So you think you might have pelvic floor dysfunction, and you’ve read that physical therapy can help. You’re excited or nervous to get started and have already researched some doctors and therapists, but you find yourself putting off actually contacting anyone. Then, after a few weeks of debating, you abandon the idea completely. Maybe your pelvic floor will just magically fix itself? Unfortunately, that is highly unlikely.

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s possible you’re not getting the care you need because of one or several falsehoods. For you to feel better, you need to separate fact from fiction. Prepare to be surprised and relieved because pelvic floor physical therapy can be affordable, effective, comfortable and 100% right for you.

Myth #1: It Will Be Too Expensive. If you live in the United States, you know that healthcare can be very costly. Unfortunately, many pelvic floor physical therapists are out-of-network providers, meaning they are not in the network or contracted with your insurance company. This is because pelvic floor PT is a speciality within orthopedics, and these specialists work with their patients one-on-one. (Can you imagine how awkward it would be if pelvic floor PTs were juggling two-three patients at a time, which they often do at typical outpatient orthopedic PT? Yeah, that model would be terrible!)

Additionally, insurance companies set their reimbursement rates assuming that physical therapists are seeing several patients simultaneously, and pelvic floor therapists obviously are not. But just because they’re typically out-of-network providers does not mean patients will be going into debt over treatment. If/when you can prove to your insurance company that there are no in-network providers, they may grant you an “in-network exception” or “gap exception.” Basically, they would then treat the out-of-network provider as if they were in network and reimburse you based on the mutually agreed upon amount. So be sure to ask the insurance company about eligibility for these secrets that they hide all too well.

You also may be able to limit costs by working out a plan to see the therapist less frequently. The physical therapist could also have a payment plan that works for you or offer sliding scale options, similar to what is offered at Revitalize Physical Therapy. Never be ashamed to be honest about your financial situation with the physical therapist. They understand! Finally, it is important to bear in mind that, unlike outpatient orthopedic PT for your shoulder or knee, which is often two to three times a week, pelvic floor PT is often just once a week with some homework in between sessions. This means that even if the therapist is outside of the network, patients would only be paying for one session each week.

Myth #2: It Will Be Weird. If you’ve never had pelvic floor physical therapy before, it can sound strange. But remember: the physical therapist is a medical professional, like a doctor, and patients need their services to treat a medical condition and help patients enjoy a better quality of life. The therapist does this work every day to help people eliminate pain and improve their quality of life, and there is nothing weird about it for them. It’s their job, their calling and their passion. They have changed people’s lives with this therapy, and they want to do the same for everyone. Physical therapists work with their patients to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Iatrophobia, a fear of medical care, can be treated with cognitive behavior therapy as well.

Myth #3: It Won’t Work. Physical therapy is a legitimate and effective treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. Don’t assume it won’t work just because there is no cure after one or a few sessions. It will take time. It is a process, not a pill. However, the majority of people do see improvement if they stick with it. On average, most of the patients at Revitalize Physical Therapy start to notice significant improvements within six to eight visits, if not sooner. Average PT appointments are about 60 minutes and the “homework” doesn’t take much time either. It can be accomplished while listening to relaxing music or a podcast and can be easily incorporated into part of a routine done while winding down at the end of the day.

Myth #4: I Don’t Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, and I Can Manage Fine Without It. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a sneaky beast, and it can be hard for the average person to identify it solely based on symptoms that don’t seem all that serious. It is possible to think running to the bathroom more often, constipation or back pain are just a part of getting older. The best guidance? If there are any symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, individuals should see a trusted healthcare provider to see if therapy may be right for them. Many people may not consider getting a physical for their pelvic floor in the same way they would for their heart or blood pressure, but paying attention to that part of the body can be very beneficial for quality of life.

Feeling better about making that call or sending that email now? Look, it’s OK to feel scared as potential patients are embarking on something they’ve never done before. An individual should focus on conquering their anxiety because on the other side of it great healing awaits! They may be faced with numerous challenges in their recovery journey but shouldn’t let their greatest barrier to receiving the care they deserve be themselves!

Dr. Riva Preil is a leading pelvic floor physical therapist. She is the founder and owner of Revitalize Physical Therapy, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic, in Washington Heights, New York. In addition to using therapeutic exercise and manual therapy, Riva is certified in various modalities to help her patients achieve their goals. She received biofeedback certification in treating pelvic floor dysfunction from BCB-PMD. She is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) through the Academy of Lymphatics, allowing her to treat individuals who experience upper and/or lower extremity swelling. Visit revitalizephysicaltherapy.com.