Frequently Asked Questions

The short answer: No. We work directly for YOU, not an insurance company.

At Pelvic Rehab Pocatello, we have intentionally chosen an out-of-network model because it allows us to provide the high-standard, holistic care you deserve. When a clinic bills insurance directly, the insurance company—not a medical professional—often dictates which body part we can treat, what techniques we can use, and how much time we are “allowed” to spend with you.

By staying out-of-network, we offer you:

  • Total Medical Freedom: We treat the whole person, not just a “coded” body part. If you come in for pelvic pain but your jaw is flaring or your breathing feels restricted, we can address all of it in one session without needing a new “prior authorization” or a separate plan of care.

  • Time & Depth: You are never handed off to a tech or an assistant. Every minute of your 60-to-90-minute session is 1-on-1 with your specialist. Because our care is so concentrated and holistic, most of our patients only need to see us once a week (or even less), rather than the traditional 3x/week grind required by insurance-based clinics.

  • Transparent Pricing (No “Healthcare Gambling”): We believe the “surprise bill” culture of modern healthcare is a barrier to healing. At our clinic, you will always know the exact cost of your care before you walk through the door. There are no hidden fees, no “facility charges,” and no bills that show up in your mailbox three months later. You pay for the service you receive, and that’s it.

Can I still get reimbursed? Yes! We are happy to provide you with a Superbill (a detailed medical receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. While we cannot guarantee payment, many patients find that a percentage of their cost is reimbursed or applied directly to their deductible.

HSA & FSA Friendly: We proudly accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards. These are great ways to use pre-tax dollars for your Physical Therapy, Myofunctional, or NRT sessions.

The short answer: A deep dive into your story, a full-body movement assessment, and a process where YOU are always in total control.

We don’t believe in rushing. Your first session is a 90-minute evaluation in a quiet, private treatment room where you are 1:1 with a skilled therapist the entire time. There are no “open gyms” or revolving doors here—just a safe space for us to find the root cause of your symptoms.

The Full-Body Assessment Because everything in the body is interconnected, we don’t just look at where it hurts. We assess your posture, how you breathe, and how you move from head to toe.

  • What to wear: Please wear comfortable, flexible clothing (like athletic wear) that allows you to move freely during your assessment.

Demystifying the “Internal Exam” For many pelvic and airway conditions, an internal assessment provides vital information that we simply can’t get from the outside. However, many people aren’t sure what this means. We believe in being direct so you don’t have to guess:

  • The Approach: We do not use speculums or cold stirrups. Any internal assessment or treatment is done gently using a single gloved finger.

  • The Locations: Depending on your symptoms, this may include a vaginal or rectal exam to assess pelvic floor tension, or an assessment inside the mouth (intra-oral) to look at the muscles of the jaw, tongue, and airway.

  • The Treatment: Often, the exam is the treatment. We can release deep-seated tension patterns from the inside that external work alone cannot reach.

Our Trauma-Informed Promise Internal work is a powerful tool, but it is never mandatory. * No Pressure: We move at the speed of your nervous system. If there is ever any hesitation, we stop. We can take more time to talk through the process, or we can skip it entirely and focus on external work.

  • Always in Control: You are the boss of your body. You can change your mind at any time—before, during, or after an exam. If you need a few sessions of external work before you feel comfortable with an internal assessment, that is exactly what we will do.

  • Support: You are always welcome to bring a partner or friend to your appointments for extra support.

The short answer: Because the “top” and the “bottom” of the spine are mirror images of one another—both physically and emotionally.

If you’ve ever noticed that you clench your teeth when you’re stressed, or that your pelvic pain flares up during a difficult week at work, you have experienced the “Mirror Tension” loop. We treat the jaw and airway alongside the pelvis because the body is an interconnected system, not a collection of isolated parts.

The Body’s “Gatekeepers” The jaw and the pelvic floor are the two primary “openings” to the body. Evolutionarily, these are the areas we guard most fiercely when we feel threatened, stressed, or overwhelmed. Because they are the “first responders” to stress, they are deeply emotional in nature. When your brain senses a threat—whether that’s a car accident or a high-stress job—it sends a signal to these gatekeepers to “brace.” If one is tight, the other is almost certainly tight as well.

