Beyond the Pelvic Floor: Why Occupational Therapy Belongs in Pelvic Health Care
Occupational therapy is an essential component of client—centered, pelvic health care.
Pelvic health is more than the pelvic floor…
I branched into pelvic health as an occupational therapist after recognizing a consistent gap in the care of my clients. While working in private practice for women’s health, I felt like something was missing in their care — the impact on pelvic health conditions on daily function, identity, mental health, relationships, and meaningful participation.
Over time, it became clear that other clinicians, physicians, and clients were all searching for the same missing link:
“There’s the pelvic floor… and then there are the psychosocial and functional impacts. So how do we bridge that gap?”
My practice has been shaped by the biopsychosocial lens, recognizing that pelvic health is not solely a physical issue, but one that is deeply influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors interacting together.
I have been practicing in this niche for nearly 5 years, focusing on that intersection where pelvic health conditions affect real life, not just symptoms.
Pelvic health is not separate from occupational therapy; it is where OT becomes indispensable.
Pelvic health: An emerging area of OT practice in Canada
Pelvic health is an emerging area of practice within occupational therapy in Canada. Because it is still relatively unfamiliar within many clinical and educational settings, it is not always clearly recognized as part of occupational therapy’s scope. As a result, some clinicians may feel uncertain about entering this field, and opportunities for OT involvement in pelvic health remain underrepresented.
Yet the need is clear.
When OT is absent from this space, an important functional and holistic perspective is often missing from care.
Over the past two years, I have been working alongside occupational therapists across Canada to help address this gap. Together, we have formed a Canadian Occupational Therapy Task Force in Pelvic Health, with the goal of supporting the development, recognition, and legitimacy of pelvic health as a defined and essential area of OT practice.
Paving the way for OTs
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CAOT Position Statement on OT’s role in Pelvic Health
We are proud to share our published position paper developed in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), outlining the role, scope, and essential contribution of OT in pelvic health. -
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Join the movement
We are building a national community of occupational therapists who are shaping the future of pelvic health practice. If you are interested in expanding into this area, you are not alone and you do not have to figure it all out yourself. -
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Mentorship
If you are an occupational therapist looking to confidently integrate pelvic health into your clinical practice, private mentorship is available.
This is designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, supporting clinical reasoning, confidence, and practical integration within your setting.
