Why Rural Communities Need Better Access to Pelvic Floor Therapy

Samantha Wipf
4 days ago
3 min read

When people hear “pelvic floor therapy,” many assume it’s something only needed after pregnancy—or something that’s optional, embarrassing, or only available in bigger cities. But the reality is that pelvic floor dysfunction affects people of all ages and stages of life, and access to care in rural communities is often extremely limited.

For many individuals living in rural areas, symptoms become something they simply “learn to live with.” Leaking with exercise, pain during pregnancy, low back pain, pelvic pressure, constipation, painful intercourse, or lingering postpartum symptoms are often normalized because specialized care feels out of reach.

The truth is: these symptoms are common, but they are not normal—and people in rural communities deserve access to answers and support just as much as those in larger cities.

What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. These muscles also play a major role in:

Core stability
Breathing mechanics
Posture
Continence
Pregnancy and postpartum recovery
Sexual function
Athletic performance

Pelvic floor physical therapy helps assess and treat dysfunction related to these muscles and surrounding systems. Treatment is individualized and may include:

Breathing and core coordination
Strengthening or relaxation techniques
Education on movement patterns and pressure management
Exercise progression
Manual therapy
Lifestyle modifications

Pelvic floor therapy is about improving function and quality of life—not just treating symptoms.

The Challenges Rural Communities Face

Limited Access to Specialists

In many rural areas, there may be few—or no—pelvic floor therapists nearby. Patients often have to drive hours for appointments, take time off work, arrange childcare, or simply go without care altogether.

For postpartum moms, farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, and busy families, that level of travel is often unrealistic.

Symptoms Become “Normalized”

In small communities, people frequently hear:

“That’s just part of getting older.”
“That’s normal after having kids.”
“You just need to deal with it.”

Because conversations around pelvic health are often limited, many individuals don’t realize treatment even exists. Others may delay seeking help because they feel embarrassed or unsure if their symptoms are serious enough.

Lack of Education

Many people are never taught:

How to properly recover postpartum
What healthy bladder habits look like
How breathing affects the core and pelvic floor
How strength training and pelvic health work together
That pelvic floor issues can contribute to hip, back, or SI joint pain

Without education and access to providers who understand these connections, symptoms can continue for years unnecessarily.

Why I Offer Virtual Pelvic Floor Appointments

This is exactly why I’ve made virtual pelvic floor appointments available.

Living in a rural community shouldn’t mean going without specialized care or waiting until symptoms become severe enough to seek help. I understand that for many people, traveling long distances for appointments, arranging childcare, taking time off work, or finding providers with pelvic health training simply isn’t realistic.

Virtual sessions allow people to access guidance, education, movement assessment, exercise progression, and support from home—making pelvic floor care more accessible, convenient, and approachable for those who may not otherwise receive it.

While not every situation can be treated fully virtually, many individuals benefit greatly from:

Education and symptom management strategies
Breathing and core coordination training
Pregnancy and postpartum exercise guidance
Return-to-workout progressions
Movement and lifting modifications
Coaching for bladder, bowel, and pressure management
Support navigating symptoms early before they worsen

My goal is to help bridge the gap in access to pelvic health care for individuals in rural communities and create a space where people feel supported, informed, and empowered in their recovery and health journey—without needing to travel hours to receive care.

The Impact of Better Access

When rural communities have access to pelvic floor therapy, the benefits go far beyond symptom relief.

People gain:

Confidence in movement and exercise
Better recovery after birth or injury
Improved strength and function
Reduced pain
Better understanding of their bodies
The ability to stay active and involved in daily life

Early intervention can also help prevent small issues from becoming larger, more costly problems later.

Creating Better Access Starts With Conversation

One of the biggest barriers to care is simply that people don’t talk about these issues. The more we normalize conversations around pelvic health, the easier it becomes for individuals to seek support without shame or hesitation.

Rural communities deserve access to specialized, evidence-based care close to home. People should not have to choose between driving hours for treatment or continuing to live with symptoms that can often be improved.