Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re navigating pelvic health concerns, we’re so glad you’ve found us. At Gulf Coast Pelvic Health, we provide compassionate, specialized care for individuals across Pensacola and the greater Gulf Coast region.

Below are some of the most common questions we receive. If you have others, or would like more personalized guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

If it’s during business hours, give us a call and let’s talk now. You’ll speak directly with a friendly member of our team who understands pelvic health and is here to help you every step of the way.

  • No. You can start right away. Florida is a direct access state, which allows you to see a physical therapist without a referral. If we ever need to collaborate with your physician or obtain a referral later, we’ll take care of that for you.

  • Your first session is a full hour spent with your provider, no overlapping patients, no rushing. We’ll talk through your story, assess how your body is moving, and begin connecting the dots between your symptoms and what’s causing them.

    If a pelvic floor assessment is appropriate, we’ll explain everything first and get your full consent. There are always other options, you are in control. We will discuss what priorities make sense first. 

    You’ll leave with clarity and understanding what’s going on and what the path forward looks like.

  • Absolutely — and you’re not alone. Most of our patients have been to pelvic PT elsewhere. Our model is intentionally different: full-hour sessions, one-on-one care, and clinicians exclusively trained in advanced pelvic health and hypermobility techniques. We don’t just treat symptoms, we uncover the why behind them for lasting transformation.

  • Every body and every story is different. During your evaluation, we’ll identify what’s driving your symptoms and outline a personalized plan, including how often we’ll meet and what progress should look like.

    Most patients start with weekly visits and taper as they improve.

  • Our standard appointments are 55–60 minutes of uninterrupted, one-on-one care with your pelvic health therapist. We don’t double-book, and you’ll never be handed off to an aide or left doing exercises alone — the entire session is focused on you.

    For patients with more complex needs, or for those traveling from a distance or who are frequently out of town for work, we also offer extended two-hour appointments. These longer sessions allow us to make deeper progress in a single visit, update your home program, and ensure you leave with clarity and momentum between sessions.

    Your plan of care is developed and overseen by a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and sessions are carried out by our pelvic health therapy team, including PTs and PTAs who have advanced training in pelvic health.

  • Yes, we offer virtual appointments.

    Virtual sessions are available for:

    • New patient consults to review a detailed history and determine next steps

    • Education-based visits (exercise progression, lifestyle strategies, nervous system regulation)

    • Follow-ups that don’t require hands-on treatment

    • Patients who travel often, live far away, or need more scheduling flexibility

    Virtual visits are especially helpful for those who need last-minute openings or are frequently in and out of town for work. If a virtual spot opens up on the schedule, we can often get you in quickly.

    We do require patients to come into the clinic for an in-person assessment when appropriate, especially when hands-on testing or internal pelvic floor examination is needed. After that, we can often alternate between in-person and virtual sessions based on what supports your progress and lifestyle.

    If you’re unsure whether your appointment can be virtual, just call us — we’ll guide you to the best option.

  • Most new patient appointments are available within two to three weeks. We do our best to get patients scheduled as soon as possible and to accommodate times that work well with your personal schedule.

    If you have flexibility, we can often get you in sooner. We maintain a cancellation list, so if a spot opens up, we’ll reach out to patients on our waiting list who are available to take that appointment.

  • Just give us a call during business hours and a member of our team will walk you through the process, answer any questions, and help you find a time that works best for your schedule.

    If you reach us after hours, simply submit our appointment request form on the website. We’ll contact you within one business day to follow up and get everything scheduled.

  • Not always. Kegels are the advice everyone hears, but they’re not the right solution for everyone.

    For a lot of people, the pelvic floor isn’t weak — it’s tense, stressed, or not working in sync with the rest of the body. In those cases, more squeezing can actually make things worse.

    Pelvic health isn’t about “just tightening.”

    It’s about learning how to relax, coordinate, and use your pelvic floor when you need it.

    Our job is to figure out what your body needs, not hand you a generic exercise and hope it works.

Does This Sound Like You?

  • Pelvic pain is never “normal,” and you don’t have to learn to live with it.
    Whether you’ve been told you have endometriosis, interstitial cystitis (IC), vulvodynia, vaginismus, pudendal neuralgia, or chronic prostatitis — or you’ve been to multiple doctors and still don’t have answers, or you’ve been dismissed with “everything looks normal” — we take your pain seriously.
    We specialize in getting to the root cause, not just managing symptoms.

  • Postpartum isn’t just six weeks.
    If you’re dealing with leaking, heaviness, prolapse, diastasis, painful intercourse, or just don’t feel like yourself — you’re in the right place.
    We help you rebuild strength, reconnect with your body, and return to the activities you love with confidence.

  • Absolutely. Pelvic floor therapy isn’t only for treating problems, it’s also for prevention and support.
    Many women come proactively to reconnect with their core and pelvic floor, learn safe strategies for returning to exercise, and feel confident in how they’re healing after birth.
    You don’t need to have pain or symptoms to benefit. Postpartum is a major transition, and your body deserves care too.
    Punchline: ““You don’t have to wait until there’s a problem to take care of your body.”

  • Yes. Pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy can be incredibly helpful, even when everything feels fine. Many women come to reduce back, hip, or pelvic discomfort as their body changes, learn how to relax and coordinate the pelvic floor for birth, and set themselves up for a smoother postpartum recovery.
    We do ask that your OB or midwife clears you to participate, just to ensure pelvic floor therapy is appropriate and safe for your pregnancy.
    You don’t have to wait until something hurts. We support you in staying comfortable, confident, and connected to your body throughout pregnancy.

  • You are not alone. These symptoms are common, but they are not something you have to live with.
    If you’re leaking when you laugh or exercise, constantly scanning for the nearest bathroom, feeling like you can’t fully empty, or dealing with constipation and bloating — pelvic floor therapy can help.
    You don’t have to rely on pads, medications, or planning your life around bathroom access.
    We’ll help you understand what’s going on in your body and guide you toward lasting relief, so you can feel confident and in control again.

  • Many people come to us feeling frustrated because they’ve seen different providers but the pain keeps returning or no one can explain why it’s happening. When the pelvic floor isn’t evaluated, an important part of the puzzle can be missed.

    Pelvic floor therapy takes a different approach. We look at how your core, pelvis, hips, and nervous system are working together, and we help you understand what’s driving the pain. When we identify the true root cause, things finally start to change.

    You don’t have to keep guessing — your body is trying to tell you something, and we’re here to listen.

  • Pain with sex is common, but it is never normal or something you should have to push through. Pain, burning, pressure, difficulty with penetration, or pain afterward are all signs that your pelvic floor may be involved. Whether the pain started suddenly, gradually over time, or has always been present, it deserves attention and care.

    At Gulf Coast Pelvic Health, we take time to understand your experience without judgment or awkwardness. We help you learn what’s happening in your body, reduce pain, and rebuild confidence so intimacy can feel safe, comfortable, and enjoyable again.

    You deserve intimacy without pain. Your body is not broken, and there is hope.

  • Urinary leakage after prostate surgery is common, but it should not be permanent. If you’re experiencing leaking with coughing, sneezing, lifting, standing up, or simply throughout the day, pelvic floor therapy can make a meaningful difference. We have a male pelvic health specialist who is trained in post-prostatectomy rehabilitation and understands the unique recovery process men go through.

    You don’t have to live with pads or “just give it time.”

Not sure what your pelvic floor needs? Schedule a 15-minute call and we’ll guide you.

“I have noticed an amazing improvement in my whole well being and mobility. She is very knowledgeable and professional. I consider her to be one of the best physical therapists in the area!”

- D. J.