Seeking care from a pelvic physiotherapist is a novel experience for most people. This page will outline what to expect on your first visit and common questions we receive regarding our care.
Your First Visit
One of our experienced physiotherapists—Robyn, Nicole, Shannon, Jessica, or Eliza—will meet you at your home, online, or in one of our clinics (Elora, Guelph, or Hillsburgh).
At the start of your appointment, your physiotherapist will greet you and answer any questions you may have. This is a great opportunity for us to learn more about you and how we can best support your care.
What to expect
Getting to Know You (20-30min)
You’ll have the chance to share your story and any details you feel are important. If needed, we may ask additional questions to better understand your overall health, including topics related to urinary, bowel, sexual, and mental health. Your comfort is our priority—we respect your autonomy, and you are always welcome to share only what you feel comfortable with. In our first session, we may spend time exploring your history and journey to ensure we identify the most effective next steps in a way that is both integrative and guided by your needs. This can feel very different than more traditional forms of physiotherapy care. However, there are many integrative approaches to improving symptoms that don’t require a movement or hands-on assessment. Throughout the process, we’ll regularly check in to confirm that your expectations are being met. For example, midway through, we’ll ask if shifting focus to the objective is the best course of action moving forward.
Objective Assessment (Second half)
The objective assessment is tailored to your needs and preferences. This may include evaluating:
- Breath patterns
- Range of motion (hips, spine, pelvis)
- Core activation
- Muscle tone and fascial mobility
- Body awareness and nervous system response
For online sessions, we conduct a visual assessment, which still provides valuable insights through observation and discussion.
Pelvic Health Considerations
As pelvic health physiotherapists, we are trained to perform internal examinations (vaginally or rectally) if appropriate. This is always discussed in a shame-free, open conversation, and participation is entirely your choice. See our FAQs for more details. For pediatric pelvic health we do not perform these assessments.
Your Personalized Plan
During and after the assessment, we will guide you through an individualized treatment plan that may include:
- Targeted exercises
- Manual therapy
- At-home management techniques and integrative considerations
- Involvement with multidisciplinary care (e.g., massage, naturopathy, osteopathy etc) as appropriate
Our goal is to help you feel supported and confident as you work toward improved well-being.
FAQs
1. What does an intrapelvic examination involve? How will it help me?
An intrapelvic examination involves assessing the three layers of the pelvic floor muscles using gentle, gloved digital palpation through the vagina and/or rectum. This allows us to evaluate:
- Pelvic floor muscle tension and strength
- Fascial mobility and length
- Signs of vaginal wall softening or pelvic organ prolapse
- How intra-abdominal and pelvic pressures are managed
This assessment provides valuable insight for treating pelvic floor dysfunction, preparing for birth, and retraining the core postpartum.
Before any examination, we will have an open discussion about whether it may be beneficial for you. You will always have the final say, and we prioritize informed consent at every step.
Our approach
- We use a clean technique with a gloved hand and bacteriostatic lubricant.
- We maintain both verbal and non-verbal consent throughout.
- We move slowly and with care, explaining each step so you feel informed and comfortable.
Your comfort, autonomy, and well-being are our top priorities.
2. Can I see you if I do not want an intrapelvic examination or treatment?
Absolutely! We meet every client exactly where they are in their journey. Your comfort and autonomy are our top priorities.
If you choose not to have an intrapelvic examination, your therapist will explain any potential limitations of assessment and treatment in a clear,non-biased, and supportive way, ensuring you have all the information you need to make the best decision for yourself.
Our goal is always to provide a safe, informative, and shame-free experience, no matter what approach feels right for you.
3. I would like to do some birth preparation! At how many weeks should I book with you?
First, congratulations! We’re so excited for you! 🎉
The best time to start birth preparation depends on various factors, including whether you’re experiencing pain, your insurance coverage, and whether this is your first, second, or even tenth birth. We’d love to chat with you to determine the right timing for your unique journey—feel free to reach out at info@thevillagephysio.ca or call Robyn at 226-338-5012 before booking.
If you’re ready to book, we typically recommend scheduling your first assessment between 25–27 weeks (or earlier if you have significant discomfort or symptoms). Follow-ups are important, and we fill up quickly, so we suggest booking in advance. You can always cancel if needed!
Our recommended follow-up schedule:
- 30–31 weeks
- 34–35 weeks
- 36, 37, 38 weeks, and onward (depending on your needs and coverage)
We look forward to supporting you on this incredible journey! 💛
If you just want to book – We usually say book your first assessment around (over 15 weeks ideally unless you are experiencing a lot of discomfort/symptoms) 25-27 weeks. Ensure to book follow ups as we fill fast (it is easier to cancel than to book). I recommend follow ups at 30/31, 34/35, 36, 37, 38 and onward depending on coverage.
4. I don’t have a lot of coverage (or no coverage). You mentioned you operate on a sliding scale. How does that work?
At The Village, we firmly believe that financial barriers should never prevent you from accessing quality pelvic and orthopedic physiotherapy care.
Our sliding scale is tailored to each individual’s needs. If cost is a concern, we encourage you to reach out to Robyn at info@thevillagephysio.com or call 226-338-5012 for an open and honest conversation about how we can make care accessible for you.
Free pelvic health clinics
In September 2023, we launched a free pelvic health clinic for prenatal and postpartum women, designed specifically for those without insurance or financial means to access our services. We have just relaunched our initiative in partnership with P2P and CHC in Guelph for 6 months starting in Feb 2025.
If you’re interested in this service, please visit our booking page for more information. We highly encourage joining the waitlist.
5. How does working with Lucy, Aimee, and Morgan (our physiotherapy assistants) work?
Our physiotherapy assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of our physiotherapists to provide high-quality care, whether in-home or in-clinic. Each assistant has their own area of expertise, and your physiotherapist will discuss how they can support you in reaching your goals.
While our PTAs are working with you, we are always on call to answer any questions you, or your assistant may have during your treatment sessions. We also check in with our assistants before and after each session if needed to determine if anything needs to be adjusted in your care plan.
Why work with a PTA?
Incorporating our assistants into your care allows you to receive detailed, individualized exercise rehabilitation while maximizing your insurance coverage. All PTA services are billed under physiotherapy using your physiotherapist’s license number, making them fully covered by insurance.
How we stay connected in your care
- After your initial assessment, we’ll create a treatment plan and discuss whether working with a PTA is right for you.
- While you’re working with a PTA, your physiotherapist is always on call to answer any questions.
- We check in with our assistants before and after sessions as needed to ensure your care plan stays on track.
Our goal is to provide seamless, expert-guided care to help you feel supported every step of the way!
