Stroma Pelvic Health for All Genders
Stroma’s Pelvic Health program combines many different approaches of healing to treat all genders for issues related to the pelvic floor. With our clinical skills and our proprietary tool called the Pelvic Visual Analog Scale or P-VAS™ (see below to learn more) we are able to determine the right treatment path for you.
Pelvic rehabilitation, also known as pelvic floor rehabilitation or pelvic physical therapy, is a specialized area within physical therapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles and associated structures. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum.
Pelvic rehabilitation is provided by physical therapists who have received specialized training in addressing issues related to the pelvic region. These therapists work with individuals (females and males) who may be experiencing a variety of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Some common conditions treated through pelvic rehabilitation include:
- Pelvic Pain: This can include pain in the pelvic region, lower abdomen, perineum, or during sexual activity. Pelvic floor physical therapists assess and address the contributing factors to alleviate pain.
- Incontinence: Pelvic rehabilitation is often utilized for the treatment of urinary or fecal incontinence. Therapists work on strengthening and coordinating the pelvic floor muscles to improve control.
- Constipation: Pelvic rehabilitation can be used to treat many gut disorders including constipation, gastric dumping, bloating and poor digestion. Pelvic floor therapists will approach all digestive conditions with a holistic approach to improve the outcomes of each patient.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in supporting pelvic organs. In cases of pelvic organ prolapse, where organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum descend into the vaginal space, pelvic rehabilitation can be employed to strengthen and support the pelvic floor.
- Pre and Postpartum Conditions: Pelvic floor physical therapy is beneficial during pregnancy to address issues like back pain, pelvic pain, and prepare for childbirth. Postpartum, it helps in recovery, addressing issues like pelvic floor weakness, pain, and incontinence.
- Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse): Pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to pain during sexual activity. Pelvic rehabilitation aims to identify and address factors contributing to dyspareunia.
- Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Pelvic floor physical therapy may be part of the treatment plan for individuals with conditions causing chronic bladder pain and discomfort.
P-VAS™
A First-of-Its-Kind Subjective Tool for Pelvic Floor Assessment!
Pelvic Floor Muscles (PFM) play a crucial role in core strength, continence, and pelvic health. Clinicians—including Pelvic Floor Therapists, Gynecologists, Urologists, Gastroenterologists, and exercise professionals—commonly evaluate two key characteristics of these muscles:
- Strength (the active, force-generating capacity)
- Stretch or Laxity (the passive resistance to stretch)
Traditionally, these attributes are assessed manually through physical exams, which can vary depending on the practitioner’s technique and experience. Until now, there has been no way for patients to contribute their own perspective to this assessment in a measurable way.
That’s where our proprietary Pelvic Visual Analog Scale (P-VAS) comes in.
Modeled after widely used tools like the Visual Analog Scale for pain, the P-VAS empowers patients to self-report their perception of pelvic floor muscle strength and laxity on a continuous vertical scale. This subjective measure helps bridge the gap between clinical findings and patient experience—especially in cases where in-person assessments are not possible.
Why it matters:
The P-VAS offers a consistent, scalable way to track progress, initiate informed conversations, and guide personalized care—making it a valuable tool for both remote and in-person pelvic health evaluations.