Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy vs. Pelvic Floor Rehab Therapy: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been searching for help with pelvic pain in pregnancy, leaking when you sneeze, or wondering do I need pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy? — you may have noticed that some providers call it Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and others (including us at Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness) call it Pelvic Floor Rehab Therapy. Close, but not quite the same name. So what’s the difference, and does it actually matter?

Let’s break it down.

Spoiler: The Treatment Is the Same

We’re just going to lead with this because it’s the most important thing. Whether you’re seeing a physical therapist or a chiropractor trained in pelvic floor work, the actual hands-on treatment is the same. The internal and external assessment, the manual therapy, the therapeutic exercises, the breathing work, the neuromuscular re-education — all of it. Same thing.

So why do we call ours Pelvic Floor Rehab Therapy? Because we want to be upfront with you: we are chiropractors, not physical therapists. The slightly different name is just our way of being transparent about that — not a signal that you’re getting something lesser. You’re not.

Can a Chiropractor Actually Do This?

In Oregon, yes — and here’s why that matters. In most states across the country, internal pelvic floor assessment and treatment is not within a chiropractor’s scope of practice. Oregon is one of the few states where it is. Because of that, chiropractors who pursue this specialty train directly with physical therapists — the providers who pioneered this work and who perform it in most other states.

That means the providers who trained the team at Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness are pelvic floor physical therapists. We learned the same techniques, from the same experts, using the same clinical approach. We just happen to have “DC” after our names instead of “PT.”

Something Important to Know — Regardless of Who You See

In both chiropractic and physical therapy, there is currently no mandated certification for pelvic floor therapy. That means any provider can legally take a single one-day workshop and begin advertising themselves as a pelvic floor specialist — in either profession.

We genuinely hope that changes. But in the meantime, no matter who you see — PT, chiropractor, or otherwise — we encourage you to ask:

• How many hours of pelvic floor training have you completed?
• Is pelvic floor therapy a core focus of your practice, or something you do occasionally?
• How many pelvic floor patients do you see each week?

The letters after someone’s name matter less than the depth and consistency of their training. At Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness, we’ve invested significantly in ours — and we want you to find a provider who has too, whether that’s us or someone else.

What We Specialize In (And What We Refer Out)

Not every pelvic floor clinic is the same, and honestly, that’s a good thing. Different offices develop expertise in different areas. Some specialize in male pelvic floor issues. Others focus on post-menopausal pelvic health. Some handle highly complex cases like pessary fitting or intricate neuromuscular conditions.

Our sweet spot at Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness is what we think of as foundation pelvic floor work

• Pelvic pain — including pelvic pain in pregnancy
• Urinary incontinence — leaking when you sneeze, jump, laugh, or just can’t make it to the bathroom in time
• Pelvic organ prolapse prevention and treatment

For the perinatal population — pregnant and postpartum mommas — these three things cover about 90% of what people actually need help with. This is where we live. This is what we do every single day.

For more complex or specialized cases — vulvodynia, pessary fitting, complicated pelvic pain — we refer out to clinics that focus specifically on those things. Getting you the right care is always the goal, even if that means somewhere else.

Pelvic Floor Therapy in Pregnancy

Do I need pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy? At Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness, our answer is an enthusiastic yes — for everyone, not just those already experiencing symptoms. In fact, in most European countries, pelvic floor therapy is a standard part of maternal healthcare offered to all pregnant women, regardless of whether they have complaints. We wholeheartedly believe the United States should adopt the same approach.

Here’s why: Pelvic Floor Therapy in pregnancy isn’t just about managing symptoms. It’s about proactive preparation. When you begin pelvic floor work during pregnancy, you can:

• Reduce your risk of tearing during birth through targeted release and lengthening work that prepares your pelvic floor to open effectively
• Shorten pushing time by learning how to work with your body rather than against it during labor
• Reduce your risk of prolapse and incontinence after giving birth — two of the most common postpartum complaints that are far easier to prevent than treat
• Address pelvic pain in pregnancy — including symphysis pubis dysfunction, SI joint pain, and pelvic girdle pain that makes simple tasks like rolling over in bed or walking to the car uncomfortable
• Treat leaking or urinary urgency during pregnancy — common, but not something you simply have to accept
• Build a core foundation that supports your changing body as your pregnancy progresses

Perhaps most importantly, doing this work in pregnancy makes your postpartum recovery significantly easier. Showing up to delivery with a well-prepared, responsive pelvic floor means your body has a stronger starting point for healing. You don’t have to wait until something feels wrong to begin — and we’d encourage you not to.

