Male Pelvic Floor Therapy in Philadelphia: What It Helps and What to Expect
- Jonathan Schehr, DPT
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
By: Jonathan Schehr, DPT
Founder, Manual Physical Therapist
Root Holistic Manual Therapy and Performance
If you are dealing with pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, constipation, or sexual dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy may help identify the root cause and give you a clear treatment plan. Many men are surprised to learn that these issues are often related to tension, weakness, poor coordination, or irritation in the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles, nerves, and connective tissues.
At Root Holistic Manual Therapy and Performance, pelvic health care is designed to be private, one-on-one, and practical. The goal is not just to reduce symptoms, but to understand why they are happening and what needs to change to help you move forward with more comfort and confidence.
Dealing with pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, or post surgical issues?
Schedule a consultation to talk through your symptoms and find out whether pelvic floor therapy is the right next step.
What Male Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help With
Male pelvic floor therapy can help with a wide range of symptoms that affect daily life, exercise, relationships, and confidence. It is commonly used for pelvic pain, bladder and bowel symptoms, sexual health concerns, and recovery after prostate surgery.
• Pelvic, groin, penile, testicular, rectal, or perineal pain.
• Urinary urgency, frequency, leakage, dribbling, or difficulty emptying.
• Constipation, straining, or incomplete bowel emptying.
• Pain with ejaculation or sexual activity.
• Ongoing symptoms after prostate surgery.
These symptoms are not always caused by a single structure. In many cases, the pelvic floor is part of a larger pattern involving the hips, low back, abdomen, breathing mechanics, posture, or nervous system tension.
Signs It May Be Time to Get Evaluated
Some men wait a long time before getting help because the symptoms feel confusing, embarrassing, or hard to explain. But if the problem keeps returning or is limiting your daily life, it is worth getting evaluated.
You have symptoms that have not fully improved with rest, stretching, medication, or general exercise.
You have been told everything looks “normal,” but you still do not feel normal.
Your symptoms get worse with sitting, stress, workouts, bowel movements, or intimacy.
You want a more complete musculoskeletal and movement-based assessment.
Not sure if this applies to you?
A short exploratory call can help clarify whether your symptoms sound like a pelvic floor issue and whether an in-person evaluation makes sense.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
The first visit usually starts with a conversation. You will talk through your symptoms, medical history, past treatments, bladder and bowel habits, sexual health concerns, activity level, and goals. This part matters because pelvic floor symptoms are often influenced by more than one factor.
Posture and movement assessment.
Breathing and core coordination assessment.
Hip, spine, abdomen, and pelvic region assessment.
External pelvic floor assessment, when relevant.
Internal pelvic floor assessment, if appropriate, explained clearly, and only with your consent.
A good pelvic floor evaluation should feel collaborative, respectful, and clear. You should understand what is being assessed, why it matters, and what the next step is before you leave.
What Treatment May Look Like
Treatment depends on your findings, not just your diagnosis. Some men need downtraining and relaxation, others need strengthening and coordination, and many need a combination of manual therapy, movement work, and habit changes.
Hands-on treatment to the abdomen, hips, pelvis, or pelvic floor.
Breathing and relaxation strategies to reduce tension and guarding.
Mobility or strengthening exercises.
Bladder or bowel habit education.
Functional retraining to make daily activity, exercise, and intimacy feel easier again.
The purpose of treatment is not just symptom control. It is to help you understand your body better and improve the patterns that are keeping the problem going.
Why Patients Look for a Male Pelvic Floor Therapist
For many men, talking about pelvic health is already uncomfortable. Working with a male therapist can make the process feel more approachable and less intimidating, especially when the symptoms involve urinary, bowel, sexual, or post-surgical concerns.
Root Holistic Manual Therapy and Performance offers pelvic floor therapy for men in Center City Philadelphia, including care related to pelvic pain and post-prostatectomy recovery. Dr. Jonathan Schehr is also the best rated male pelvic health treatment provider in the city.
What Improvement Can Look Like
Progress may mean less pain, better bowel or bladder control, less tension with sitting or exercise, or simply more confidence in your body again. Some people notice change quickly, while others improve more gradually depending on how long symptoms have been present and what is contributing to them.
The key is having a plan that is specific, measurable, and based on your presentation rather than a generic handout.
If you are dealing with pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, bowel issues, or post-prostatectomy changes, the first step is a focused evaluation.
You do not need to keep guessing.
Is pelvic floor therapy only for women?
No. Pelvic floor therapy can help men with pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, bowel issues, sexual dysfunction, and post-surgical recovery.
Will the first visit include internal work?
Not necessarily. A pelvic floor evaluation may include external assessment first, and any internal assessment should be explained clearly and done only with your consent.
How many visits does treatment usually take?
That depends on your symptoms, goals, and how long the problem has been present. Some people notice improvement within a few visits, while others need a longer plan.
What if I am not sure whether this is the right fit?
That is exactly where an exploratory call can help. It gives you a low-pressure way to ask questions, describe your symptoms, and decide whether a full evaluation makes sense.
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