Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Pelvic floor muscle training or "Kegel" exercise is becoming more established in the literature to treat bladder, bowel and sexual issues such as incontinence. However, not everyone will benefit from it. Many times, incontinence, pelvic pain, and other symptoms can be associated by many other factors, including tension, mental disorders, stress, lifestyle and more.

Pelvic floor muscles are located at the base of the pelvis and act as a sling supporting the bladder and rectum in males, and the bladder, the uterus and the rectum in females. These muscles can sense whenever there is change in pressure (for example when you cough or sneeze) and contract to support the organs, at the same time clamping the urethra tube to prevent urinary leakages.

PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, such as myself, receive specialized training to be able to assess the pelvis internally and externally, and diagnose bladder, bowel and sexual conditions. Holistic pelvic health goes beyond assessing the pelvic floor, it addresses each individual and body uniquely, with the goal of identifying key factors (physical, emotional or psychosocial) contributing to the dysfunction/ disease/condition.

What my clients and colleagues have to say about me!

Over the years, I have helped over 2,000 individual with pelvic health related problems, making them less stressed, more productive, and most definitely a little happier. I am humbled by the great feedback I received throughout my career, as it validates my mission to improve quality of life, health and well-being.

Sam has taken the time for me to develop trust, encourages me to be part of my treatment plan, and continues to display a weath of knowlegde. And without hands on/ invasive treatment (as I have history of sexual trauma and PTSD), I have noticed improvements - not just physically but mentally. I highly recommend Sam Hughes if you are in need of pelvic floor physiotherapy. She is not just knows what she is doing, but she is also kind, compassionate and has a good sense of humour.

I have been struggling with vulvodynia since I was a teen. For years, I had no idea what to do with the constant pain, irritation and burning sensation accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling in my hip/pelvis.

Sam kindly introduced to me to her field of expertise, and treated this sensitive issue with utmost professionalism and compassion.

For many years, Sam has been an invaluable resource for both my female and male patients. Whether the problem is pelvic pain, stress incontinence or pre/post prostatectomy care, Sam has the knowledge and experience to help manage these problems.

I highly recommend Sam as a pelvic health physiotherapist.

Dr Herman Kwan ,
Urologist

I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you! I have been able to work up to running 5km with my baby girl in the stroller without leaking! Your support, positive encouragement, assessment, exercise recommendations, pelvic floor exercises, and fascia release made all the difference. I did not imagine I would be here when I initially came to you so I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your support and services.Thank you again, I will be back if I need to and will for sure return after baby #2

Stacy

COMING SOON THE SECOND EDITION OF THIS PATIENT GUIDE!

Urinary Incontinence and Erectile Dysfunction can be successfully treated after prostate cancer surgery! If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have chosen surgery for treating the cancer, "The Guide to Optimizing Recovery After Prostate Cancer Surgery" is for you!

This guide is recommended by health care practitioners/ surgeons and pelvic health physiotherapists as a must read before or after prostate cancer surgery.

Order your copy now!

What I Offer

I am a registered physiotherapist, holistic pelvic health practitioner and an educator. My approach to healing is to address all the independent parts that can affect pelvic health (emotional, physical or psychological). I treat urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain syndromes (interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, pelvic girdle pain), sexual pain (vulvodynia, dyspareunia, vaginismus), constipation, fecal incontinence (or bowel incontinence), diastasis recti, over-active bladder, and more.

Clinical Consultations

I offer Virtual Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Consultations

Learning with Sam

I am available for lunch and learns, community events and more, e-mail me for more information

Areas of Expertise

Pregnancy and Post Partum

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy during Pregnancy and post partum

Pregnancy and post partum care is essential for a healthy mom and baby. Maintaining health, physical activity and controlling any other symptoms that may occur during pregnancy or delivery is important. Pelvic health physiotherapy helps with pain, urinary incontinence, vaginal heaviness, abdominal weakness and more. The sooner these symptoms are addressed, the sooner recovery is established. Empowering women with knowledge and care pre-natal can help with optimizing delivery and improving post partum recovery.

In this section you will find information on prenatal and postcartum care, and it will be updated frequently.

Learn more Pregnancy and Post Partum

Men’s Health

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for men.

Men have a pelvis too, and although not as common as women, they may present with pelvic painful syndromes, sexual and bladder symptoms that can be addressed and treated by seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist.

I treat urinary incontinence, urinary retention, prostate painful syndrome (prostatitis), pelvic pain syndrome (localized to scrotum, penis, bladder or generalized on pelvic region), urgency and frequency, and I run a prostate cancer pre and post surgery program. I also wrote "The guide to Optimizing Recovery After Prostate Cancer Surgery": which can be used to complement prostate cancer physiotherapy or be used for men who don't have access to care.

Learn more Men’s Health

Sexual Health

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy can help sexual dysfunction.

Conditions such as painful sex (vestibulodynia, vaginismus, vulvodynia), inability to maintain erection, painful ejaculation, decreased vaginal sensation, vaginal dryness post menopause, vaginal sensitivity post partum or post surgery can be treated very successfully with pelvic health physiotherapy. Sexual Health is one of my passion, as I believe it is an area where there is very little discussion between health care providers and clients. Usually vaginal sensitivity and pain can contribute to bladder symptoms, such as urgency, retention and incontinence. Other bladder conditions such as interstitial cystitis can be triggered by painful sex and sensitivity. So it is important to treat sexual pain.

Let’s talk about sexual health, as SEX and PAIN should not go together!

Learn more Sexual Health

Pelvic Pain

How can pelvic floor physiotherapy help improve pelvic pain?

Pelvic Pain is an umbrella term that encompasses many symptoms and disorders. It includes location of pain such as pubic, tail bone, sacrum, low back, groin, vaginal, penile, scrotum, bladder, perineum, pelvic floor, and lower abdomen. It also includes chronic pelvic pain syndromes such as prostatitis and interstitial cystitis. If you have pelvic pain with any bladder or sexual symptoms or pelvic pain after or during pregnancy it is recommended to see a pelvic health physiotherapy.

Chronic Pelvic pain syndromes are usually not from an infection or a disease process.
It is a condition where your nervous system becomes de-regulated or sensitized.
Finding strategies to regulate your nervous system, address pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, address emotional or mental health status, use urge suppression techniques and relaxation can help symptoms. Usually, It should be treated holistically with biopsychosocial approach.

I can help address your pain and empower you with tools to help manage your symptoms.

Learn more Pelvic Pain

Pelvic floor physiotherapy for men and women addressing urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, sexual pain, bowel and bladder issues.

Holistic Pelvic health : treating all genders with compassion and expertise.
Available through virtual consultations

I am a registered
physiotherapist, holistic
pelvic health practitioner,
public speaker & author.

I believe that the most
important part of
treatment is connecting
with my clients.

My approach to healing is to
address all the independent
parts that can affect pelvic
health with unconditional
support and understanding.

Men’s Health

Pregnancy & Post Partum

Sexual Health

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

What my clients and colleagues have to say about me!