Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Oakland, CA
Effective pelvic PT. Work with a pelvic specialist. Practice a somatic approach to movement.
Pelvic symptoms are common and treatable.
We offer pelvic floor PT services in Oakland, CA for all self-identified genders, and anyone may benefit from learning how to relax and coordinate their pelvic floor with movement.
Pelvic pain treatment and relief.
Do you experience hip and pelvic pain?
Do you have lower back and groin pain or chronic SI joint pain?
Do you get pelvic muscle spasms?
Are you afraid you are causing damage when you experience pelvic pain?
Are you afraid the pain will get worse?
Have you been told surgery and medication are the only options?
What A Pelvic Floor PT Care Plan Can Be Like With Bodyful:
If your therapist determines you are appropriate for pelvic floor physical therapy, you can expect meaningful results within six visits over a three-month timeline.
If you need additional support, you and your therapist will know within the first four weeks of working together.
We are trained to guide you toward appropriate care outside of PT when necessary to improve outcomes.
Unlike surgery or medication, there are no adverse risks with physical therapy. The doctors of physical therapy at Bodyful PT are licensed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. This means we meet national standards to:
triage your complaints
screen for symptoms not primarily muscular or functional
refer you to your medical doctor when needed
determine your prognosis and plan of care
Your physical therapist is also happy to help you find a trusted psychotherapist.
What Are The Options For Long Term Pelvic PT Care?
If you need ongoing support beyond three months, we may offer hands-on modalities at a reduced fee.
Virtual pelvic floor therapy is always an option, too.
You and your therapist can discuss flexible, long-term care options that best support your goals.
How Prenatal Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy May Prepare Pregnant Bodies For Labor and Delivery
Is this your first pregnancy and are you afraid to give birth?
During pregnancy, pelvic floor muscle training can prepare your body for the stretch and pressure of active labor and pushing.
Diaphragmatic breathing resources can support:
your nervous system during labor
early postpartum recovery
Prenatal pelvic floor physical therapy can also help decrease risk for:
urinary incontinence
fecal incontinence
pelvic organ prolapse
pain with sex
We may use biofeedback to guide you in labor positions, breathing strategies, relaxation, and pelvic floor stretching.
If you are pregnant, we can practice all of the above together, within 2-4 visits before delivery.
Questions? Call us!
Postpartum Physical Therapy
Did you have a birth injuries?
Are you experiencing prolapse, leaking urine, lower back pain, tailbone pain, joint pain, knee pain, or pubic symphysis pain?
Options Weeks or Years After Delivery
We offer postpartum PT to reduce pelvic symptoms, strengthen postural muscles, mobilize scars, and rehabilitate the pelvic floor—even if you did not have a vaginal birth.
We typically recommend six visits within three months for postpartum rehabilitation.
We can help you integrate pelvic health into your busy life.
Bladder Symptoms
Have you been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis?
Do you want to know the causes of your bladder spasms?
Are you afraid or anxious to leave the house if there will not be easy access to a bathroom?
Do you struggle with bladder control issues?
Do you leak urine while jumping or running?
Do you leak urine when you are running to the bathroom?
How many visits?
If you are appropriate for pelvic PT, we may suggest a three-month commitment with capacity for daily home practice.
Frequency of visits varies per person’s needs.
Long Term Pelvic PT for Bladder Symptoms
If symptoms persist after three months, we may offer reduced rate visits for therapeutic exercises and manual therapy, scheduled every other week, or monthly, until you are content with your bladder function.
Pelvic floor therapy for painful sex
We offer pelvic floor PT and coaching for vaginismus, “hitting a wall” during sex, fear of penetration, or difficulty tolerating tampons or pelvic exams.
Virtual Pelvic Floor Therapy available.
We screen for dermatological, hormonal, inflammatory, and psychological contributors, and we can provide outside referrals to complement your treatment.
Expect a commitment of at least six visits within three months.
Your pelvic PT may also discuss options for virtual coaching, manual therapy, biofeedback, pelvic floor relaxation, and hip stretches.
If you are not ready for internal pelvic therapy, consider starting with somatic movement play and embodied touch wellness services.
Bowel Symptoms
Do you experience constipation or abdominal bloating?
Are bowel movements painful?
How We May Work Together
Breathing
Posture work
Core muscle training with pelvic floor coordination
Biofeedback as needed
How Many Visits?
Significant progress often occurs within six visits over three months, especially with commitment to your home practice.
Post-Surgical Pelvic Floor PT
Have you had abdominal or pelvic surgeries?
We provide trauma-sensitive, psychologically informed manual therapy to mobilize scars, improve function, and decrease pain.
Expect up to six visits within three months to experience significant improvement, supported by a home practice program.
Pelvic pain Treatment and Somatic Support
Breathing
Posture training
Hip strengthening
Virtual Pelvic Floor Therapy available.
