What is Pelvic Floor Therapy? A Guide for Ovarian Cancer Patients

When facing ovarian cancer, every aspect of your recovery matters. Pelvic floor therapy is an essential component of your healing journey, especially after surgery or a hysterectomy. This specialized care can make a meaningful difference in your quality of life during and after cancer treatment.

What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy is specialized physical therapy focusing on the muscles in your pelvis. While treatment may address a network of up to 26 muscles, the pelvic floor itself is a funnel-shaped structure made of specific muscles: the levator ani and coccygeus muscles, along with the tissue covering them. 

Think of the levator ani as a muscular sheet made of three paired muscles that work together. These muscles support your pelvic organs — your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs — helping them function properly. They play important roles in bladder and bowel control and provide stability for your core. 

Pelvic floor therapy helps restore and strengthen these crucial muscles after ovarian cancer treatment. These muscles serve several vital functions:

• Supporting bladder and bowel control
• Maintaining sexual health and function
• Stabilizing the spine with deep abdominal muscles
• Regulating abdominal pressure
• Supporting lymphatic drainage post-surgery

After cancer treatment or surgery, these muscles may become weak or uncoordinated. Pelvic floor therapy helps restore their function, improving your comfort and confidence in daily activities.

Why Ovarian Cancer Patients Need Pelvic Floor Therapy

Ovarian cancer treatment significantly impacts your body’s core foundation. Following an ovarian cancer hysterectomy or debulking surgery, many women experience unexpected changes that affect their daily lives. These changes often include difficulty with bladder control, pelvic pressure, or challenges with bowel movements.

During surgery, especially for a procedure like a hysterectomy, your medical team may need to remove organs or work within the pelvic region, which can directly disrupt the pelvic floor muscles, causing weakness or tightness. The pelvic floor acts as a crucial support system — like a safety net — holding your bladder, rectum, and uterus in place. 

When organs like the uterus are removed during cancer treatment, this can create a void in the support structure, potentially allowing other organs, such as the bladder or rectum, to shift downward (prolapse). These physical changes can affect how your pelvic floor functions. Pelvic floor therapy helps you adapt to these changes, strengthening and retraining your muscles to provide proper support in their new configuration.

Research shows that with proper therapeutic support, many post-surgical symptoms can improve significantly. Pelvic floor therapy offers comprehensive rehabilitation that goes beyond basic exercises. It’s about restoring strength, function, and ability to this essential muscle group. 

Understanding Your Pelvic Floor Therapy Journey

Starting pelvic floor therapy after ovarian cancer treatment is a significant step in your recovery. Before beginning any physical therapy, it’s essential to consult with your doctor to receive approval. Most patients will need 6 to 8 weeks of recovery time after surgery before they’re ready to start pelvic floor therapy, and your doctor must clear you for this type of exercise. 

Many women find it helpful to know what to expect from their therapy journey once they’ve been approved. Understanding each phase of treatment can help you feel more prepared and confident as you begin this critical aspect of your healing process.

Initial Assessment

Your first pelvic floor therapy session focuses on understanding your unique needs and creating a personalized treatment plan. During this session, you can expect:

• A comprehensive review of your medical history and cancer treatment
• Assessment of your current pelvic floor strength and function
• Discussion of your symptoms and recovery goals
• Development of a customized treatment strategy
• Clear explanation of recommended therapeutic approaches

Treatment Components

Your personalized therapy program will likely include several key elements:

Manual Therapy

• Specialized hands-on techniques to address muscle tension
• Careful management of surgical scar tissue
• Gentle stretching and mobilization exercises
• Targeted pressure point release when appropriate

Therapeutic Exercise

• Specific pelvic floor strengthening routines
• Safe core rehabilitation exercises
• Coordinated breathing techniques
• Progressive movement patterns

Biofeedback Training

• Advanced sensing technology to measure muscle activity
• Visual feedback for proper muscle engagement
• Objective progress monitoring
• Technique refinement guidance

Your Recovery Timeline

While each woman’s recovery journey is unique, most patients begin noticing improvements within 6 to 8 weeks of consistent therapy (about 1 to 2 times per week). Common therapeutic goals include:

• Restored bladder and bowel function
• Decreased pelvic discomfort
• Enhanced body awareness
• Improved physical ability

Timing Your Therapy

The timing of pelvic floor therapy plays a crucial role in your recovery success. Starting therapy before surgery can help you learn proper techniques for post-surgical recovery. 

After surgery, most doctors recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks before beginning pelvic floor therapy, allowing initial healing to take place. Once cleared by your medical team, early therapy can help prevent complications and support optimal healing. Your therapist will adjust exercises based on your healing progress and comfort level.

Guidelines for Optimal Recovery

Successful recovery through pelvic floor therapy relies on several key factors working together. Maintaining consistency with your prescribed exercises forms the foundation of your progress, while carefully following your therapist’s recommendations ensures safe and effective healing. 

Open communication about any concerns or changes you notice helps your therapist adjust your treatment plan as needed. Many patients find that keeping a recovery journal helps them track their progress and stay motivated, even on challenging days. 

Remember that healing happens gradually: your body needs time to adapt to the changes and strengthen properly after cancer treatment.

Selecting Your Therapist

Finding the right pelvic floor therapist is essential for your recovery journey. Start by checking with your insurance provider to determine which therapists are covered under your plan, as insurance coverage often limits your options unless you can pay out-of-pocket. Within your network, look for therapists who have specialized experience in cancer rehabilitation and a deep understanding of post-surgical recovery needs.

Ask your oncology team for recommendations of in-network specialists who have experience working with cancer patients. 

The ideal therapist should communicate clearly, work collaboratively with your medical team, and demonstrate a strong commitment to patient comfort and privacy. Your hospital or cancer center may also have physical therapists on staff who specialize in pelvic floor rehabilitation, which could simplify insurance coverage and coordination of care.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Pelvic floor therapy represents an essential component of your overall cancer recovery. This specialized care can help restore physical function and improve your quality of life after treatment.

As you continue your recovery journey, remember that addressing pelvic floor health is a vital part of comprehensive cancer care. Whether you’re beginning treatment or well into recovery, pelvic floor therapy can support your return to daily activities with greater comfort and confidence.