The Spinal Connection Structurally, what happens at the top of your spine (the cranium and neck) directly affects the bottom of your spine (the sacrum and tailbone).

  • Mirror Tension: The fascia and nervous system pathways create a blueprint where the jaw mirrors the pelvic floor.

  • The Pressure System: Your airway and diaphragm act as the “piston” between these two points. If your breathing is shallow or restricted at the top, it creates a pressure imbalance at the bottom.

Treating the Whole Human Traditional therapy often treats the pelvic floor as if it were just a “floating vagina” disconnected from the rest of the person. At Pelvic Rehab Pocatello, we know better. We use your story and your symptoms to treat the root cause. By addressing the mirror tension in the jaw and airway, we can often unlock pelvic tension that has been “stuck” for years. We aren’t just treating a muscle; we are treating a whole human who deserves to feel safe and relaxed from head to toe.

Traditional massage focuses on rubbing muscles. Neural Reset Technique (NRT) focuses on the nervous system. By tapping into specialized receptors, Seth can ‘reset’ the signal from the brain that is telling a muscle to stay tight. It is a gentle, fully-clothed treatment that provides rapid relief for chronic guarding that deep tissue massage often misses.” [Learn more about NRT here.]

The short answer: Most patients feel a shift after their very first session, and significant, lasting change typically occurs within 6 to 8 visits.

Healing is not a linear process, and because we treat the whole person rather than just a symptom, the timeline looks different for everyone. If you have been experiencing an issue for years—or even decades—your nervous system may need a bit more time to “unlearn” those old guarding patterns.

Our Goal: Spaced-Out Success, Not a “3x/Week” Grind Unlike traditional clinics that require you to come in multiple times a week, our holistic and intensive 1-on-1 approach allows for more “breathing room” in your schedule.

  • The Initial Phase: We usually start with sessions every other week. This gives your body and nervous system time to integrate the manual work we do in the clinic.

  • The Maintenance Phase: As you begin to feel better and gain confidence in your home program, we naturally lengthen the time between visits (every 3 weeks, then once a month).

  • The Results: You should start noticing significant changes in your daily life and symptom levels within those first 6 to 8 visits.

Empowerment Over Dependency Our ultimate goal is to put the power back in your hands. Each session focuses on empowering you with the tools and movement programs you need to take charge of your own health. The more you engage with your “home play” and nervous system resets, the faster you will see results.

Wellness for Life (The “Dental Model” of Pelvic Health) At Pelvic Rehab Pocatello, we don’t believe in the “discharge and disappear” model. Once your initial symptoms are resolved, we don’t just say goodbye. Many of our patients transition into Preventative Wellness. Just as you see a dentist twice a year for a cleaning, many of our patients choose to come in quarterly or biannually for a “tune-up.” This allows us to address small tensions before they become big problems, moving your care from “crisis management” to “long-term vitality.” You are always welcome to come back in as needed—we are your partners in health for the long haul.

The short answer: Absolutely. In fact, it can be one of the most productive times for a session.

Being on your period does not interfere with our ability to provide high-quality care. While some patients feel a bit hesitant, we want you to know that as pelvic floor specialists, periods are a normal part of what we see every day—it does not bother our DPTs at all.

Why treating during your cycle is valuable: Coming in during your period allows us to see how your body and nervous system are responding in real-time to your cycle’s hormonal and physical shifts.

  • Uterine Mobility: During your period, the uterus becomes heavier and sits lower in the pelvis. This provides a unique opportunity for us to assess how the surrounding tissues and ligaments are supporting that extra weight and movement.

  • Symptom Mapping: If you experience increased cramping, back pain, or pelvic heaviness during your cycle, seeing you while you are symptomatic helps us identify exactly which tension patterns are flaring so we can address them at the source.

  • Nervous System Insights: We can observe how your system handles the natural inflammatory process of menstruation, helping us fine-tune your care for long-term relief.

