Men’s Health

Mans Health with Sam Hughes Physiotherapy

Men have a pelvis too, and although not as common as women, they may present with pelvic pain, sexual and bladder symptoms.

BOOK YOUR VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT

Specialized Physiotherapy for Men: Pelvic Pain, Bladder Concerns & Sexual Health

With over 15 years of experience in men’s health physiotherapy, Samantha provides care to men of all ages experiencing pelvic-related concerns, including:

  • Pre and Post-Prostate Cancer Surgery

  • Bladder Leakages (Urinary Incontinence)

  • Pelvic, Hip, or Low Back Pain

  • Chronic Prostatitis or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes

  • Scrotal or Penile Pain

  • Erectile Dysfunction (difficulty maintaining erections)

  • Urgency and Frequency (Bowel or Bladder)

  • Post-Prostate Cancer Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are common—yet treatable—side effects after prostate cancer surgery. While many men experience gradual improvement, a small percentage continue to struggle, which can deeply impact quality of life.

One of the primary causes of male urinary incontinence is prostate cancer surgery. During this procedure, the internal sphincter—which involuntarily controls urine leakage—may be damaged or partially removed. As a result, men typically lose some degree of urine control after surgery and may continue experiencing leakage during recovery. The recovery timeline varies for each individual, typically ranging from 6 weeks to 1 year.

Samantha has been treating men with post-prostatectomy incontinence for over a decade. In her clinical experience, many men tend to overdo pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), which may not always lead to better outcomes. Her approach includes thorough education, personalized guidance, and behavior coaching to help optimize bladder recovery and support men in regaining continence as soon as possible.

While pelvic floor muscle training can be a powerful tool, recovery often requires more than just exercise. Addressing the underlying root causes—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—is essential. Without that, even the best exercises may fall short.

"The most important part of treatment is connecting with each client, understanding their struggles, and offering my full support and expertise."

To learn more about recovery after surgery and how to support your bladder health, click below to order her book:
The Guide to Optimizing Recovery after Prostate Cancer Surgery.

Virtual Integrative Pelvic Health for Men

Healing that goes beyond the pelvic floor—now fully available from the comfort of your home.

Virtual care allows for personalized, whole-person support without the need to travel or feel rushed. In this online practice, men receive specialized care for pelvic health that addresses more than just symptoms. Through compassionate and evidence-informed sessions, we explore the physical, emotional, and behavioral components that may be influencing your well-being.

Integrative pelvic health goes beyond assessing the pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, or fascia. It looks at the entire body and the many interconnected factors that contribute to your condition. Each person is unique, and the goal is to identify what may be interfering with your recovery—whether it’s physical imbalance, emotional stress, or lifestyle-related patterns.

An integrative approach also means including personalized and guided exercises that support your body where it is today. These exercises are selected to match your specific needs and recovery stage and are taught step-by-step in a way that feels safe, clear, and achievable—even virtually.

For example, when addressing urinary incontinence or pelvic pain, virtual sessions may focus on:

  • Sleep and energy restoration

  • Emotional responses to leakage or pain

  • Digestive health and gut inflammation

  • Anxiety or depressive symptoms

  • Guided pelvic floor exercises and full-body movement

  • Breathing and relaxation strategies

Together, we use education, self-treatment tools, mindful movement, and behavioral coaching—all tailored to support your goals and empower you in your healing.


Principles of Integrative Health in Virtual Care:
  • Healing begins with compassionate, non-judgmental support

  • Every person has the capacity to heal

  • You are an active and empowered part of your recovery

  • Effective care is collaborative—between therapist and client

  • The body holds physical and emotional experiences that deserve attention


The Body as an Emotional Organ

Many men are surprised to learn how strongly the body—especially the pelvis—can store stress and emotions. Anxiety, grief, or long-term tension often show up in the form of pain, urgency, urinary frequency, or sexual dysfunction.

Studies have shown that the pelvic floor is one of the first areas to hold tension in stressful moments—even while watching something as simple as a suspenseful movie. Over time, this tension can become chronic, leading to symptoms like pain, bladder dysfunction, or a sense of disconnection from one’s own body.

Virtual physiotherapy allows us to explore these patterns with care. We don’t just treat symptoms—we uncover what’s underneath and help the body release tension through breath, movement, awareness, and gentle, guided exercises that promote healing from the inside out.

 

Pelvic Floor Muscles in Men

Pelvic floor muscles are located at the base of the pelvis and act as a sling supporting the bladder and rectum in males. The pelvic floor muscles plays a key role in controlling the bladder and bowel function, sexual appreciation, core stability, and helping to pump out the lymphatic flow of the pelvis. 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 muscle tension that can be generated by sports, stress, anxiety or depression can overtime cause bladder, bowel or sexual issues in men. 

 

Male Pelvic floor muscles anatomy