Below are the most common questions asked, however we are happy to hop on a call to discuss our approach further!
COVID-19 Safety Measures
In accordance with the CDC and APTA’s recommendations, below is what you can expect when you attend an appointment with us:
- Prior to your appointment, please complete the brief screening questionnaire online (it will be sent to you for each appointment).
- Upon arriving at the parking lot, please text us (207-358-8161) that you are here and we will reply and tell you it’s time to come in.
- Please wear a cloth face covering to the appointment. I will take your temperature upon entering with a no-contact forehead thermometer and then ask you to wash your hands.
- We will have our visit as usual and ask that you wash your hands again before leaving.
Precautions I will be taking:
- We will also be wearing a mask and likely wearing scrubs (We will be changing clothes at work and before we leave work).
- We will wear gloves if we need to put my hands on you during the appointment.
- All laundry will be changed between patients and equipment will be wiped down and disinfected per usual.
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility.
- There will be a 15min window between appointments for the change over so it does not cut into your appointment time.
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialty that focuses on the dysfunctions in the pelvic region of the body. This includes conditions of the abdomen, back, pelvis, hips and thighs (think “bike short region”). However, our body is complex and we take a whole woman approach and perform a full body assessment of posture, movement, strength and flexibility.
Do I need a referral?
Maine is a direct access state, which means you are able to have physical therapy treatment without a prescription or referral from a physician.
Please note however, if you are seeking reimbursement your health insurance provider may require a prescription.
Do You Take My Insurance?
We do not accept insurance so we can concentrate on doing what we do best, providing personalized, compassionate care for women. We are considered an out-of-network provider.
This means you pay Koru Pelvic Health & Perimenopause Coaching directly for service and we will give you an itemized receipt to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
As an out-of-network provider, we do not need to inflate our costs to cover the reimbursement of PT services; meaning a lower rate for you. This model allows for longer treatment sessions, with less frequency, meaning getting your goals met with less visits and less cost to you.
What can I expect at the evaluation?
The first appointment consists of a lot of talking to get a clear picture of your symptoms, your past medical history and daily habits that have to do with your pelvic floor. Most importantly, we discuss your goals and what you want to be able to do and why you want to do them.
The interview portion is then followed by us describing exactly what the pelvic floor is, how it works and why you may be experiencing some of your symptoms. We will perform an assessment of your posture and strength and then perform the internal assessment of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor assessment does not need to happen on the first visit, or ever for that matter. Read the blog post about what to expect from a pelvic floor evaluation.
You will leave the first appointment with having learned about a very important part of your body, what is going on and why you are having the symptoms you are having. You’ll have a plan to meet your goals and a few tools to begin to incorporate into your daily routine.
Does everyone have to get an internal evaluation?
For pelvic floor dysfunction, an internal vaginal and/or rectal examination is the gold standard; however, this does not need to happen on the first visit or at all. You are in control of your care. We will explain everything thoroughly so you understand why the evaluation is important and ensure you are comfortable throughout your session. It is your choice to participate in any part of the assessment/treatment. With this in mind, the pelvic floor is only one piece of the puzzle; there are many other structures of the pelvic region that are assessed externally and are often the focus for the majority of the treatments.
Can I still come to my appointment during my menstrual cycle?
Yes. If your flow is light and you feel comfortable, internal pelvic floor work is still appropriate. If your flow is heavy and/or you feel uncomfortable, internal work is not necessary. There are plenty of other things we can focus on!
What Should I Wear to My Appointment?
Wear or bring comfortable clothing you can move easily in. If you forget, that’s o.k. too, we can make pretty much anything work. Generally, you do not need to bring sneakers.
Can I Bring My Child With Me to the Appointment?
It is totally up to you. Some sessions, we will be focused on relaxation and/or performing internal work, so if you feel you will be unable to relax with your child in the room, maybe it would be best to find a time that you would have childcare. We do offer late hours (until 8pm) for just this reason. Please feel free to nurse or change a diaper while we talk (babies always have blowouts in our office, it’s a gift, really). However, we are happy to hold a fussy baby so mom can focus on herself!
How many sessions will I need to treat my issue?
It depends. The amount of appointments needed is very individualized, and we can better answer this question after the first visit. Typically, we recommend sessions on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.
Will you teach me exercises I can do at home?
Yes! We will work together to develop a customized home program to include exercises, proper posture for your body and education on how to properly care for yourself that is realistic to your lifestyle and goals. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to integrate your home program into your everyday activities.
What is the cancellation policy?
We ask that you cancel at least 24 hours prior to your session via phone, email or online. If you do not show for your appointment or cancel after this time, you are subject to a full session fee.
How do I find out if insurance will cover my treatment?
Please refer to the insurance worksheet when asking your insurance provider of your out-of-network benefits.
How do I pay for treatments?
Payments are due at time of service. Cash, check, credit cards and health savings accounts (HSAs) are accepted. You will receive an itemized receipt to submit for reimbursement from your insurance provider if you wish.
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