Your Comfort is the Priority We always move at the speed of your comfort. If you aren’t comfortable with an internal exam while on your period, we will absolutely respect that. We can spend the entire session focusing on external work, breathing mechanics, or nervous system regulation. However, if you are comfortable, internal work during this time can provide incredible information for your healing.

Whether you are on Day 1 or Day 28 of your cycle, you are always welcome in our treatment rooms.

Absolutely. Pain during or after intimacy is often a sign that the pelvic floor muscles are ‘guarding’ or unable to relax. This can be caused by scar tissue, hormonal changes, or a nervous system that is stuck in a ‘fight or flight’ state. By using gentle manual techniques—both external and internal—along with breathing strategies, we can help desensitize the area and restore comfort. You don’t have to just ‘push through it’ or ‘have a glass of wine’ to relax. There is a physiological reason for your pain, and we are here to help you solve it.

No. In Idaho, you have ‘Direct Access’ to physical therapy. This means you can book your evaluation immediately without waiting for a referral from a physician.

Myofunctional therapy is essentially ‘physical therapy for the mouth and face.’ If you struggle with mouth breathing, snoring, clenching/grinding, or have been told you have a tongue tie, your ‘top’ pressure system is likely compromised. Because the tongue and the pelvic floor are connected via a deep line of fascia, a ‘tight’ tongue often means a ‘tight’ pelvis. Izzy specializes in retraining these muscles to improve your airway, sleep, and pelvic health simultaneously.

Massage treats the muscle, and chiropractic treats the bone. While both are valuable, they often miss the Nervous System—the ‘software’ that controls the ‘hardware.’ If your brain still perceives a threat, it will tell your muscles to tighten back up immediately after a massage. Our use of Neural Reset Technique (NRT), Positional Release Therapy (PRT), and Craniosacral therapy ‘reboots’ the signal from the brain. By resetting the nervous system first, the physical changes we make in your session actually stick.”

The short answer: Yes! We are a clinic created by a mom, for moms. Your children are always welcome here.

We understand that finding childcare can be a major barrier to getting the care you need. At Pelvic Rehab Pocatello, we don’t want you to choose between your health and your baby’s needs.

A Space Where Motherhood is the Norm Because we specialize in pregnancy and postpartum recovery, motherhood is the heartbeat of our clinic. We know that being a mom doesn’t stop when you walk through our doors:

  • Real Life Happens: If your baby needs to be fed, changed, or held during your session, we simply adjust. We are completely comfortable with the “interruptions” of motherhood showing up during a treatment session—in fact, we expect them!

  • Your Comfort is Key: While many moms find they can relax more when they come solo, we will never discourage you from bringing your child. Whether they are sleeping in a carrier, playing on the floor, or need to be in your arms, we move at the speed of your life.

  • A Safe Environment: Our treatment rooms are private, quiet, and designed to be a safe haven for both you and your little one.

We are here to support your healing journey in the context of your real life. If that includes bringing your baby along, we are more than happy to have them.

The short answer: You are never the “wrong age” for healing. Whether your issue started six months ago or sixty years ago, your body is capable of change.

At Pelvic Rehab Pocatello, we have treated patients ranging from newborns to 103. We hear it all the time: “I’ve just lived with this for so long, I assumed this was just my ‘new normal’.” We are here to tell you that “common” is not the same as “normal.” Pain, leakage, and restricted movement do not have an expiration date on treatment.

Why it’s never too late:

  • Your Nervous System is Plastic: Your brain and nerves are constantly communicating. Even if you have been “bracing” against pain for decades, we can use gentle techniques like NRT and Craniosacral therapy to teach your nervous system that it is finally safe to let go.

  • Scar Tissue & Fascia: Tissues like surgical scars (from C-sections, hysterectomies, or abdominal surgeries) can create tension patterns that last a lifetime. Even a 40-year-old scar can be released and reintegrated into the body’s movement, providing massive relief to the back, hips, and pelvic floor.

  • The “Compensatory” Effect: Often, the pain you feel today is just your body’s way of compensating for an old injury. By finding the root cause, we can unwind those compensations, no matter how long they’ve been there.

