Written by Zita Sham, Fairuuz Saleh and Shiv Mohan Banka, Principal Physiotherapists at Phoenix Rehab.Clinically reviewed by Louise Yow, Principal Physiotherapist & Director, AHPC A1300363H.Last reviewed 28 September 2026.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is gaining attention both in clinics and on social media, and for good reason. Many people silently suffer from pelvic floor disorders without knowing that evidence-based, non-surgical treatment options exist. This option includes physiotherapy, which offers a structured path to recovery. If you’re dealing with pelvic pain, incontinence, or muscle dysfunction, this guide could help you.

What Is the Function of the Pelvic Floor

While often overlooked in conversations about health, the pelvic floor plays a vital role in our everyday functioning. Yet, many people don’t fully understand what it does until something goes wrong.

In both men and women, this group of muscles supports critical pelvic organs, maintains continence, and contributes to sexual health and overall stability. And in countries like Singapore, where populations are ageing and lifestyle-related health issues are on the rise, understanding pelvic floor function is becoming increasingly important.

A recent study found that 14.7% of women reported one or more types of pelvic floor disorders. While statistically more common among women, this condition also happens to men, especially those recovering from prostate surgery or dealing with chronic pelvic pain. Both benefit significantly from pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Pelvic Floor Function

The pelvic floor is made up of muscles situated at the bottom of the pelvis. They help hold up key internal organs, including the bladder, bowel, and, in women, the uterus. The pelvic floor muscles control functions like urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity. Just like any other muscles in the body, they need strength, flexibility, and coordination to function well.

A strong and healthy pelvic floor helps with posture, core stability, and even breathing. It also plays a key role in managing intra-abdominal pressure during activities like lifting, coughing, and sneezing.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction happens when the muscles are either too weak, too tight, or don’t work in sync. This can cause problems such as:

Urinary incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pelvic pain
Constipation or straining during bowel movements
Sexual dysfunction
Lower back or tailbone discomfort

Many people with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction are unaware of what’s happening in the pelvic region until symptoms start interfering with daily life.

Cause of Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor problems can develop due to several factors. Common causes include:

Pregnancy and childbirth
Surgery in the pelvic region
Ageing and menopause
Obesity
Chronic constipation
High-impact exercise or heavy lifting
Trauma or injury (e.g. to the tailbone)
Persistent coughing
Poor posture and weak core muscles
Psychological stress or trauma

Men can develop pelvic floor dysfunction after prostate surgery or as a result of ongoing pelvic pain. Women may face issues like organ prolapse or urinary incontinence post-childbirth.

How Do You Know Whether You Need Pelvic Floor Therapy

You may benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy if you experience:

Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or exercise
Difficulty holding in bowel movements
Pelvic pain and discomfort during daily activities
Pain during or after sexual intercourse
A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvic region
Incomplete bladder or bowel emptying
Erectile dysfunction

At Phoenix Rehab, our physiotherapist can help assess your symptoms and create a personalised treatment plan.

Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Work

Pelvic floor therapy is clinically proven to improve muscle function, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life. It’s a key part of pelvic floor rehabilitation and is supported by research worldwide.

How Soon Can You See Results

Results can vary depending on the severity of the pelvic floor issues and how consistent you are with treatment. Many people start noticing improvements in their pelvic floor function within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent pelvic floor physiotherapy, with significant changes appearing after 8 to 12 weeks.

The exact timeframe varies depending on the patient, the severity of the condition, and how consistently they follow the prescribed exercises and treatment plan.

How Physiotherapy Helps (Benefits)

Physiotherapy focuses on both strengthening and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. A holistic approach helps patients understand their bodies and manage their symptoms effectively.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Women

Women often seek pelvic floor physiotherapy for pregnancy-related issues, organ prolapse, or pain after childbirth. Physiotherapists help with pelvic floor muscle retraining, pain relief, and improving muscle tone.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Men

For men, pelvic floor physical therapy can address urinary issues, chronic pelvic pain, and erectile dysfunction. Therapists often focus on improving awareness, control, and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles.

What Happens During Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

An initial assessment typically includes questions about your medical history, bowel and bladder habits, and pelvic symptoms. Depending on comfort and consent, an internal examination may be performed to assess your pelvic floor muscle strength and tension.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Tailored pelvic floor exercises (often called Kegels) help you learn to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles properly. These exercises can be done lying down, sitting, or standing, depending on your ability.

Strengthening the Core

A strong core supports the pelvic floor. Your therapist may include exercises that activate deep abdominal muscles and stabilize the pelvis, improving your overall posture and control.

Managing Incontinence

Pelvic floor rehabilitation for urinary incontinence may involve bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, and education on proper voiding habits.

Addressing Diastasis Recti

For postpartum women, separation of abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) may affect the pelvic floor. Therapy helps improve core alignment and muscle balance.

Risks and Potential Side Effects

With pelvic floor physiotherapy, some people may feel temporary soreness or discomfort after manual therapy or internal assessment. Always communicate openly with your therapist to adjust treatment if needed.

How Long Should You Go for Physical Therapy

Many people benefit from weekly appointments over 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the severity of symptoms. Follow-up assessments track progress and help adjust the treatment plan as needed. Long-term success often depends on at-home exercise consistency and lifestyle changes.

