When In-Person Pelvic Floor PT Isn’t an Option: Why Telehealth Works (And Where to Start)
Research shows virtual pelvic floor therapy is just as effective as in-person care—and often faster. Here’s what you need to know.
If you’ve been told you need pelvic floor physical therapy, you’ve probably already discovered the problem: there aren’t enough specialists, and the ones who exist have long waitlists.
The shortage is more severe than most people realize. According to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, there are fewer than 1,000 Board-Certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialists (WCS) in the entire United States.
These 950 specialists are attempting to serve a population where up to 50% of women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives. In many areas, especially rural communities, there simply isn’t a Board-Certified specialist within a reasonable distance.
So when your OB/GYN hands you a referral for pelvic floor therapy and tells you it could help with your leakage, pain, or prolapse symptoms, what do you do when there’s a months-long wait—or no provider at all?
This is where the research on telehealth pelvic floor therapy becomes critical.
The Evidence: Telehealth Works
Multiple peer-reviewed studies now demonstrate that telehealth pelvic floor physical therapy is as effective as in-person care for treating the most common pelvic floor conditions.
Research published in leading journals, including Neurourology and Urodynamics and the International Urogynecology Journal, highlights three key findings:
Outcomes are identical: Telehealth shows similar or superior outcomes to in-clinic PT for pelvic floor muscle training, particularly for stress urinary incontinence, core weakness, and prolapse management.
Adherence is higher: Patients attend sessions more consistently because transportation barriers and childcare coordination are removed.
Verbal cueing is highly accurate: Skilled therapists can guide proper pelvic floor engagement, breathing patterns, and functional movement through visual assessment and real-time feedback—without needing internal contact.
One study found that telehealth pelvic floor therapy resulted in a significant reduction in urinary incontinence symptoms—outcomes comparable to in-person treatment, but with significantly shorter wait times.
Why Telehealth Often Works Better
There are several reasons why virtual pelvic floor PT isn’t just “as good as” in-person care—in some cases, it can actually be more effective:
Immediate access means earlier intervention. Pelvic floor dysfunction typically worsens over time without treatment. When you can start therapy within days instead of months, you address the problem before compensatory patterns become entrenched.
You practice in your real environment. Learning to engage your pelvic floor while picking up your toddler in your home, or managing symptoms during your regular workout routine, can translate better than practicing on a sterile clinic table.
Privacy reduces barriers. Many women delay seeking care because of embarrassment. Telehealth from home feels less intimidating, leading to earlier treatment and better long-term results.
What Conditions Can Be Treated Via Telehealth?
Telehealth pelvic floor therapy is effective for the vast majority of pelvic floor conditions:
Urinary or fecal incontinence (stress, urge, or mixed)
Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms (heaviness, pressure)
Pelvic pain (including pain with sex, sitting, or movement)
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Postpartum recovery (regardless of how long ago you gave birth)
Pregnancy-related pelvic or back pain
Tailbone, hip, or groin pain
Note: The conditions that typically require in-person care are those needing internal manual therapy techniques. However, these represent a small percentage of cases, and many patients see significant improvement through movement and breathwork alone.
Expect’s Telehealth Pelvic Floor Therapy: Expert Care Without the Wait
This is why Expect now offers live telehealth pelvic floor physical therapy—because too many people are waiting months for care they need now.
Led by Dr. Nicole Dugan, PT, DPT, WCS
Dr. Dugan is one of the few (~950) U.S. Board-Certified Clinical Specialists in Women’s Health Physical Therapy. She is a nationally recognized expert who teaches therapists nationwide as faculty for the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
As the Lead Pelvic Health Physical Therapist at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, she has helped thousands of patients recover from childbirth, pelvic pain, prolapse, and incontinence.
What you get in your first session:
Personalized pelvic floor and core assessment
Guided movement screening
Cues you can follow at home immediately
Complete treatment plan
Two exercises to start right away
Most patients see noticeable improvement in just 1-3 sessions.
Three Options to Fit Your Needs
1. Private 1:1 Sessions
Completely individualized care with Dr. Dugan
Faster progress with custom treatment plans
Fully private & flexible scheduling
HSA/FSA Eligible
2. Group Sessions
Live small-group care led by Dr. Dugan
Guided exercises with personalized corrections
Supportive community
HSA/FSA Eligible
3. Monthly Unlimited Group
The most cost-effective group recovery option
Unlimited weekly group sessions
One monthly 1:1 check-in included
Priority booking
HSA/FSA Eligible
💰 IMPORTANT: All sessions are HSA/FSA eligible. This means you can use your pre-tax healthcare dollars (Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account) to pay for this expert care.
Ready to book? Visit expect.fit/pelvic-floor-rescue and select “Book Live Therapy” to schedule your session.
Who This Is For
Telehealth pelvic floor therapy works across all life stages:
Postpartum and pregnancy (any stage)
Perimenopause and menopause
Athletes (managing leakage or pain during impact)
Post-surgical recovery (C-section, hysterectomy)
The Bottom Line
The research is clear: telehealth pelvic floor physical therapy delivers clinical outcomes equivalent to in-person care—often with faster improvement because you can start immediately.
If you’ve been told you need pelvic floor PT but face long wait times or logistical barriers, virtual care isn’t a compromise. It is evidence-based treatment that meets you where you are.
You don’t have to live with leakage, pain, or weakness while waiting for an appointment that’s months away. Expert care is available now.
Book your session: Visit expect.fit/pelvic-floor-rescue and click “Book Live Therapy” to get started, or learn more at expect.fit.
Questions about telehealth PT? Email support@expect.fit