What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Before You Arrive

Wear comfortable, movement-friendly clothing you'd wear to a workout. Shorts or leggings and supportive footwear work great. There is no grooming or prep required before your appointment, and whether you shave or not has absolutely no bearing on your assessment or treatment. Your comfort is always our top priority, so please do what makes you feel best.

When You Get There

You'll check in at the front desk and be brought back to a private treatment room to meet your therapist. From there, the first thing that happens is a conversation. Your therapist will review your intake, ask questions, and actually listen. There is no rushing to the table.

The Evaluation

Your first session is a full hour. After getting to know your history, symptoms, and goals, your therapist will take you through a functional movement assessment that may include things like bending, squatting, lifting, and coughing. We care about what your body can do in real life, not just what it can do lying on a table.

Depending on your symptoms, an internal assessment may be recommended. It is always optional, always explained fully beforehand, and entirely your choice.

What an Internal Exam Actually Involves

We know this is the part most women are nervous about, and that is completely normal. Please know that you are in full control and can ask to stop the exam at any time.

Every exam takes place in a private treatment room and your therapist will use a model pelvis to demonstrate the entire process before performing the actual assessment so you know exactly what to expect.

Before moving on to the internal exam, your therapist will leave the room while you change, and you will be provided with a gown and sheet for modesty and privacy. 

The internal assessment involves using one or two gloved, lubricated fingers to evaluate the muscles, connective tissue, and structures of the pelvic floor. Examinations may be performed vaginally or rectally, depending on your symptoms. Your therapist will narrate everything they are finding as they go. Any discomfort is typically mild and temporary, and is most often described as a feeling of pressure rather than pain. 

When the exam is complete, your therapist will leave the room so that you can get dressed. From there, you will move into the final portion of your session where your therapist will take you through movement and exercises based on what they found.

After the Exam

Your therapist will sit with you and walk you through everything they found and what it means for your care going forward. Depending on time, your therapist will also take you through one or two exercises to work on before your next visit. You will leave with a clear treatment plan built specifically around your goals, your history, and your life.

Scheduling and Next Steps

Before you leave, you’ll head back to the front desk to schedule your follow-up appointments based on what was discussed with your therapist. How many sessions you need depends entirely on your goals, your history, and how your body responds. Your therapist will always clearly communicate the timeline and work directly with you to develop a treatment plan that is realistic and addresses the things you care about most.