Somatically supported therapeutic exercise program for established clients at a reduced rate.
Pelvic PT for transgender care
We offer skillful, competent, compassionate pelvic PT for transgender and gender-expansive clients.
Virtual Pelvic Floor Therapy available
We provide scar mobilization support, pain management resources, and coordination with your healthcare team for integrative, evidence-based care.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We are a cash-based physical therapy practice and we are out-of-network with all insurance providers. We can provide a monthly superbill for you to submit to insurance for reimbursement. We recommend you contact your insurance for details on your individual plan and coverage. We accept HSA and FSA. Unfortunately, due to federal law, we are unable to work with patients that use Medicare or Medi-Cal/Medicaid. Ask us about our wellness services.
-
No. You do not need a prescription for an physical therapy evaluation in the state of California. You can be seen up to 12 visits or 45 days (whichever comes first) and then you will need a signed plan of care by an MD or DO.
-
Call the toll free number for customer service on your insurance card. Select the option that will allow you to speak with a customer service representative, not an automated system. Let the customer service provider know that you are seeing an out-of-network (OON) or non-preferred provider.
Ask the customer service representative to quote your OUTPATIENT, OUT-OF-NETWORK Physical Therapy benefits.
CPT codes: 97163, 97112, 97140, 97530, 97110
-
It depends. Every brain and body responds differently to therapy and has a different story.
Expect at least 6 visits within a three month period with your pelvic therapist.
Part of our job is to offer coaching, medical triage, and to assess if you need additional support outside of pelvic PT. Consider us part of your health care team!
-
Appointment cancellations require 48 hours notice. Because a session is reserved for you, you will be charged a 50% fee for your scheduled appointment if you do not cancel in the 48 hour required window. This fee is waived if you can reschedule within two weeks of your original appointment (subject to PT availability).
-
Your pelvic floor is a dynamic, spiraling, and fluid support system from muscles, ligaments, fascia, and fat, moving like a bowel at your pelvic space. Your pelvis is your core. Your pelvic floor is part of your urinary, bowel, and sexuality systems. These systems also contribute to the support of your hips, sacrum, and low back.
-
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialization of orthopedic physical therapy. The therapists at Bodyful are pelvic floor therapy experts and Dr. Maryssa is a Board-certified pelvic specialist. Both therapists have thousands of hours of clinical practice in pelvic health, including internal pelvic floor therapy modalities. Your embodied consent is a prerequisite to internal pelvic floor care. Your pelvic PT will also tell you if internal pelvic floor therapy is appropriate for you.
-
Please see our blog about internal pelvic floor therapy! Pelvic floor internal therapy does not pathologize, or determine what is "wrong" with you. Many clients are surprised by how empowering, demystifying, and comfortable our internal pelvic floor work services are. We attune to your signs of perceived safety. Our experts in pelvic floor PT can gently offer touch with slow, lubricated, penetration using a gloved finger. Depending on your symptoms, internal pelvic work can be vaginal or rectal. The intention of this care is to guide your pelvic floor awareness and to integrate pelvic consciousness with your core and breath support.
-
Please see our blogs about Bodyful's somatic pelvic physical therapy! A somatic approach means we use skillful and compassionate inquiry to hold space for your connection to your body awareness. If you have experienced significant trauma, this awareness must be cared for gently, slowly, with patience, tenderness, and with a present witness. Somatic approaches are a container for wholly being present with yourself. The therapeutic alliance with your pelvic PT can be a container to support your pelvic health.
-
—Prolapse
—Incontinence (fecal or urinary)
—Pelvic pain
—Pain associated with the low back, pelvic girdle, sacroiliac joint (SIJ), public symphysis dysfunction, or tailbone pain
—Pregnancy-related aches and pains
—Preparation for birth and recovery after birth
—Pain with penetrative sex
—Leaking during exercise
—Pelvic heaviness
—Pain associated with endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, cramping during menstruation
—Diastasis recti physical therapy
—Gut and bowel transit issues and pain
—Penis-bodied pelvic health concerns such as testicular pain, prostatitis, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation or pain with ejaculation
-
Absolutely. We are experts in treating the whole body as a complete movement system. Movement is interconnected with other physiological systems and embryological relationships. The pelvis and core support are central -- center of mass, home to visceral organs, rich in potent nervous system activity, etc. Your foot pain may be caused by your pelvic dysfunction and your jaw pain may be related to your pelvic floor tension patterns.
-
We are located at 2929 Summit Street, Suite 208 in Oakland. There is 2 hour metered street parking available. Unfortunately, there are no designated parking spots for bodies with disabilities in the front of the building.
-
This is an option if it is appropriate for your care. Additional fee applies based on mileage and time. Reach out for details.
Keep exploring…
Get Started Today.