?
Will pelvic floor therapy work for me?

Pelvic floor therapy can be very effective, but it works best for those who are committed to the process. The people who see the most success are the ones who show up for their appointments, follow the treatment plan their Doctor of Physical Therapy creates, and practice their exercises at home. It’s about taking small, consistent steps toward your goals.

If you’re ready to take charge of your health and stay active—even after therapy ends—pelvic floor therapy can absolutely work for you! We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Pelvic floor therapy might not be the right fit if you’re unable to commit to regular appointments or don’t have time to make changes at home. It’s also less effective for those who jump between different treatments or expect immediate results. Being inconsistent will slow down your progress. Success takes patience, consistency, and a willingness to follow the plan your Doctor of Physical Therapy creates for you.

If you’re ready to put in the effort, we’re here to help you achieve lasting results!

How do I set up an evaluation?
How do I set up an evaluation?

The first step is setting up a phone consultation with our Patient Care Coordinator. Set aside 15-20 minutes for your phone consultation. You may select a time here: https://link.srvcsndr.com/widget/bookings/pelvicprescriptionconsult 

During your phone consultation, please have your schedule handy so that you can reserve your evaluation appointment. We hold a couple of evaluation slots each week for new patients. Due to limited evaluation spots each week, we require a $75 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot. Don’t worry if you need to reschedule your appointment, you may do so and still apply your deposit to your rescheduled appointment time without losing it!

What can I expect at my first visit or evaluation?
What can I expect at my first visit or evaluation?

Your first visit will be with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy. We’ll start by spending 10-15 minutes talking about your medical history, your current condition, and what goals you want to achieve. After that, your therapist will watch how you move and take a closer look at the area that’s bothering you to figure out what might be causing your symptoms at its root cause.

Based on what we find, we’ll put together a personalized plan and recommend the best course of treatment to help you get back to enjoying your life!

What should I wear?
What should I wear?

We recommend wearing athletic or comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily. Think of something you might wear to a yoga class or for a light workout!

How long is each visit?
How long is each visit?

Each visit is a full hour with your Doctor of Physical Therapy. You’ll always have one-on-one time with your therapist and will never be passed off to a tech, unlike at some insurance-based clinics.

Should I ask my doctor if I should do pelvic floor physical therapy?
Should I ask my doctor if I should do pelvic floor physical therapy?

You can ask your doctor, but keep in mind that many doctors aren’t specialized in pelvic floor conditions. To get the most accurate information, it’s often more helpful to speak directly with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in pelvic health. We can provide a thorough evaluation and discuss the best options for your specific situation.

Do I need a referral to see a pelvic floor physical therapist?
Do I need a referral to see a pelvic floor physical therapist?

No, you do not need a referral to see a pelvic floor physical therapist in North Carolina, as it is a direct access state, meaning that you do not need a referral. However, some insurance plans might require a referral for coverage or reimbursement from a superbill, so it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare plan if you plan on submitting to your insurance on your own.

SCHEDULING
& APPOINTMENTS

What are your earliest and latest appointments available?
What are your earliest and latest appointments available?

Our Doctors of Physical Therapy have appointments as early as 7:00am and as late as 5:00pm. However, we do require that new patients schedule their first appointment or evaluation between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.

Can I schedule an appointment online?
Can I schedule an appointment online?

No, we do not have online scheduling. 

Can I change my appointment to a video session?
Can I change my appointment to a video session?

Yes! We see most of our patients for a video session at least once or twice during the course of their care. This allows your Doctor of Physical Therapy to do a home or workspace assessment to improve your success at home with lifestyle or behavior changes that will speed up your progress. Furthermore, when things outside of our patients’ control arise, we are able to transition to a video appointment to ensure progress of their treatment plan without backsliding. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy have treated some of our patients 100% via video sessions! 

Can I bring my spouse/friend with me to my appointment?
Can I bring my spouse/friend with me to my appointment?

Yes! You are welcome to bring a spouse or friend with you to your appointments– that is completely your decision! Some of our new patients may choose to bring someone with them for their first appointment. Most of our prenatal patients will bring a partner to 1-2 sessions for birth preparation sometime in their third trimester. 

Can I bring my baby/child with me to my appointments?
Can I bring my baby/child with me to my appointments?

Yes! You may bring your baby or child to your appointment with you. We love to keep pelvic floor therapy accessible even if you don’t have childcare, however you know your child and yourself best, so if you feel that having your child with you may take away from your evaluation or treatment, you may consider bringing a partner or friend with you to your appointment to watch your baby or finding childcare so you can step away for 1 hour to fill your cup back up!

We do have a nursery in the clinic where some of our patients may come early or stay late to nurse their baby, which is available to you to use! 

What’s your cancellation policy?
What’s your cancellation policy?

Due to the intimate size of our practice, we do require 48 business hours of notice for any appointment changes. This ensures that we can offer your spot to someone on our waitlist. While we dislike implementing our late cancellation policy, if you do not cancel before 48 business hours, you will be charged 50% of your session rate. For same day cancellations, the late cancellation fee is 100% of your session rate. You will receive multiple appointment reminders via email and text to ensure you do not forget your appointment.

Payment Information

Is pelvic floor therapy worth it?
Is pelvic floor therapy worth it?

Think about it this way: most people with incontinence spend between $50-$200 every month on pads. That adds up to around $2,400 a year! On average, people wait seven years before seeking help from a pelvic floor therapist. That means spending up to $16,800 on pads alone.

Now, let’s compare that to pelvic floor therapy. An average treatment plan costs between $2,000-$3,000. This investment addresses the root cause of incontinence, rather than just covering up the problem with pads. By choosing therapy, you could actually save $13,800 over time! 

Not only is spending on pads costly, but untreated incontinence is also a leading reason for nursing home admissions due to the burden incontinence can have on families. 

When you break it down, the cost of pelvic floor therapy is similar to other long-term investments, like your monthly gym membership, daily coffee, or occasional massages. It’s even less than a few of those spontaneous Target runs! But unlike those, therapy could change your life!

So, ask yourself: what is it really costing you not to address this issue? Investing in pelvic floor therapy could be one of the best choices you make for your health, well-being, and future.

Watch this review about our patients’ life changing results: 

Do you take insurance?
Do you take insurance?

We are an out-of-network/self-pay provider. This means that payment is made at each visit. We offer individualized packages for a discount and payment plans. Additionally, we provide “superbills” that you may send to your insurance for possible reimbursement through your plan’s out-of-network benefits.

By choosing an out-of-network provider like us, you get the advantage of one-on-one, personalized care for a full hour with the same Doctor of Physical Therapy every time. Unlike insurance-based clinics, where you might be rushed with only 30-45 minutes of care with different therapists or be passed off to technicians, our focused approach often leads to faster recovery. 

In the long run, this may save you money compared to high deductibles, copays, and surprise bills you might face in an insurance-based clinic. We’re here to raise the standard of pelvic health care and make sure you get the best, most effective care possible– where your insurance company is NOT the one making the medical decisions for you and your provider! 

Do you take HSA or FSA?
Do you take HSA or FSA?

Yes! We do accept Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) cards as forms of payment. We also take all major credit cards, checks, and/or cash payments. 

Why don’t you take insurance?
Why don’t you take insurance?

We choose to be out-of-network so we can give you the best, most personalized care possible. Insurance often limits how many visits you can have, how often you can come, and even what kind of treatment you can receive. By staying out-of-network, we can focus entirely on you—your specific needs, goals, and preferences—without any restrictions from insurance companies. When you go in-network, your insurance is ultimately dictating your treatment plan, not your therapist.

Our team of Doctors of Physical Therapy builds your treatment plan based on what we find in your exam, the latest research, and what you want to achieve. This means we can help you with goals that insurance does not cover, like getting back to running, CrossFit, or other activities that are important to you. Our priority is your recovery, on your terms.

What is the difference between seeing an out-of-network provider vs. using my insurance?
What is the difference between seeing an out-of-network provider vs. using my insurance?

Do I have to give my credit card information?
Do I have to give my credit card information?

Our Electronic Medical Record and Payment Processing System require a credit card on file. Due to this, we are PCI Certified meaning we are compliant with The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard which is a set of requirements intended to ensure that all companies that process, store, or process credit card information maintain a secure environment. 

What codes can I give my insurance to see if I would be reimbursed?
What codes can I give my insurance to see if I would be reimbursed?

The specific diagnosis and treatment codes are given to you during your evaluation with your Doctor of Physical Therapy. We are unable to provide these codes before your visit because your therapist needs to assess you first to determine which codes apply to your situation. Once you’ve had your evaluation, we’ll provide you with the codes you need to check with your insurance for possible reimbursement.

What questions should I ask when choosing a pelvic floor therapy clinic?
What questions should I ask when choosing a pelvic floor therapy clinic?

With the growing buzz around pelvic floor therapy, it is essential to do your homework when looking for your pelvic floor physical therapist. Here are some key questions to ask when selecting a clinic:

  • Have your Doctors of Physical Therapy been trained in internal examination and treatment of the pelvic floor?
  • Will my Doctor of Physical Therapy utilize internal treatment techniques if necessary for my condition? 
  • If I have bowel symptoms, do your Doctors of Physical Therapy have training in rectal examination?
  • How much one-on-one time will I get with my Doctor of Physical Therapy?
  • Will I see the same Doctor of Physical Therapy on every visit?
  • Will I ever have to work with a technician during my sessions instead of with the Doctor of Physical Therapy?
  • What does a typical treatment plan for my condition look like?
  • Can your Doctors of Physical Therapy help me return to _______?

These questions will help you find a clinic that can provide the level of care and expertise you need for your recovery.

THE WHAT IFs

I started my period—Should I cancel my appointment?
I started my period—Should I cancel my appointment?

There’s no need to cancel your appointment! Having your period won’t impact your treatment plan. We can still do an internal exam if you’re comfortable with it. However, if you prefer not to do internal therapy during your period, that’s perfectly fine. Your therapist will focus on a whole-body approach, addressing areas outside the pelvis that may be affecting your symptoms.

Skipping a week can set you back in your progress, so we encourage you to keep your appointment and let us adjust the session to fit your needs.

I didn’t do my PT homework—Should I cancel my appointment?
I didn’t do my PT homework—Should I cancel my appointment?

No worries! You should still come in for your appointment. Your physical therapist plans each visit to meet you where you are, so you’ll still benefit from the session. Skipping a week can slow down your progress, so it’s best to keep your appointment.

If you’re finding it hard to do your homework, let your therapist know. We’re here to help you problem-solve and adjust your plan so it fits into your life more easily.

What if I do pelvic floor exercises on my own at home?
What if I do pelvic floor exercises on my own at home?

While you might find plenty of pelvic floor exercises online, we don’t recommend following a program without professional guidance. The reason is simple: not all exercises are safe or appropriate for every condition. For example, contrary to popular belief, doing Kegel exercises can actually worsen symptoms if you have an overactive or tense pelvic floor.

A study showed that supervised pelvic floor therapy is far more effective than doing exercises on your own. In fact, patients who received guided therapy were twice as likely to see improvement in their symptoms compared to those who tried it alone! The only way to determine the right approach for your pelvic floor is through an evaluation with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy who has advanced training in this area.

Pelvic Prescription employee group photo plushies