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FAQ
At Catalyst Physical Therapy, we understand that you may have some questions about our services. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions below to help you better understand what we offer and how we can help you. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Frequently asked questions
General
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that helps address dysfunctions of the pelvic floor muscles. This includes symptoms of pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, urinary or bowel dysfunctions, weakness, and prolapse to name a few. If pelvic floor physical therapy is deemed appropriate, an external and internal evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles will be performed with consent. A treatment plan will be created to address your unique situation to help you get back to what makes you happy.
We know that this can seem very intimidating, so we make every effort to make this experience as safe and comfortable as possible. You will always be in a private room, covered appropriately, and you will always know what will happen before it occurs.
What sets our treatment approach apart from other clinics is the holistic, full-body perspective combined with advanced expertise in both pelvic floor therapy and orthopedics. We don’t just treat symptoms in isolation—We assess how your entire body functions together. Your pelvic floor is deeply connected to areas like your jaw, diaphragm, hips, and feet, and dysfunction in one area can impact the others. Because we specialize in both pelvic health and orthopedic care, we can address all of these factors at once, leading to more effective, lasting results and a more complete healing experience.
Many of our patients come to us feeling frustrated after other PT experiences that didn’t lead to lasting results. Some patients have seen 5+ different PTs in the past and still see results with our approach.
What makes our approach different is a combination of advanced expertise in both pelvic floor and orthopedic care, and a holistic, full-body assessment that looks far beyond the site of pain. We take the time to understand how different parts of your body are connected and create a personalized plan that addresses the root cause—not just the symptoms. Most patients feel relief, hope, and progress within just a few sessions.
No—Arizona is a direct access state, which means you can schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist without a physician referral. We’re able to assess your whole body, identify the root cause of your symptoms, and begin care right away. If at any point we feel additional medical input is needed, we’ll help guide you through the next steps and collaborate with the appropriate providers to ensure you’re fully supported.
Your first visit is all about getting to know you. You’ll spend time one-on-one with your physical therapist discussing your symptoms, medical history, goals, and what you hope to get out of therapy. We’ll perform a comprehensive assessment that may include evaluating movement, strength, coordination, and symptom response.
Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to areas such as your back, arms, and legs. After the evaluation, your therapist will walk you through the findings, explain what’s contributing to your symptoms, and outline how we can address them together. You’ll leave with a clear plan of care, an individualized home program with detailed instructions, and access to your personal patient portal so you feel supported every step of the way.
Yes! We understand that your family comes first and we want to support you and your family. We are all too familiar with the challenges of finding childcare to go to healthcare appointments, especially in the early postpartum period. We never want that to be a barrier to getting the care you deserve. If you have a baby or toddler we can make accommodations for your little one by using the clinic's pack-n-play, your stroller, or bringing a partner to watch the child. If you are breastfeeding we encourage you to breastfeed the baby whenever needed during your appointment. If you are pumping you are welcome to pump in the private room during your session as appropriate. If you have an older child, they can either sit in the room with us during your visit or they are welcome to sit in the lobby if that is a better option.
Bringing baby to your appointment gives us a good opportunity to practice body mechanics, posture, and give tips on pain management with baby. It also allows us to give options of incorporating your little one into your exercise routine.
Yes! If having your loved one in the room with you during your examination and/or treatment is what you prefer that is fine with us! It can be beneficial to have your partner/spouse receive the education alongside you and we can give your partner tips to help in your recovery. This is especially helpful with pregnant women preparing for birth or people recovering from surgery.
If you are scheduled for your initial evaluation, first off, thank you! We are excited to be a part of your recovery and health journey! Before you come in for your first visit you will be sent a packet of information that needs to be filled out prior to being seen. This allows us to review your medical history, list of medications, current complaints, and goals so we can be as efficient during our time as possible. It also allows us to track your recovery by using measurable tools to see progress. We know filling out forms is time-consuming and, quite frankly, annoying so we have worked hard to make it as simple as possible.
Some other things that we recommend preparing beforehand are questions for us, your birth plan if you are pregnant, and any medical records that seem important (such as imaging or surgical reports). You can have any medical records faxed to our office beforehand if you would like them reviewed by your physical therapist prior to your visit. Our fax number is (520) 201-6519.
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