An Overview of Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment of the Pelvic Floor

Original Editor - Jess Bell based on the course by Ibukun Afolabi
Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Kim Jackson, Tarina van der Stockt, Carin Hunter and Nupur Smit Shah

Clinic Environment

Before discussing the actual assessment and treatment of women’s pelvic health patients, it is useful to consider the environment where you will be conducting your sessions.

Where possible, it is important to be mindful of the clinic environment. The treatment setting has been shown to have an impact on a client’s health outcomes. The physical environment can help a client feel relaxed, safe and empowered or, conversely, feel stressed, threatened and tense. For instance:

• Daylight and windows have been shown to reduce fatigue and depression. Where this is not possible, indoor plants, aquariums, or artwork with a nature theme can help to reduce stress
• The colour scheme can also have an impact:
  • Blue and green can promote relaxation and balance
  • Yellow and orange can energise or activate a space

For more information on evidence-based design in healthcare settings, please have a look at the following articles:

• Environmental needs, barriers, and facilitators for optimal healing in the postoperative process: a qualitative study of patients' lived experiences and perceptions
• A review of the impact of physical environmental factors on users
• Creating optimal healing environments in a health care setting