Our Physical Therapy Services

Pregnant woman sitting on bed cradling belly while holding a small brach of leaves.

Pregnancy management

Pelvic floor physical therapy can be helpful during all trimesters of pregnancy because it targets the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that undergo significant change and strain during pregnancy and childbirth. Here at Skylark, our training makes us particularly qualified to guide you in an appropriate strengthening program, manage symptoms of pressure and pain, optimize posture, and prepare you and your pelvic floor for childbirth.

    • Childbirth prep

    • Pregnancy-related pain

    • Back pain

    • Pubic symphysis pain (SPD)

    • Sacroiliac pain

    • Round ligament pain

    • Sciatica

    • Hip/groin pain

Pelvic floor physical therapist checking postpartum client for Diastasis recti in Boston office.

Postpartum recovery

Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in postpartum recovery by helping the body heal from the physical stresses of pregnancy and childbirth. Here at Skylark, we are ready to jump into the trenches with you as you re-establish core and pelvic floor strength, resolve sensations of pressure or pelvic organ prolapse, address urinary incontinence, increase your ability to hold back gas again (when needed), heal painful or sensitive tissues like perineal tears or C-section scars, or manage bowel issues.

    • Vaginal births

    • C-section births

    • Painful sex/return to intimacy

    • Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA)

    • Pelvic organ prolapse

    • Pelvic floor muscle strengthening & wellness

    • Postpartum-related pain

      • Pelvic/groin pain

      • Sacroiliac pain

      • Low back pain

      • Upper/mid back pain

      • Hip pain

      • Sciatica

      • Coccydynia/tailbone pain

    • Bladder issues

      • Urinary incontinence

      • Urinary urgency & frequency

      • Incomplete voiding

    • Bowel issues

      • Constipation

      • Fecal incontinence

      • Gas incontinence

      • Painful evacuation

SKYLARK PELVIC HEALTH

SKYLARK PELVIC HEALTH

Elderly woman holding bladder signifying urinary disfunction.

Urinary issues

Pelvic floor physical therapy addresses urinary dysfunction by targeting the muscles, nerves, and connective tissues involved in bladder control and function. At Skylark, we have extensive knowledge in muscle coordination, strength, and overactivity or tension, which can create common problems like urinary incontinence and urgency. In addition to manual treatment, therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular re-education, our therapy can include bladder retraining which will give you the tools and information to establish a healthy bladder routine.

    • Urinary incontinence

    • Urinary urgency

    • Daytime frequency

    • Nighttime frequency

    • Overactive bladder

    • Prolapse/cystocele/urethrocele

    • Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

    • UTI-like symptoms

Postpartum woman with pelvic pain seeking physical therapy support.

Pelvic pain

Pelvic floor physical therapy helps to treat pelvic pain by addressing the underlying muscular, nerve-related, and postural causes of discomfort in the pelvic region. Pelvic pain is often caused by tight, spasming, or overactive pelvic floor muscles, for which we can apply manual therapies such as trigger point release, myofascial release, and internal massage to reduce muscle tension and pain. Tight and painful muscles in the low back, hips, thighs, and abdomen are also frequent factors which can be addressed manually.

  • Beyond hands-on techniques, Skylark recognizes it’s imperative to address muscle coordination and strength imbalances that can perpetuate pain symptoms. We also specialize in nerve involvement, which can lead to nerve irritation or entrapment and cause sharp, burning, or radiating pain. We understand how significantly pelvic pain can limit your functional and recreational activities, and we feel passionately about helping you to re-establish your quality of life so you can do the things you love.

    • Painful sex

    • Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

    • Chronic pelvic pain

    • Pelvic pressure or heaviness

    • Vaginismus

    • Endometriosis

    • Peri and post menopausal pain and/or atrophy

    • Vulvodynia/vestibulodynia/vestibulitis

    • Levator ani syndrome

    • Proctalgia fugax

    • Coccydynia/tailbone pain

    • Pudendal neuralgia

    • Sacroiliac, low back, and hip pain

Boston woman with bowel dysfunction sitting on toilet in pain while gripping knees.

Bowel issues

Pelvic floor physical therapy can be highly effective in treating bowel dysfunction by addressing the muscles, nerves, and coordination involved in bowel movements. Skylark can help with factors such as anal sphincter control and tone, strength difficulties, relaxation and contraction during defecation, bowel retraining, and healthy bowel habits that support complete and optimal bowel emptying. We know these topics can be intimidating to discuss but rest assured, we’ve heard it all, and we feel passionately about normalizing the bowel issues so many of us experience but simply don’t talk about!

    • Constipation

    • Prolapse/rectocele

    • Fecal urgency

    • Fecal incontinence

    • Painful hemorrhoids

    • Anal fissures

    • Abdominal pain/bloating

    • Dyssynergic defecation

SKYLARK PELVIC HEALTH

SKYLARK PELVIC HEALTH

Post menopause woman in plank position on yoga mat during pelvic floor physical therapy session in Boston.

Peri and post menopause

During and after menopause, the body undergoes hormonal shifts, particularly a decline in estrogen, which can lead to thinning vaginal tissues, decreased muscle tone and elasticity, increased risk of urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pain with sex, bladder urgency and frequency, more frequent UTIs, and constipation or bowel changes. Here at Skylark, we are deeply committed to being your guide as you manage the muscular, hormonal, and structural changes that underlie this challenging time for your body.

    • Painful sex

    • Difficulty achieving orgasm

    • Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)

    • Urinary urgency

    • Daytime urinary frequency

    • Nighttime urinary frequency

    • Frequent UTIs

    • Vaginal atrophy

    • Urinary or fecal incontinence

    • Constipation

Postpartum mother with c-section scar holding baby in Boston.

Pre and post operative

Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in both preoperative and postoperative care for surgeries involving the pelvis, and we feel passionately about optimizing your surgical outcomes. Before surgery, we can identify hidden issues such as tightness, weakness, and poor coordination that can cause a more complicated recovery. After surgery, we can help address scar tissue, pain or sensitivity, strength or coordination issues, and empower you on topics like toileting, positioning, and body mechanics to improve your outcomes.

    • C-section

    • Prolapse repair

    • Hysterectomy

    • Colorectal or urogynecologic

    • Endometriosis excision

    • Prostatectomy

    • Abdominoplasty

Ready to take the next step to address your pelvic health concerns?