Ruther Health and Wellness
Pelvic Floor Therapy in Holland, MI
Expert Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Holland, MI for Lasting Relief and Recovery
Are you dealing with pelvic pain, bladder urgency, or discomfort during intimacy? These symptoms often point to pelvic floor problems. At Ruther Health + Wellness in Holland, Michigan, our pelvic health therapists provide gentle, proven care that finds the root cause and restores your quality of life.
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy. It treats the muscles, nerves, and tissue that support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. When these muscles become too tight, weak, or uncoordinated, they can cause pain, urgency, leaking, or discomfort.
Our therapy focuses on restoring proper muscle coordination, releasing tension, and retraining movement patterns to bring lasting relief.
Signs You May Need Pelvic Floor Therapy
You may benefit from pelvic floor therapy if you have:
Bladder and Bowel Problems
- Urinary urgency or going to the bathroom too often
- Leaking with coughing, sneezing, or exercise
- Trouble starting or stopping urine flow
- Constipation or straining during bowel movements
- Feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder
Pain and Discomfort
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Painful sex
- Tailbone pain
- Lower back pain connected to pelvic issues
- Hip or groin pain
Pregnancy and After Birth
- Pregnancy-related pelvic pain
- Postpartum recovery challenges
- Separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- C-section scar discomfort
- Trouble returning to exercise after giving birth
Other Conditions
- Painful bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis
- Endometriosis-related pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Core weakness or feeling disconnected from your body
Our Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Holland, Michigan
At Ruther Health + Wellness, we treat the whole person, not just isolated symptoms. We understand that pelvic floor problems often connect to breathing patterns, posture, core strength, and overall movement.
Complete Initial Assessment
Your first visit includes a detailed evaluation where we:
- Review your complete medical history and current symptoms
- Check your breathing patterns and how they affect pelvic floor function
- Look at your posture, movement, and core coordination
- Examine muscle tone, tension, and coordination (internal and external assessment when appropriate)
- Find contributing factors like stress, exercise habits, or past injuries
- Create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals
Proven Treatment Methods
Internal Pelvic Floor Release
When appropriate and with your consent, internal work lets us directly address tension and trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles. This hands-on technique helps restore proper muscle length, tone, and function from the inside out.
Manual Therapy
External hands-on techniques to release tension in the hips, lower back, abdomen, and surrounding areas that contribute to pelvic floor problems.
Breathwork and Coordination Training
Proper breathing is essential for pelvic floor health. We teach breathing techniques that help your pelvic floor muscles relax, coordinate, and respond properly during daily activities.
Movement Retraining
We address faulty movement patterns that strain the pelvic floor. This includes posture correction, body mechanics education, and functional movement training.
Gentle Strengthening
When appropriate, we add core and pelvic floor strengthening exercises. Many people think all pelvic floor problems need strengthening, but often the issue is tension and poor coordination, not weakness.
Home Exercise Program
Custom exercises and strategies you can do at home to maintain progress and build long-term strength.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Reduced Pain and Tension: Release tight, overactive muscles causing discomfort and pressure
Improved Bladder Control: Reduce urgency, frequency, and leaking through better coordination
Better Bowel Function: Ease constipation and improve bathroom comfort
Enhanced Intimacy: Reduce pain during sex and improve sexual health
Stronger Core Connection: Restore proper coordination between your core and pelvic floor
Postpartum Recovery: Heal properly after childbirth and return to activity safely
Long-Term Prevention: Learn strategies to maintain pelvic health throughout your life
Whole-Body Wellness: Address connected issues like back pain, hip pain, and posture problems
What to Expect at Your First Visit
1. Detailed Health History
We discuss your symptoms, medical history, pregnancy and birth experiences, surgeries, and how your symptoms affect daily life.
2. Movement and Posture Assessment
We watch how you move, sit, stand, and breathe to find patterns contributing to pelvic floor problems.
3. Physical Examination
With your consent, we perform an external and internal assessment to check muscle tone, coordination, strength, and areas of tension or tenderness.
4. Personalized Treatment Plan
We explain our findings, answer your questions, and create a custom plan with clear goals and expected timeline.
5. Begin Treatment
Most patients begin some treatment during the first visit. This may include manual therapy, breathing exercises, or gentle stretching.
Your Treatment Journey
Every treatment plan is personalized, but most include these phases:
Phase 1: Reduce Pain and Tension (Weeks 1-4)
Focus on releasing tight muscles, reducing pain, and teaching proper breathing patterns. Internal pelvic floor release, manual therapy, and gentle stretching help calm your nervous system and reduce tension.