What You Can Do at Home

Alongside professional appointments, home care is vital. Tips include:

Performing prescribed pelvic floor exercises daily
Maintaining good toilet habits (no straining)
Staying active with pelvic-friendly movements
Using digital tools or products like pelvic floor training apps
Staying hydrated and eating a fiber-rich diet
Reducing habits that strain the pelvic floor, such as heavy lifting or prolonged sitting

Conclusion

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a practical and effective treatment option for people facing pelvic floor disorders. A trained therapist can help guide your recovery through a tailored plan and management strategies. If you suspect pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, don’t ignore the symptoms. Speak to a pelvic floor therapist or visit a local physiotherapy clinic in your area, even if it’s just to get informed.

Pelvic floor work sits alongside the rest of the trunk. For a beginner progression once you are cleared to start, see core strengthening exercises.

The tummy gap that often comes with it is covered in diastasis recti.

Where are you with this right now?

1. It is settling on its own

Most injuries and most flare-ups settle over weeks with sensible load management and a return to normal movement. Improvement is judged over a month, not over a day, and good days and bad days inside that are usual. If you are doing more this month than last, and sleeping better, it is behaving the way it should. You do not need us for this, and we would rather say so.

What our patients say

Google reviews from our clinics in Singapore.

       
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   Micah 
 40 days ago
 
 
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Amazing experience with Phoenix Rehab, was assisted by Mavis. She’s very kind and professional and did thorough check on my wrist. I feel very comfortable during the process.

I went in for thermoplastic splint, and everything went smoothly. She was able to address my needs on my left wrist sprain.

They were prompt with appointment process and inquiry. Also the clinic is very close to Tanjong Pagar MRT. I highly recommend!
  
 
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   Chiky Phan 
 44 days ago
 
 
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Fist time doing ultrasound for my tennis elbow!! Let’s hope it gets better the next few weeks!! Thank Mavis Tham!!
  
 
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   XIN WANG 
 61 days ago
 
 
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Great treatment from my therapist. My painful wrist felt a lot of relief after the session. I’m glad I can slowly get back to doing my usual activities without constant pain.
  
 
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   Abby Lee 
 77 days ago
 
 
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Very helpful and friendly !
  
 
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   雪梅Cui 
 115 days ago
 
 
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The masseur is very professional and provides excellent service ，yati is very good!
  
 
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   Tra Nguyen 
 206 days ago
 
 
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I wasn’t able to close my fingers due to an injury. Nurul at Phoenix Rehab has helped me tremendously with my recovery process. I have been able to resume my daily activities and exercises after only a few sessions. Nurul has been very professional and positive throughout the entire process. Thank you so much for your help!
  
 
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   Juzer K 
 244 days ago
 
 
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Huge shoutout to Yuna Zhang from Phoenix Rehab for helping in my recovery from golfer’s elbow 🙌

I walked in with persistent elbow pain that was affecting workouts and everyday tasks, and Yuna immediately made me feel confident I was in the right hands. She took the time to properly assess my condition, explain the root cause, and tailor a treatment plan to my specific needs instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.

What I really appreciated was how personalised every session felt. The exercises she gave me were practical, easy to follow, and actually worked. Within a short time, the pain reduced significantly and my strength and mobility improved much faster than I expected.

On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable and affordable, which made committing to recovery much easier.

Professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring — highly recommend Yuna at Phoenix Rehab if you’re dealing with hand-related sports injuries 💪
  
 
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   Fazal Hanafi Chaudhry 
 328 days ago
 
 
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I enjoy coming to Phoenix rehab as they offer a wide variety of services. I had a finger accident and was working with a very experienced hand therapist. Place is clean and comfortable.  Staff were friendly and appointment was on time
  
 
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   Stella Yam 
 469 days ago
 
 
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Very good
  
 
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   Juliana 
 471 days ago
 
 
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Have both physio n Tcm visits here, highly recommend!
  
 
 
  
 
 
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2. It has stopped improving

You have adapted without noticing. The other side takes the load, you plan movements you used to make without thinking, and you have quietly dropped things you used to do.

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. That is the gap worth measuring, and it is not measured by how you feel on the day.

The Stalled Recovery Review is three appointments over three weeks with the same therapist, because what a joint does under load cannot be read in one visit. The first finds what is limiting it. The next two measure how it responds. $690, nett, no GST, which is three appointments at $230.

3. You have had surgery, or you have a date

Recovery after an operation has a shape, and knowing which stage you are in tells you whether you are on it. See the recovery programs, hand and physiotherapy, or the four stages and what each one works on if you are not sure which applies to you.

All of it runs on the same four stages. The Phoenix Recovery Protocol explains what each stage works on and what you have to meet to move up. No referral needed to start.

Next step

Find out which stage you are in

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. One Assessment and Treatment is a single 45-minute appointment at $230, nett, no GST. Your therapist finds what is actually limiting you, treats it in the same appointment, and you leave with your current stage and a written plan.

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Prefer to phone? Each of our five clinics has its own number on the clinics page. No referral needed to book.