Do YOU need Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Do You Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

How to Understand the Free Cozean Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Screening Tool

If you’ve filled out our free Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Tool (or reviewed the images above just now) you might have been surprised by how many boxes you checked “yes” to. Many people think pelvic floor issues only relate to leaking or pregnancy, but this short questionnaire helps uncover much more — from bladder habits and bowel changes to back pain and sexual discomfort.

Here’s a breakdown of what each section means — and why saying “yes” might be your body’s way of asking for help.

(1) Pelvic Pain or Pressure

If you’ve ever felt pain in your pelvis, tailbone, or lower abdomen — or notice pressure or a “falling out” sensation — it can point to muscle tension, organ support issues (like prolapse), or nerve irritation.
➡️ PFPT can help by restoring balance to those muscles, improving blood flow, and teaching you how to support your core and organs without strain.

(2) History of Falls or Tailbone Injuries

Even an old fall on your tailbone can lead to lasting tightness or alignment changes in your pelvic muscles and joints as all the muscles of the pelvic floor have some association to the tailbone. Sometimes, the body compensates for years before symptoms show up and when they do, boy are they a pain in the “butt” (haha)
➡️ PFPT can help release restrictions, improve mobility, and retrain the muscles around your hips and spine to work together again.

(3) Urinary Symptoms

Leaks, urgency, or incomplete emptying aren’t “just part of getting older.” They often mean the pelvic floor muscles aren’t coordinating correctly — they might be too weak, too tight, or simply out of sync with your bladder.
➡️ PFPT can help by retraining your bladder habits, strengthening or relaxing the right muscles, and helping you regain control and confidence.

(4) Bowel Changes

Straining, incomplete emptying, or accidental loss of stool can all signal pelvic floor dysfunction. Your pelvic muscles control bowel movements just like they do urination — and if they aren’t functioning properly, you’ll feel it. Constipation is also a huge trigger for bladder symptoms…they go hand in hand often.
➡️ PFPT can help you retrain your bowels for smoother, pain-free, and more regular movements.

(5) Sexual Pain or Discomfort

Pain with intimacy or tension that worsens after sexual activity can indicate overactive or sensitive pelvic muscles. This is common after childbirth, surgery, trauma, or even chronic stress.
➡️ PFPT can help desensitize painful areas, release muscle tension, and rebuild trust and comfort with your body.

(6) Low Back, Hip, or Sciatic Pain

Your pelvic floor is part of your core — it connects directly with your hips, spine, and diaphragm. When it’s not functioning properly, other areas often compensate, creating chronic back or hip pain. Often the pelvic floor is not even the problem but a solution the body uses to help create stability or compensation across the pelvis. In fact, on study suggested that in ladies with low back pain, 95% of them had signs of pelvic floor dysfunction (research study here).
➡️ PFPT can help by restoring coordination across your whole core system, not just your pelvic floor.

(7) Prolonged Sitting or Standing Makes Things Worse

Discomfort that increases with sitting or standing often means your pelvic floor and postural muscles are working overtime to stabilize you or cannot tolerate pressure from sitting.
➡️ PFPT can help identify movement imbalances, relieve tension, and build endurance for daily activities.

What It Means If You Checked 3 or More Boxes

If you answered “yes” to three or more questions, the screening tool suggests pelvic floor dysfunction is likely — but that’s not bad news. It simply means your body is giving you clues that it’s ready for support.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy looks at how your muscles, posture, breathing, and daily habits all connect. Instead of just treating symptoms, your therapist helps you retrain the whole system — so you can move, sit, lift, laugh, and live without pain or worry.

Take the Next Step

If you found yourself checking a few boxes, even just one or two, that’s your sign to get curious — not concerned. Early intervention can prevent small issues from turning into bigger ones.

📍 At Priority Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping women understand and restore their pelvic health — in a safe, supportive environment where your story matters.

👉 Schedule your pelvic floor assessment or text/call 615-696-9818. Let’s help you feel strong, supported, and back in control.