Real-World Success We recently worked with a patient who had suffered from chronic low back pain for over 40 years. She assumed it was just “old age.” After assessing her history, we realized the tension was linked to C-section scars from decades prior. Once we addressed that specific tissue and the “mirror tension” in her system, her back pain finally subsided.

You may be surprised how much progress your body can make in just a few sessions. If you are breathing, you are capable of healing.

The short answer: Yes. Pelvic health isn’t just a “postpartum” issue—it is a human issue.

There is a common misconception that pelvic floor dysfunction only happens after childbirth or with aging. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We frequently see teenagers who are struggling with pelvic health issues that are often dismissed as “growing pains” or “just part of being a girl.”

What Pelvic Dysfunction looks like in Teens: Because the pelvic floor is the base of the core and a “first responder” to stress, it can show up in a variety of ways:

  • Athletic Leaking: Leaking urine during gymnastics, cheer, dance, or running (stress incontinence).

  • Painful Periods: Debilitating cramps or pelvic heaviness that interferes with school or sports.

  • Intolerance to Internal Contact: Pain or “guarding” when attempting to use tampons or during initial gynecological exams.

  • Chronic Constipation: Persistent “holding” patterns that affect bowel health and core pressure.

  • Tailbone or Low Back Pain: Often linked to how the pelvic floor sits in relation to the spine.

Why it happens (The “High-Performance” Connection) Teenagers today deal with immense pressure—both physically and mentally.

  • The “Bracing” Pattern: High-level athletes or high-achieving students often live in a state of “constant core engagement.” This can lead to a “hypertonic” (overactive) pelvic floor that doesn’t know how to relax.

  • Mirror Tension: Stress from school and social life often shows up as jaw clenching, which “mirrors” directly into the pelvic floor.

The Importance of Early Support Addressing these issues early is about more than just stopping a leak; it’s about preventing injury and promoting body confidence. When a teenager learns how to regulate their nervous system and coordinate their pelvic floor with their breath, they improve their athletic performance and their overall well-being.

It is so important to have these conversations with our children. If your teen is experiencing these symptoms, specialized pelvic physical therapy can provide a safe, trauma-informed space to help them reconnect with their body and find relief.

The short answer: Yes, yes, and YES. In many countries, pelvic PT is the “standard of care” for every person who gives birth. We believe it should be the standard here, too.

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery (whether vaginal or Cesarean) are major physiological events. Yet, in our current healthcare system, the focus shifts entirely to the baby the moment they arrive. At the six-week checkup, most moms are briefly “cleared” to return to normal activity without a second thought.

The “Sprained Ankle” Reality Think of it this way: If you had a Grade 3 ankle sprain or a major orthopedic surgery, you would be sent to physical therapy for months to ensure you could walk, run, and jump safely again. A pregnancy and birth involve significantly more change to the muscles, nerves, and connective tissues of the core than an ankle sprain—yet moms are often left to navigate recovery on their own. We are here to change that.

What we assess in a Postpartum Session:

  • Pressure System Regulation: We look at how your breath, diaphragm, and pelvic floor are working together. This is the key to resolving “mummy tummy” (Diastasis Recti) and feeling “strong” in your core again.

  • Scar Tissue Integration: Whether it’s a C-section scar or a perineal tear, scar tissue can create “tugging” or tension that leads to back pain, hip pain, or discomfort during intimacy. We help mobilize these tissues so they move with your body, not against it.

  • Functional Movement: We help you navigate the “Mom-Athletics” of real life—lifting car seats, carrying toddlers, and returning to the gym without leaking, heaviness, or pain.

  • Pelvic Organ Support: We assess for any signs of prolapse (heaviness) and provide strategies to support your organs as your body heals.

A Clinic in “Mom’s Corner” The six-week checkup is a great start, but it isn’t enough. We move at the speed of your recovery, providing a safe, trauma-informed space where you can ask the questions that often go unanswered. Our goal is to help you heal quickly and fully, so you can stop worrying about your body and start enjoying your life with your new baby.

