Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

pelvic floor physical therapist, sheron dsouza, holds pelvic model

If you’re experiencing leaking, heaviness, pain, or other pelvic symptoms… You don’t have to “just deal with it.”

Your pelvic floor affects more of your daily life than most people realize. And when something isn't working right, it can feel isolating, frustrating, and honestly exhausting, especially when you've been told it's normal or that you just need to learn to live with it.

Whether your symptoms started recently or have been following you for years, we'll take the time to actually listen, find the root cause, and build a plan around your body and your goals. There are solutions, and we’d love to help.

Here are some of the symptoms pelvic floor therapy can help with:

  • Pelvic pain or pressure

  • Leaking when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or exercise or strong, sudden urges to use the bathroom

  • Pain with sex or intimacy or painful periods

  • Lower back, hip, or tailbone pain

  • Pelvic heaviness or the sensation of something falling out/pelvic organ prolapse

  • Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements, abdominal pain,or bloating

  • Diastasis recti

  • Endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, vaginismus, vulvodynia, PCOS

Your symptoms are not all in your head. They may be common, but common does not mean you have to accept them.

And “Just do Kegels" is not a complete answer. And giving up the activities you love is not the solution. Pelvic floor dysfunction is personal, but you don’t have to face it alone. It can show up in so many ways, from discomfort during daily activities to persistent pain that affects your quality of life. Together, we will identify the root cause and create a plan to provide lasting relief.

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Dr. Sheron Dsouza working with a patient on single leg exercises at a pelvic floor therapy session

What to expect at Purple Physical Therapy

Every session is 60 minutes, one-on-one with Dr. Sheron. You will see the same provider at every visit, which means your treatment plan is always evolving based on what's actually happening with your body, not starting from scratch each time.

Treatment is a blend of hands-on manual therapy, movement, breathwork, and individualized exercise. We look at your whole body, not just the area that hurts, because pelvic floor symptoms rarely have just one source.

We also offer both in-home and in-clinic appointments, so you can choose the setting that feels most comfortable and accessible to you.

If you have questions before booking or want a sense of what treatment might look like for you, we're happy to talk through that when you reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy is specialized care for the group of muscles, connective tissue, and nerves that make up the base of your pelvis. These structures support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs and play a role in everything from core stability and posture to sexual function and bowel and bladder control.

    When the pelvic floor isn't functioning well, it can show up as pain, leaking, urgency, pressure, discomfort with sex, and more. Pelvic floor PT uses hands-on treatment, movement, breathwork, and individualized exercise to address the root cause of those symptoms, not just manage them.

  • Your first session starts with a conversation. Dr. Sheron will take time to hear your full history, understand your symptoms, and learn what you've already tried. From there, she'll do a physical assessment, which may include looking at your posture, movement, and how your body is functioning as a whole.

    An internal pelvic floor exam may be recommended as part of that assessment, but it is never required and will always be explained and discussed with you before anything happens. Your comfort and consent matter at every step. If an internal exam doesn't feel right for you at your first visit, that's okay. We'll work at your pace.

  • Kegels are one small tool in a much larger toolbox. They involve contracting the pelvic floor muscles and can be helpful in certain situations, but for many people, doing more Kegels actually makes symptoms worse, particularly if the pelvic floor is already too tight or overactive.

    Pelvic floor physical therapy looks at the whole picture: your muscle tone, coordination, strength, movement patterns, breathing mechanics, and how everything connects. Treatment is tailored to what your body actually needs, which may include learning to relax the pelvic floor just as much as strengthen it.

  • In most cases, no. Connecticut is a direct access state, which means you can schedule with a physical therapist without a physician referral. You're welcome to reach out and get started without needing to go through your doctor first.

  • We  specialize in treating a range of pelvic conditions, including:

    Pelvic Organ Support Issues:

    • Prolapse

    • Cystocele (bladder prolapse)

    • Rectocele (rectal prolapse into the vagina)

    • Uterine prolapse (uterus drops into the vaginal canal)

    • Vaginal vault prolapse (post-hysterectomy)

    • Rectal prolapse (rectum protruding from the anus)

    Pelvic Pain Conditions:

    • Pelvic Pain

    • Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)

    • Vulvar and/or Vaginal pain (vulvodynia, vaginismus)

    • Vulvar varicosities

    • Menstrual pain

    • Pain with OB-GYN examinations or pain with inserting tampons

    • Rectal pain

    • Pudendal Neuralgia (nerve-related pain)

    • Tailbone pain

    • Low Back or hip pain Related to pelvic floor dysfunction

    Pelvic Floor Coordination Issues:

    • Queefing (vaginal farts)

    • Hypertonic pelvic floor (overactive muscles)

    • Hypotonic pelvic floor (weak or underactive muscles)