YOU are in CONTROL at Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

This blog will address a topic that can be difficult to talk about. The month of April is sexual assault awareness month. This is an important topic, especially considering that SHIFT Physical Therapy and Wellness specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy. Unfortunately, many people have been victims of sexual assault and far too often, it can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. The number of people who are personally affected by sexual assault is 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men, although the statistics vary greatly depending on the source. It is also very likely that numbers of actual victims are under reported due to victims feeling shame, guilt, or embarrassment and being unable to report their story, or feeling that if they report the sexual assault they will not be believed.

Education about sexual assault is an important part of sexual assault awareness month. Sexual assault is not the same as rape. Sexual assault is a term that includes:

• Rape

• Molestation

• Unwanted sexual contact of any other form

• Sexual harassement

• Incest

• Child Sexual Abuse

• Sexual violence, even with an intimate partner

• Human trafficking

• Voyeurism

Due to the high number of people affected by sexual assault, it is extremely important for pelvic floor physical therapy providers to be trained in recognizing signs of trauma and working diligently to avoid further trauma for this population in healthcare. The first rule of pelvic floor physical therapy at Shift is that the patient is in control. If the physical therapist is recommending a pelvic floor examination, it is ALWAYS the patient’s decision about whether or not they consent to the examination. Throughout the entire process, the patient has the right to discontinue any part of the examination at any time without question.

It is also important for pelvic floor physical therapists to have appropriate resources to provide patients who have been a victim of sexual assault. Those resources often include mental health providers and counselors who specialize in working with victims of sexual assault. While seeing a counselor or mental health practitioner is not required, it can enhance the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy by simultaneously working with these providers. It is common for sexual assault victims to experience triggers of their emotional symptoms while addressing physical symptoms. Having a comprehensive team of providers to address any symptoms that the whole person is experiencing is important.

It is common for survivors of sexual assault to feel a disconnect with their own body, or have negative feelings about their body. It is also common to experience pelvic floor dysfunction after sexual assault. Working with a trained pelvic floor physical therapist, you can work together to gain control of your body and to feel empowered. YOU are in control of your body!

Let’s have the difficult conversations. Talking about sexual assault and bringing this topic into the light can help. Your story can help others feel safe to share their story. Know that your story matters, and you can choose to share that story with your pelvic floor physical therapist, or not, the choice is always yours. SHIFT Physical Therapy and Wellness is a safe space to share your story if you choose to do so. We will always promise that YOU are in control during your pelvic floor physical therapy at SHIFT.

Written by: Renee Hancock, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist