Emergency

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

This service is available to current clients of the UBC Bladder Care Centre

Visit the UBC Bladder Care Centre webpage to learn about referrals and other services at the Centre.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is a field of physiotherapy that concentrates on the internal and external assessments, and treatment of issues that concerns the pelvic floor.

About pelvic floor physiotherapy

Pelvic floor muscles extend from the tailbone to the pubic bone. Additionally, these muscles help support your internal organs, genitalia, as well as, aiding with bladder and bowel function.

Patients are often referred to pelvic floor physiotherapists to treat: 

  • bladder/ bowel incontinence,
  • chronic pelvic pain,
  • constipation,
  • urgency,
  • frequency,
  • painful bladder syndrome,
  • interstitial cystitis,
  • painful intercourse,
  • sexual health issues, and
  • poor bladder/ bowel control.

What to expect during your appointment

Your appointments will last for 45 to 60 minutes. There is no cost for you to receive physiotherapy treatment. You will always meet with the same physiotherapist. You may bring someone to accompany you if you wish. If you need an interpreter please tell the receptionist when you book your appointment.

With your consent, your physiotherapist will ask you about your medical and surgical history. We know sometimes it can be difficult to discuss some past issues.  We will try to help you feel supported, safe and comfortable at every visit. If you don’t feel ready to talk about certain issues we accept this without judgement.

With your consent, your physiotherapist will assess you physically to gain information about your problems.  Assessment could include joints such as your low back, pelvic joints or hip joints. It could include your pelvic floor muscles, the muscles that control urine and bowel movements. Your physio will explain the reasons for this assessment and will answer any questions you have.

Your pelvic floor muscles can be assessed internally, but information about the muscles can be obtained by observing externally. The most accurate information is obtained by doing an internal assessment through the middle opening (vagina) or back opening (anus) in women, or in men, through the back opening (anus). Your pelvic floor muscles control your ability to hold in urine and bowel movements, and also to empty your bladder and bowels completely. If these muscles aren’t working well this can contribute to urinary urgency, frequency and pelvic/bladder area pain. It can also contribute to constipation and incomplete bladder emptying.

Your physiotherapist will explain the process of assessing your pelvic floor muscles internally and the process of assessing externally. If you choose to consent you can change your mind any time. An internal exam is not a requirement. Your physiotherapist can still help you.  We recognize that for some people this type of assessment can trigger unpleasant emotions or memories.  If you don’t want to consent we respect your decision.

Your physiotherapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored for you.  We are keen to teach you about the reasons for your symptoms and how particular pelvic health physiotherapy treatment can be effective for you.  Your pelvic health physiotherapist will work with you to achieve the best results possible.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy at the UBC Bladder Care Centre waitlist

There is an eight to 12-month pelvic floor physiotherapy referral waitlist.

Please wait for the Bladder Care Centre to contact you to book an appointment.

Due to high call volume, please do not call with regards to your referral prior to this time. We cannot book you ahead of other patients if you call us prior to the referral waiting list. We will not return your calls about your waitlist status, or the length of your waittime. Thank you.

Getting ready for your appointment

  • Bladder Care Centre cancellation policy

    Please provide 48 business hours' notice for appointment cancellations. If you feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms on the day of your appointment, call us to cancel and reschedule. 

    No show and late cancellation policy 

    Patients who do not show up or cancel their appointment less than 24 business hours beforehand without a valid reason for cancellation may be charged a fee by the urologists (from their private office). The Bladder Care Centre staff have no control over this fee charge. 

    Important cancellation reminders 

    Your appointment is important to us.  Please review the following notices to ensure your appointment does not get cancelled:  

    • Please arrive on time for your appointment to ensure your test can be completed. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your test may be cancelled, and you will need to reschedule.
    • If you are experiencing symptoms/illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, cough, colds, flu, bladder infection, or fever, please call to reschedule your appointment. If you arrive at the clinic with any of these symptoms, your appointment will be cancelled.
    • If you use a cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair and require assistance with walking or undressing, please bring someone to help you.
    • Physicians may need to reschedule appointments due to sudden schedule changes. If this happens, we will rebook your appointment accordingly. 

  • How long to park if you are driving to your Bladder Care Centre appointment.

    If you are driving to your appointment, make sure to pay for long enough parking for your appointment. We have provided suggested lengths of parking, depending on your appointment type. 

    • Urodynamics: Expect to stay for over 2.5 to 3 hours in the Centre.
    • Bladder botox: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.
    • Cystoscopy: Expect to stay for over 2 to 2.5 hours in in the Centre.
    • Video Urodyamics: Expect to stay 60 to 90 minutes.
    • Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.

  • When to reschedule your Bladder Care Centre appointment

    Call the Bladder Care Centre and reschedule your appointment if you are feeling unwell and have any of the symptoms listed below.  If you arrive at the centre with these symptoms, we will cancel your test(s), and you will be sent home.

    • Fever 
      Cough 
      Runny nose 
      Sore throat 
      Headache 
      Loose bowel movements/diarrhea 
      Vomiting 
      Chills 
      Any flu/cold-like symptoms 
      Bladder infection 

  • What to bring to your Bladder Care Centre appointment

    • Your Care Card or BC Services Card 

    • A list of all medications you are taking.  

    • Antibiotics, if you are taking any. If you take antibiotics due to a heart valve replacement, a recent joint replacement, or you have a heart murmur, you must bring your own antibiotics to your test. Antibiotics are not provided. 

    • Your own incontinence products. We do not carry incontinence products. 

    • If you have your own face masks, we suggest that you wear one during your appointment. Masks will not be provided. 

    • When to bring someone to help you 

    • If you use a cane, crutches, walker or wheelchair and if need help with walking, dressing, undressing or transferring, you must bring someone who can help you.    

    • If you have difficulty with English, bring someone with you to help with translation. This person must have a good understanding of English. The translator is with you during your test. 

  • What to do in the morning of your Bladder Care Centre appointment

    • Drink approximately two to three cups of fluid (water, cranberry juice, milk, herbal tea) 30 to 60 minutes prior to your test so that you arrive at the clinic with a comfortable urge to urinate (empty your bladder). If you have an indwelling Foley or suprapubic catheter, or self-catheterize, you do not need to drink extra water.
    • Avoid drinks with caffeine on the day of your test (e.g. coffee, tea, colas).
    • You may eat and drink before the test.
    • Take a bath or shower the morning of your appointment.
    • You may find it more comfortable if you have a bowel movement before coming to the clinic. This is not essential.
    • Do not empty your bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Speak with the nurse if you feel you must empty your bladder. 

Resources

This service is available at
This service is available at

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy at Bladder Care Centre

1st floor – 2211 Wesbrook Mall at UBC Hospital
Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5
See directions on Google Maps
Fax:  604-822-6984