What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists (OTs) use a holistic approach to promote and improve engagement in daily activities that occupy our time (occupations). These include ADLs (activities of daily living) and IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living) (see list below). OTs assess and analyze how disease, injury, and/or disability impact environment, life roles, habits, and routines. OTs also look at how symptoms affect one’s social and emotional well-being, as well as the ability to engage in everyday occupations that are necessary and meaningful to quality of life.
Occupational Therapy in Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
In pelvic health rehabilitation, Occupational therapists (OTs) use a Biopsychosocial and Biomechanical approach to help clients with pelvic floor dysfunction improve participation in daily activities that bring meaning to their lives. OTs assess and analyze how life roles, habits, routines, environment, social and mental health are impacted by one’s pelvic health symptoms and conversely. They find practical and sustainable strategies that fit into one’s daily routine so they can fully engage in what matters most to them (i.e. playing with their kids, hiking with friends, enjoying intimacy). They place a greater emphasis on environmental modifications, ADLS, IADLs, social participation, leisure engagement, mental-health, emotional-wellbeing, adapting to new life roles and routines (ex: becoming a mother), and how these areas may contribute to and/or impact pelvic health symptoms.
Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Pelvic Health
While Physical Therapy training focuses on the neuromuscular system (nerves, muscles, bones and joints), OTs carefully consider the mind-body connection and how pelvic health issues affect daily life. They use a holistic lens that weaves in mental, social, spiritual, and physical health to restore participation in daily activities so that one is less limited by pelvic health symptoms. For example, when addressing urinary urgency, OT will spend time understanding the person as a whole by analyzing their life roles, habits, routines, environments (do they work in a fast-paced work setting?), stressors, mental health history, and general lifestyle to identify possible contributing factors. To address urinary urgency, OT specifically use sleep hygiene education, mindfulness, interoception training, environmental modifications, and nervous system regulation for chronic stress reduction, anxiety management, and habit retraining. For other pelvic health concerns, like leakage, pain, or postpartum changes, OTs focus on how symptoms impact tasks like caregiving, work, sleep, social participation, and toileting habits, and making these activities more comfortable and with increased confidence.
OT specific treatment sessions may include:
- Addressing ADLs (daily living skills) and functional activities in the context of pelvic health. For example, OT may focus more on the functional impact of pelvic floor concerns on toileting, dressing, sexual health, intimacy with their partner, and relationships with others.
- Environmental strategies such as adjusting toilet height, recommending adaptive clothing and equipment, bathroom modifications, & sensory-based strategies
- Behavioral strategies such as relaxation & pain management, mindfulness, managing medication, planning schedules for using the bathroom & improving voiding habits
- Psychosocial strategies (sensory-based strategies, mindfulness, stress management, nervous system regulation, education and support, health care advocacy)
- Education on lifestyle changes, hygiene practices, nutritional considerations, and general health management (navigating doctor visits and conversations with medical providers)
Pelvic floor rehabilitation is under the scope of practice for both physical and occupational therapists. Physical therapists often zoom in on movement, strength, and musculoskeletal function, while occupational therapists focus on how pelvic issues affect your ability to live life fully and independently. While they both address pelvic health concerns and pain through exercise, movement, and external manual therapy, they each bring unique and valuable perspectives to patient care. Regardless of the rehab specialty, the goal of pelvic health is to help client’s regain control over their body, reduce symptoms, and improve daily functioning.
Interested in learning more about Pelvic Health?
Learn more on our page About Pelvic Health here.
An Outline of ADLs, IADLs, and daily occupations
ADLs: toileting, sexual intimacy, functional mobility, and dressing
IADLs: care of others and pets, driving and community mobility, health management, home management, meal preparation, shopping, religious and spiritual activities, and shopping.
Rest and Sleep: rest, sleep preparation, and sleep participation
Education: activities needed for learning and participating in educational environments
Work: job and/or volunteer performance and participation
Play and Leisure: an activity that provides enjoyment, pleasure, and entertainment
Social Participation: social activities with community, family, friends and peers
Information written and provided by Dr. Erika Castro-Carter, OTD, OTR/L
Pelvic Health Specialist, Occupational Therapist
Read Erika’s Bio here
