What to Expect on Your First Appointment
Taking the first step toward prioritising your pelvic health is a great act of self-care. At Flor, we believe your journey deserves an environment of absolute tranquility, respect, and unhurried time.
Here is what you can expect when you step through our doors for your initial consultation:
A Warm, Calm Welcome
We kindly ask you to please arrive a few minutes early to enjoy a complimentary herbal tea or infused water, allowing yourself a moment to simply breathe and transition into a state of relaxation.
An Unhurried Conversation
We do not believe in rushed appointments or generic care. Your initial session is a generous, dedicated block of time solely focused on you. We will begin with a gentle, in-depth conversation. We want to understand not just your symptoms, but your lifestyle, your goals, and how you wish to feel in your body.
Your story is unique, and we are here to listen with absolute discretion and empathy.
A Gentle, Intuitive Assessment
If and when you are completely comfortable, we will move forward with a physical assessment.
Your Comfort is Our Priority: Every step is thoroughly explained, and nothing is ever forced.
A Modest Environment: We maintain the highest standards of modesty and privacy, ensuring you feel safe, secure, and respected throughout.
Holistic Evaluation: We look at the whole body, assessing posture, breathing, and movement alongside specialised pelvic floor evaluation, depending entirely on your comfort level and needs.
What Does a Pelvic Floor Examination Mean?
If you consent to move forward, the physiotherapist will perform a pelvic floor examination. It starts with an external examination and, then, with an internal examination.
We will start checking for skin integrity, signs of scar tissue (from tears or episiotomies), and signs of prolapse. We may ask you to cough or bear down to see how the tissues respond to pressure, and ask you to try a pelvic floor contraction (Kegel) to observe the external movement.
An internal assessment is the most accurate way to evaluate the strength and tone of the pelvic floor muscles. This is entirely optional and only performed with your explicit, ongoing consent. It is quite different from a gynaecological exam as there are no speculums or stirrups used, and it is generally much gentler.
Using a gloved, lubricated finger, the therapist will gently assess the vaginal opening (or rectal opening, depending on your symptoms and anatomy). They will assess:
Muscle Tone: Checking if the muscles are too tight (hypertonic), unable to relax, or experiencing tender "trigger points" that cause pain.
Muscle Strength: Asking you to squeeze against their finger to grade the strength of your contraction.
Endurance and Coordination: Testing how long you can hold a contraction and how quickly your muscles can contract and fully relax.
Organ Support: Feeling for any descent of the bladder, uterus, or bowel (pelvic organ prolapse).
Important Things to Know
You are always in control. You can pause, halt, or decline any part of the examination at any time, for any reason.
It should not be painful. While you might feel pressure or mild discomfort if certain muscles are tight or tender, the examination should never be intensely painful. Your therapist will constantly communicate with you to check your comfort.
Menstruation does not matter. You can absolutely still have a pelvic floor exam if you are on your period. However, if it makes you personally uncomfortable, the exam can easily be rescheduled or shifted to focus entirely on external treatments.
Following the examination, your therapist will explain their findings and collaborate with you to create a personalised treatment plan, which may include targeted exercises, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, or lifestyle adjustments.Your Bespoke Wellness Plan
We conclude your time with us by collaborating on a tailored path forward. You will leave with a clear, gentle understanding of your body and a realistic plan designed to restore your strength and confidence.
A Gentle Note on Attire: Please wear whatever clothing makes you feel most comfortable and at ease. Soft, stretchy layers are ideal, but there is no need to dress in traditional gym wear unless you wish to.
We are truly honoured to guide you back to your most balanced self. If you have any gentle questions prior to your visit, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. You can check our contact details here .