2481 Valleydale Road, Hoover AL
Your Questions About Pelvic Floor & Women's Health PT — Answered
30 years of orthopedic experience, specialized in women's health and pelvic floor care.
Call to Schedule: 205-515-0258Pelvic floor physical therapy is specialized hands-on care that addresses the muscles, connective tissue, and nerves of the pelvic region. At Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover, Alabama, our pelvic PT treats conditions including urinary leakage, pelvic pain, prolapse, postpartum recovery, painful intercourse, and core weakness. Treatment is evidence-based and completely tailored to your body and goals.
Women at any stage of life can benefit. Pelvic floor PT is appropriate for:
- Women experiencing urinary leakage when laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercising
- Postpartum women recovering from vaginal birth or C-section
- Women in perimenopause or menopause dealing with pelvic pain, dryness, or prolapse symptoms
- Women with painful intercourse or vaginismus
- Anyone experiencing pelvic pressure, heaviness, or core weakness
- Women preparing for or recovering from pelvic surgery
Pelvic floor PT should not be painful. Your comfort is the priority at every step. Some assessment techniques may feel unfamiliar, but your therapist will always explain what she is doing, check in throughout the session, and adjust based on your feedback. Most patients leave their first appointment feeling relieved — and informed about their own body in a new way.
We treat a wide range of conditions including:
- Urinary leakage (stress, urge, and mixed incontinence)
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain and pressure
- Postpartum recovery (vaginal and C-section)
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) and vaginismus
- Interstitial cystitis and bladder urgency
- Hip, low back, and SI joint pain
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Diastasis recti
- Menopause-related pelvic changes
- General orthopedic conditions (neck, shoulder, knee, and more)
We recommend an initial evaluation at 6 weeks postpartum following vaginal delivery, or once you have been cleared by your OB or midwife. For C-section deliveries, timing depends on your healing. Early postpartum guidance — breathing, posture, and gentle pelvic floor awareness — is often appropriate before 6 weeks. Contact us and we will advise based on your specific situation.
Postpartum PT at our Hoover clinic includes assessment of your pelvic floor, core, hips, and posture. We check for diastasis recti (abdominal separation), assess scar tissue if you had a C-section or tearing, address any urinary or bowel changes, and create a safe return-to-exercise plan. We follow evidence-based guidelines from leading researchers in postpartum rehabilitation.
Yes. Menopause causes significant changes in the pelvic floor — including muscle thinning, reduced elasticity, and shifts in bladder control. Kaye Sharp holds a Women's Health Coach credential from the Integrative Women's Health Institute and runs the Thrive Through Menopause 12-week program, which integrates pelvic PT, exercise, nutrition, and hormone health education to help women feel strong and in control during this transition.
Urinary leakage is common in menopause, but it is not something you have to simply accept. Declining estrogen affects the tissues of the bladder and urethra, while pelvic floor muscle changes affect control. Pelvic floor PT is highly effective for menopausal urinary incontinence — multiple studies show it outperforms medication for stress and urge incontinence with no side effects. We can help you regain control and confidence.
Many insurance plans cover pelvic floor physical therapy when medically necessary. We encourage you to call your insurance provider to verify your benefits before your first visit. We are happy to assist you in understanding your coverage. We also offer transparent cash-pay options for patients who prefer direct access without insurance. Call us at 205-515-0258 for details.
Alabama allows direct access to physical therapy, meaning you do not need a physician referral to begin PT. You can schedule an evaluation directly with us. However, some insurance plans may require a referral for coverage — please contact your insurance provider to confirm your specific plan's requirements.
Yes. Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy is located at 2481 Valleydale Road in Hoover, Alabama, conveniently serving women throughout the Birmingham metro area — including Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Pelham, and surrounding communities. Call us at 205-515-0258 or visit sharpphysicaltherapy.com to schedule.
Your first visit is a comprehensive evaluation lasting 60–75 minutes. We will review your health history, discuss your symptoms and goals, and perform an orthopedic and pelvic floor assessment. This may include an external exam and, with your full informed consent, an internal assessment. You will leave with a clear understanding of what is contributing to your symptoms and a personalized treatment plan — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC has 30 years of orthopedic experience with advanced specialization in women's health and pelvic floor PT. As a Women's Health Coach, she integrates hormone health, nutrition, and lifestyle into PT care — going beyond symptom management to help women truly thrive. Our practice is women-centered, unhurried, and deeply personalized. You will always see the same therapist, never an aide or rotating staff.
Frequently Asked Questions About POTS
What is POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)?
POTS is a condition of the autonomic nervous system that affects how the body regulates blood flow when moving from lying or sitting to standing. It's diagnosed when heart rate increases by more than 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing, without a drop in blood pressure, along with symptoms like dizziness, rapid heartbeat, brain fog, and fatigue.
Can physical therapy help with POTS?
Yes. Current research identifies exercise as a first-line, evidence-based treatment for POTS. The key is how it's introduced: a structured, recumbent-first exercise progression that gradually moves toward upright activity as cardiovascular tolerance improves, rather than standard upright exercise started too soon.
Why does exercise make my POTS symptoms worse instead of better?
Standard exercise asks the cardiovascular system to work against gravity right away, which is exactly what a dysregulated autonomic system struggles with. A POTS-informed program starts with recumbent or seated exercise, such as recumbent biking, rowing, or swimming, and progresses to upright activity gradually and individually, based on the patient's own tolerance.
Is there a connection between POTS, hypermobility, and pelvic floor dysfunction?
Yes. Research shows significant overlap between POTS, joint hypermobility (including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), and pelvic floor dysfunction. In hypermobile connective tissue, pelvic floor muscles often overwork to create stability the connective tissue doesn't provide, which means standard strengthening exercises can sometimes worsen symptoms rather than help.
What daily habits help manage POTS symptoms?
Alongside a supervised exercise program, guidelines commonly recommend around 3 liters of fluid per day, roughly 10 grams of sodium per day, waist-high compression garments to reduce blood pooling in the legs, sleeping with the head slightly elevated, and counter-pressure techniques like leg crossing or muscle tensing during symptom flares.
What should I look for in a POTS physical therapy program?
A well-built POTS program should include a thorough assessment (orthostatic vitals, hypermobility screening, and pelvic floor/breathing evaluation when relevant), an individualized recumbent-first exercise progression, education on fluid, salt, and compression habits, and ongoing communication with the patient's physician.
Does Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy treat POTS in Hoover, AL?
Yes. Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover, AL serves patients with POTS, particularly those with overlapping joint hypermobility or pelvic floor symptoms, offering individualized exercise reconditioning programs grounded in current research.
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You deserve specialized care from a therapist who truly understands women's health. Let's talk.