The short answer: No. While leaking is incredibly common, it is never normal. You do not have to just “live with it.”

In our culture, we’ve been told that wearing pads for “light bladder leakage” is just the “price you pay” for motherhood or getting older. This is simply not true. Leaking is a sign that your body’s internal pressure system is out of balance.

Why it happens: Think of your core like a soda can. When you sneeze, jump, or laugh, there is a sudden increase in internal pressure.

  • The “Lid”: Your diaphragm (breathing muscle).

  • The “Sides”: Your deep abdominal and back muscles.

  • The “Bottom”: Your pelvic floor.

If the “bottom” of that can isn’t coordinating correctly with the “lid,” the pressure has to go somewhere—and that’s when leaking happens. It isn’t necessarily that your muscles are “weak”; often, they are actually too tight or simply mistimed.

Common vs. Normal Many things are common (like the common cold or cavities), but we don’t accept them as “normal” or permanent. Just because your friends or sisters are experiencing the same thing doesn’t mean you have to.

The Good News: Because this is a coordination and pressure-management issue, it is highly treatable. We don’t just give you “Kegels” (which can actually make the problem worse if your muscles are already too tight). We look at how you breathe, how you move, and how your nervous system handles pressure.

Whether you are 6 months postpartum or 30 years past your last birth, your body can learn a new way to manage pressure. You deserve to jump on the trampoline with your kids or sneeze without a second thought. Don’t write off your quality of life as a “symptom of age.”

The short answer: By learning how to “yield” and open your pelvis, coordinating your breath, and training your body to relax under pressure.

Childbirth is perhaps the most athletic event of a person’s life. Just as you wouldn’t run a marathon without training, you shouldn’t go into labor without understanding how to coordinate your body’s “pressure system.” At Pelvic Rehab Pocatello, we help you move from a place of fear to a place of confidence and physiological skill.

Our Approach to Birth Prep:

  • The Power of Biofeedback: We use non-invasive biofeedback technology to give you a “window” into your own body. This “little machine” shows you in real-time whether your pelvic muscles are contracted or relaxed. This is vital because many people unknowingly “clench” when they try to push. By seeing the data on the screen, you can learn exactly how to let go.

  • Labor Positions for YOUR Body: Every pelvis is shaped differently. We use biofeedback and movement screening to find which positions (squatting, side-lying, hands-and-knees) naturally open your pelvic outlet. When you know which positions work best for your anatomy, you can advocate for yourself with confidence during labor.

  • The Jaw-Pelvis Connection: Remember, the jaw mirrors the pelvis! If you are clenching your teeth in pain, your pelvic floor will likely follow suit, making it harder for the baby to descend. We teach you “vocalization” and jaw-release techniques to keep the “bottom” open by keeping the “top” relaxed.

  • The “Piston” Breath: We teach you how to use your diaphragm and pelvic floor as a coordinated piston. Instead of the “purple-faced pushing” often seen in movies (which can cause tearing), we teach you how to “breathe the baby down,” utilizing your natural physiology to minimize trauma to the tissues.

Confidence is Key Our patients report feeling significantly more empowered before and during labor after this education. You aren’t just “hoping for the best”—you are walking into the room with a toolkit of positions, breathing strategies, and the neuromuscular “know-how” to work with your body instead of against it.

Yes. Despite the common misconception, everyone has a pelvic floor. We treat men for a variety of conditions including chronic prostatitis, pelvic pain, ‘hard flaccid’ syndrome, bowel dysfunction, and post-prostatectomy recovery. Pelvic floor tension in men often manifests as hip or low back pain that just won’t go away. Our trauma-informed, private 1-on-1 environment is a safe space for men to address these issues and regain their quality of life.

Don’t see your question?

We are always happy to chat. [Contact us] to see if we are the right fit for your story.

Welcome to our Pelvic Therapy Pocatello FAQ page. We know that seeking help for pelvic health, mirror tension, or airway issues can feel overwhelming. This page is designed to provide transparent answers so you can feel confident in your healing journey.