How I Knew I Needed To See A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Originally published: October 22, 2018 | Updated: October 15, 2026
I was personally terrified to go to my first pelvic floor physical therapy appointment, and I am a physical therapist. I wrote this article to share my experience so others wouldn’t feel the fear I felt. Or if they do feel the fear, to know it’s completely normal, but doesn’t have to stick around.
I Knew Better, and I Still Rationalized It
I’m a physical therapist, so when I started peeing my pants, I knew better. I knew it was called urinary urgency, and that having to do the potty dance so badly that you actually pee on yourself as you’re sitting down on the toilet isn’t how your urinary system is supposed to work.
Yet there’s this thing that happens, even to those who know better. We rationalize it. It was “only that one time,” or “I’m just really stressed right now; when things calm down it’ll go away.”
But it doesn’t, not always, and then we’re left with an even worse case of pelvic floor dysfunction than we had when it first started. If only we knew, or (in my case) were brave enough to ask for help.
The Day I Couldn’t Ignore It Anymore
I wrote a post on Facebook back in June after peeing my pants at my yearly coach conference. It was one of the worst episodes I’ve had, bad enough that I had to wrap my sweatshirt around my waist to make it look like I was just bringing back a super cool ’90s trend, not covering up the wet spot on my shorts.
Thankfully, I was wearing super thin fabric that dried fast, but realistically that isn’t always the case. Also, even when it dries, it’s still pee…on your clothes 😐.
The post came after one of the presenters challenged us coaches to get REALLY vulnerable. They asked, “What is something that you’re ashamed of, terrified of, or feel like no one will relate to? Write about that.”
I’m Not the Typical Face of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
I didn’t think anyone would relate to me. I’m not a mom, haven’t gone through childbirth [of any kind] or ever been pregnant. I’m not the common face of pelvic floor dysfunction.
I am an athlete, though, a high achiever, someone who is constantly on a type A overload and cannot rest or sit still for fear of her life literally falling apart if she doesn’t keep moving.
I’m that girl, the one who pushes emotions down, doesn’t ask for help, and feels like she can be “the strong one,” the “one who can do it all.” And it’s making me pee my pants.
At this point, I knew, I couldn’t continue to live like this [the mentality piece of never slowing down AND the continuing to pee my pants]. It was time to actually take action.
Finding Someone I Could Trust
After that facebook post, a classmate from PT school sent me a facebook message. He happened to live in Washington, too, and had previously worked with a pelvic floor PT at the military hospital who now owned her own business.
He was like, “Lauren, go see Amanda.” And you know, I really just needed that—the strong, honest, ‘take action now, you can’t afford to wait,’ mentality. I needed to borrow someone else’s concern for me, because I didn’t honestly have enough for myself in that moment.
The best part about a recommendation is that you can borrow the trust of someone else to get started. If you trust your friend or colleague like I trusted Brian, and he trusts Amanda, all of a sudden I feel WAY more comfortable ALSO trusting Amanda with such a vulnerable part of my body.
I am so proud of myself for making this appointment with Brian’s co-worker, but the real reason I made the appointment is that I trusted Brian and he trusted Amanda. I needed to borrow someone else’s trust, because right now, mine is lost in a sea of terror.
The Morning of My First Appointment
I have my first women’s health physical therapy appointment today. I’m writing this blog post before work because I avoided it all day yesterday (Sunday). In all honesty, this journey is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
I feel like my vulnerability is causing my fight-or-flight system to go into overdrive. And while the words flow out of my fingers like they’ve been reaching for this space to be told, my insides are stuck between trying to push tears out of my eyeballs and holding my breath.
I filled out the intake paperwork, which included the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire. It was eye-openingly terrifying, because it points out all the places where your body isn’t working the way it should. But goodness, is it complete.
Going in, it felt like I had a tight pelvic floor (certain sexual positions weren’t always comfortable, tightness in my hips, difficulty contracting my Transverse Abdominus—your deep abs), but I thought it was only the front side (urinary).
After filling out the questionnaire, it seems like both sides (bladder AND bowel) might be involved, which is scary.
In the moments when I’m not terrified, my scientific PT brain is so curious to learn, listen, and ask all the questions, not just for myself but for friends who I know are experiencing much worse symptoms than me.
It’s Okay to Be Terrified
In the end, if you’re considering getting help with your pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary urgency, incontinence, pain with intercourse, organ prolapse, bowel prolapse, etc.), I want you to know it’s okay to be terrified.
Find someone you trust to help you, and if you don’t have anyone you trust, ask around until you find someone who trusts someone and go to them.
In the physical therapy world, Herman and Wallace, is the gold standard and certifies therapists as Certified Pelvic Rehab Practitioners (PRCP). You can find certified pelvic floor therapists through their search tool here if you need a place to start.
Anyone with a PRCP after their name, like Dr. Amanda Davis, PT, DPT, PRPC, will be certified (highest level of pelvic floor practitioner).
Talking, asking questions, and researching are all great steps toward making your own appointment.
Here’s some real talk: sometimes the moment before the first step is truly the scariest…but is also the most worthwhile, because without it you don’t get to the step where everything actually changes.
Curious about how the appointment actually went?
Update: Click here to read how my first pelvic floor physical therapy appointment went. (Spoiler: it was brilliantly peaceful and way better than any gyno appointment I’ve ever had!).
PS if you’d like to work with MY personal pelvic floor therapist (who is also now my online biz bestie, Amanda) check her website out here or visit her in person if you’re near Poulsbo, WA.
About the Author
Dr. Lauren Baker holds her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Certification in Manual Therapy from The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She has built a thriving career while navigating the unique challenges as a military spouse, including serving as an adjunct professor in the DPT curriculum, owning multiple successful cash-based mobile pediatric physical therapy practices, and authoring multiple books on baby development and pediatric physical therapy for both parents and healthcare providers. She now focuses on empowering proactive parents through her books, website, and YouTube channel @drlaurenbaker.
