What a Trauma-Informed Pelvic Floor Therapy Session Looks Like (and why it’s so essential)
If you’ve experienced trauma, the idea of pelvic floor therapy might feel overwhelming — or even impossible. You may worry that the process will be too invasive, that you’ll lose control, or that it might bring up memories you’ve worked hard to move past. These fears are completely valid. At Restore Pelvic Rehab, we understand that healing after trauma requires safety, trust, and compassion. That’s why every session is designed to meet you where you are, honor your boundaries, and help you gently reconnect with your body at your own pace. In this post, we’ll walk you through what a trauma-informed pelvic floor therapy session looks like — so you know exactly what to expect and can take your next step toward healing with confidence and calm.
Your Therapist
What makes a pelvic floor therapist trauma-informed? I can tell you its more than a weekend course on the topic. Your therapist needs to uphold certain principles with regards to your care:
Safety: creating an environment where you always feel in control.
Choice: you decide what happens during each session.
Empowerment: you’re an active part of your healing - Your input and preferences matter most.
Trustworthiness: transparency and clear communication from your therapist is essential.
Collaboration: therapy is done with you, never to you. No one is here to fix something, because nothing is broken. Your therapist is there to guide you on the road to healing and addressing any physical symptoms you may have.
What to Expect in Your First Session
The first session is very conversation-based — it’s about getting to know you, your goals, and your comfort level. Your therapist will likely discuss your medical history, symptoms that are bothering you, and the role that pelvic floor therapy can play in addressing these concerns. While trauma may be a large contributor to your present symptoms, you are never required to divulge any details surrounding this. Your therapist will want to make sure they provide a safe space for you and so identifying any verbal or physical triggers to be avoided can be very helpful.
Your therapist will explain every option for physical assessment and make it clear that you are in control of the session and you can say “no” at any time. Consent is not obtained at the start of the visit, but is continuous throughout your time with your therapist - allowing you the options to stop, pause, or redirect at any point.
What a Trauma-Informed Exam or Treatment Looks Like
The most important thing to address first is that internal exams are never required, and there are many external ways to assess and treat the pelvic floor. Focus is always on your comfort, control, and choice. When internal work is appropriate, it’s done gently, with full explanation, and permission and feedback at every step. Therapy is comprehensive and not solely focused at the pelvic floor. It may also include breathing work, gentle movement, and nervous system regulation strategies — all designed to help your body feel safe again.
Oftentimes, you’ll be given suggestions of 1-3 simple things to work on at home, to further support your therapy visits. The goal is to leave the visit with a greater sense of control and understanding over your body, and reassurance that healing doesn’t require pushing through pain or re-living trauma.
How Trauma-Informed Therapy Promotes True Healing
So how does this type of therapy promote healing? There is a strong connection between trauma, the nervous system, and pelvic pain. When someone experiences trauma, their nervous system becomes “upregulated,” which means you spend more time in “fight or flight” mode. This increases muscle tension and activation, including at the pelvic floor. This tension restricts blood flow and oxygen and produces pain. Experiencing pain further revs up the nervous system. If you’re interested in learning more about this connection, we have another blog post HERE. Because of this deep connection, its essential that therapy is provided in a way that makes you feel safe and calm. Healing isn’t linear - there are wins, set backs, good days, and bad days. Overall, healing means less pain, more control, and a better connection to your body.
You Deserve Healing That Feels Safe
Healing is possible - even if you’ve carried pain for years! At Restore, we provide an experience that includes compassion, non-judgement, and safety. If you’re ready to start on your healing journey, consider reaching out to schedule an initial evaluation with our trauma-informed therapist.
I hope this information was helpful and maybe caused you to look at symptoms you have been ignoring. If you need help finding a pelvic floor therapist in Florida, we hope that you will consider us for either in-person or virtual appointments.
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