Phase 2: Restore Coordination (Weeks 4-8)
Retrain proper muscle coordination, improve core and pelvic floor connection, and address movement patterns. You’ll learn how to properly engage and relax your pelvic floor during different activities.
Phase 3: Build Strength and Resilience (Weeks 8-12+)
Gradually increase activity level, strengthen supporting muscles, and prevent future problems. We help you safely return to exercise, sports, intimacy, and all activities you love.
Phase 4: Long-Term Maintenance
Learn strategies to maintain results, recognize early warning signs, and manage symptoms on your own with confidence.
Why Choose Ruther Health + Wellness for Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Specialized Expertise: Our therapists have advanced training in pelvic health, women’s health, and internal pelvic floor treatment
Whole-Person Approach: We understand how your pelvic floor connects to breathing, posture, core function, and overall wellness
One-on-One Care: Every session is private, personalized, and focused entirely on you
Evidence-Based Treatment: We use the latest research-backed techniques proven to get results
Comfortable Environment: Quiet, private treatment rooms where you feel safe and supported
Lasting Results: We don’t just treat symptoms—we address root causes for long-term relief
Convenient Location: Serving Holland, Zeeland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, and West Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Floor Therapy in Holland, MI
Where can I find pelvic floor therapy near me in Holland?
Ruther Health + Wellness is located at 454 Baypark Dr Suite 10 in downtown Holland, Michigan. We serve patients from Holland, Zeeland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, and surrounding West Michigan communities. We’re easy to reach from M-40, US-31, and I-196.
Do I need a referral for pelvic floor therapy in Michigan?
No. Michigan has direct access to physical therapy, meaning you can schedule an appointment without seeing a doctor first. However, your insurance plan may require a referral for coverage. Call your insurance provider or our office at 616-537-6613 to confirm your specific requirements.
Is pelvic floor therapy painful or uncomfortable?
Pelvic floor therapy should not be painful. You may feel mild discomfort during certain techniques or when working on tight muscles, but treatment is always done within your comfort level. Many patients actually feel relief during and after their first session. We work at your pace and adjust based on your feedback.
How long does pelvic floor physical therapy take to work?
Treatment length varies based on your condition. Simple issues like mild postpartum recovery may improve in 6 to 8 weeks. Chronic pelvic pain or complex conditions typically need 10 to 16 weeks. Most patients attend 1 to 2 sessions per week at first. Your therapist will give you an estimated timeline during your first visit.
Can pelvic floor therapy help with bladder leaking after pregnancy?
Yes. Pelvic floor therapy is highly effective for postpartum bladder leaking. We address the muscle coordination, strength, and movement patterns causing leakage. Most patients see significant improvement within 8 to 12 weeks. This is one of the most common and successfully treated conditions.
What should I wear to pelvic floor therapy?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Athletic wear, yoga pants, or shorts work well. You’ll be given a drape or gown for the assessment. Avoid tight jeans or restrictive clothing that makes it hard to move freely.
What Our Holland, MI Patients Are Saying
“Kelly is a phenomenal physical therapist. I have referred so many friends and family to her and they love her as well! Her knowledge of women’s health, the pelvic floor and how everything in the body is connected is invaluable. She’s helped me with IC, plantar fasciitis, back pain, foot pain, knee pain and has given lots of advice on exactly what to do (and what not to do!) during my workouts. I love that she explains the why and how during each visit so it makes sense. She’s easy to talk to and I always look forward to my visits. She treats the whole person, provides quality care and is invested in her patients! Definitely go see her!” — Jennifer K.
“Kelly has been incredibly helpful with postpartum recovery. I wish I had started seeing her for pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy instead of a chiropractor! Her approach puts you in control of your recovery and healing and gives long-lasting results. Not only is my back pain gone, but other pains I didn’t realize were associated are also gone and she did a great job of explaining how all of it is connected.” — Becca A.
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
You don’t have to live with pelvic pain, bladder urgency, or discomfort. At Ruther Health + Wellness in Holland, Michigan, we provide expert pelvic floor therapy that addresses root causes, restores function, and helps you feel like yourself again.
Take the first step toward relief:
Call: +1-616-537-6613
Email: hello@rutherhealth.com
Visit: 454 Baypark Dr Suite 10, Holland, MI 49424
Serving: Holland, Zeeland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, and West Michigan
Ruther Health + Wellness is your trusted pelvic floor therapy provider in Holland, Michigan. Led by Kelly Ruther, our specialized therapists are committed to helping you achieve lasting relief, improved function, and confident recovery through personalized, evidence-based care.