Pelvic Floor Therapy in Postpartum

The postpartum period is when most people first pay attention to their pelvic floor — often because something has shifted in a way that doesn’t feel quite right. Pelvic Floor Therapy in Postpartum at Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness addresses:

• Diastasis recti rehabilitation — healing the abdominal separation that occurs during pregnancy and rebuilding the connection between your deep core and pelvic floor
• Core recovery after pregnancy — returning to movement, exercise, lifting your baby, and daily life in a way that genuinely supports your body
• Urinary incontinence — leaking with sneezing, jumping, laughing, or urgent trips to the bathroom that don’t always make it in time
• Pelvic organ prolapse prevention — identifying early signs of prolapse and learning to manage intra-abdominal pressure before symptoms progress
• Pain with sex — a common but rarely discussed postpartum complaint that pelvic floor therapy can meaningfully address
• Birth recovery — scar tissue from perineal tearing or C-sections, changes in sensation, and the full-body recalibration of early postpartum

At Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness, we believe the postpartum mother is deeply underserved by our healthcare system. You deserve focused, skilled care — not just a six-week clearance and a “you’re good to go.” You just grew and birthed a human being. Your recovery deserves real attention.

We recommend that all postpartum patients receive at least a pelvic floor assessment, regardless of delivery method. That includes C-section mamas, and yes, even those who feel their birth went smoothly.

Why Our Sessions Look Different — and Why We Designed Them That Way

A traditional pelvic floor physical therapy appointment is typically one hour and focused entirely on pelvic floor work. For some conditions and some patients, that’s exactly what’s needed, and we’ll be the first to say so.

Our sessions at Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness are built differently. We spend 15–30 minutes on pelvic floor therapy, and use the remainder of the appointment doing what we do as chiropractors — adjustments, soft tissue work, and corrective exercises to address whatever else needs attention. Neck pain. Headaches. Rib tightness. That hip that’s been bothering you since your second trimester.

We designed this model with busy mothers in mind — because you may not have time for multiple specialist appointments every week, but that shouldn’t mean choosing between your pelvic floor and your neck. At Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness, you can address both in a single visit, with providers who understand how all of it connects.

How Insurance Works for Pelvic Floor Therapy (The Honest Version)

Insurance billing for pelvic floor therapy can be confusing, so here’s a straightforward explanation of how it works at Jewell Chiropractic and Wellness.

The billing codes used for pelvic floor therapy — muscle work, therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education — are the same codes used across all provider types. Acupuncturists, MDs, PTs, and chiropractors all use the same set of codes for this type of treatment. When insurance companies see these codes on a claim, many of them automatically classify the visit as a physical therapy visit, regardless of which type of provider actually did the work.

In our case, this means a visit with us may be billed as both a chiropractic session and a physical therapy session — and unfortunately, both may count against your annual visit limits at the same time. It’s not something we love, and it’s not something we chose. It’s just the way insurance companies have structured things, and it often works against patients who need comprehensive care.

We always do our best to help you understand your benefits before you begin care so nothing comes as a surprise. And if you’re unsure how your plan works, reach out — we’re happy to help you figure it out.

The Bottom Line

Whether it’s called Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy or Pelvic Floor Rehab Therapy, the assessment, the treatment, and the goal are the same: to help your body function the way it’s supposed to — during pregnancy, after birth, and beyond.

The name difference is just about who’s in the room with you. What matters is that they’re trained, that they specialize in this work, and that they actually listen to you.

If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or dealing with pelvic pain, leaking, or prolapse — you don’t have to just manage it. There’s real help available. We’d love to be part of your village.

Book a consultation today and let’s talk about what your body needs.

Join Our Online Community: The Unstoppable Mom

We’re so excited to invite you into something special — our Unstoppable Mom online community. This is a space created just for you… to feel supported, informed, and connected through every stage of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.

As a member, you’ll enjoy:

• Real conversations around pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting
• Expert interviews and education from trusted providers
• A supportive community of moms navigating the same season
• Ongoing resources to help you feel strong, confident, and empowered

This is more than just a group — it’s your village.

It’s free and easy to join — Click here to become part of The Unstoppable Mom community today!