Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) has seen a surge in awareness and demand over the past few years, and Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness (RIPW), located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, is at the forefront of this important movement. While many still associate pelvic floor therapy solely with postpartum recovery, the reality is that it offers life-changing benefits for people of all ages and genders.

PFPT addresses dysfunction in the muscles at the base of the pelvis which are responsible for supporting the bladder, bowel and reproductive organs, and play key roles in posture, stability and sexual function. When these muscles are weak, tight or out of sync, dysfunction can arise.

RIPW offers specialized care for individuals experiencing issues that are often overlooked or misunderstood, including:

•  Urinary dysfunction such as urgency, frequency, incontinence, hesitancy and nocturia

•  Bowel symptoms like constipation, straining and incontinence

•  Pelvic pain, including pressure, aching or discomfort

•  Tailbone pain, often triggered by sitting, a past injury or childbirth trauma

•  Sexual dysfunction, including pain with intimacy, erectile dysfunction or reduced sensation

•  Pelvic organ prolapse, common during menopause or after childbirth

•  Post-surgical pelvic rehabilitation, including recovery after prostate cancer treatment, a hysterectomy or other pelvic surgeries

•  Chronic low back, abdominal wall or hip pain that may be linked to underlying pelvic floor issues

Care Across the Lifespan

RIPW provides expert care at every stage of life. During pregnancy, pelvic floor therapy can help maintain a pain-free, active lifestyle, reduce the risk of tearing during delivery, and lay the groundwork for easier postpartum recovery. In the postpartum phase, PFPT supports healing, restores bladder and bowel control, and helps reestablish strength.

During menopause, hormonal changes can weaken the pelvic floor and contribute to symptoms like prolapse or pain with intimacy. PFPT can help manage these changes and improve overall pelvic support and function.

PFPT is not just for women. RIPW also treats men that experience pelvic floor dysfunction, especially after prostate surgery or due to chronic pelvic pain syndromes.

A Specialized, Whole-Body Approach

RIPW, co-owned by Emily Santello and Olivia Crudele, provides personalized, one-on-one care in a supportive environment. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, combining manual therapy, targeted exercises, movement retraining and education to address the root cause of symptoms—not just manage them.

As public awareness grows, more individuals are seeking help for symptoms that were once dismissed as “normal” parts of aging, childbirth or recovery. Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness is helping to shift that narrative, emphasizing that pelvic health issues are treatable and patients don’t have to suffer in silence.

“Pelvic floor therapy is not just for postpartum women—it’s for anyone seeking to move, live, and feel better,” says Santello. “We’re here to help.”

Location: 267 Main St., Unit 1R, East Greenwich, RI. For more information or to make an appointment, call 401-200-4373, email [email protected] or visit RhodeIslandPelvicWellness.com.