No. California allows you to begin physical therapy without a physician’s referral.

If you continue care beyond 45 days or 12 visits, whichever comes first, a qualified healthcare provider will need to approve your plan of care. I’ll explain the process and help coordinate this if it becomes necessary.

Your first visit begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, health history, daily activities, and goals.

We’ll then assess relevant areas such as movement, strength, breathing, mobility, and how different parts of your body may be contributing to your symptoms. A pelvic floor assessment may be recommended, but an internal examination is never required and will only be performed with your informed consent.

We’ll finish by discussing what we found and creating a personalized treatment plan together.

Some assessments or treatments may feel unfamiliar, sensitive, or mildly uncomfortable, but you should never feel pressured to push through pain.

I’ll explain each step before we begin, check in throughout the session, and adjust or stop at any time based on your feedback. You remain in control of your care, and your comfort, consent, and sense of safety are always priorities.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily during your assessment and treatment. Leggings, yoga pants, shorts, and a comfortable shirt are all good options.

Depending on what we are assessing, you may be asked whether you are comfortable adjusting or changing clothing. You will always be given privacy, and we can adapt the session based on your comfort.

No. An internal pelvic floor examination is never required.

An internal assessment can sometimes provide useful information about pelvic floor muscle tension, strength, coordination, and sensitivity, but it is only one part of a pelvic health evaluation.

There are many external treatment options, including movement assessment, breathing, exercise, education, abdominal or hip treatment, and hands-on techniques performed outside the pelvis. We can still make meaningful progress if you prefer not to have an internal examination or treatment.

Any internal assessment will only be performed after the purpose and process have been explained and you have provided informed consent. You may pause or stop at any time.

Cultivate Pelvic Health is an out-of-network practice and does not bill insurance directly. Payment is due at the time of your appointment.

After each session, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement varies depending on your individual plan and benefits.

You may wish to contact your insurance company before beginning care to ask about your out-of-network physical therapy benefits, deductible, and reimbursement requirements.

Unfortunately, I am unable to accept private payment from people with Medicare or Medi-Cal for physical therapy services that may otherwise be covered by those programs.

If you have Medicare or Medi-Cal and are looking for pelvic floor physical therapy, I recommend asking your physician for a referral to an appropriate participating provider. I am also happy to share local referral options when possible.

No. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be helpful during pregnancy as well as after birth.

During pregnancy, treatment may support pain management, mobility, bladder or bowel symptoms, pelvic pressure, preparation for labor and birth, and planning for postpartum recovery.

Your treatment will be adapted to your stage of pregnancy, symptoms, comfort, and healthcare provider’s recommendations.

It is not too late.

Pregnancy and birth can affect the pelvic floor, abdominal wall, hips, spine, movement, and nervous system long after the traditional postpartum period has ended. Symptoms can often improve whether you are weeks, months, or many years postpartum.

Your care will be based on what your body needs now rather than how much time has passed since birth.

Previous treatment not helping does not necessarily mean that your symptoms cannot improve.

Pelvic health concerns can have several contributing factors, and every therapist evaluates and treats them somewhat differently. We’ll take time to understand what you have already tried, what helped or did not help, and whether there may be areas that were previously overlooked.

I cannot guarantee a particular outcome, but I will offer an honest assessment and an individualized plan based on your symptoms, history, and goals.

Complete the appointment request form and tell me a little about what you are experiencing and what you would like help with.

After reviewing your information, I’ll contact you with next steps, current availability, and information about scheduling your first appointment.