P.E.I. pilot program will give some Islanders access to free pelvic floor physiotherapy

Physiotherapist Monate Praamsma (standing) works with Nadia Germain, a mother of two, on exercises to help with her pelvic floor health in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

A new pilot program on Prince Edward Island will provide pelvic floor physiotherapy for Islanders that are under insured or have no insurance coverage.

Nine physiotherapy clinics across P.E.I. with physiotherapists who have specialized training and authorization will participate in the program and provide treatment for the following pelvic floor conditions:

- urinary incontinence

- emptying disorders of the bladder

- faecal incontinence

- emptying disorders of the bowel

- pelvic organ prolapse

- chronic pelvic pain

- sexual dysfunction

The province says pelvic floor physiotherapy is the gold standard of care for many pelvic floor conditions.

It’s been proven to improve quality of life, reduce the risk of chronic conditions and, in some cases, eliminate the need for surgery.

“This program will allow us to support and provide important care for a largely unrecognized and under-served patient population by leveraging the expertise of existing, highly trained pelvic floor physiotherapists across our Island communities,” said Sheila MacMurdo, president of the PEI Physiotherapy Association, in a news release.

“We strongly believe this initiative will reduce strain on our medical system by decreasing unnecessary referrals to primary care providers, urology, and gynecology and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to coordinate with government and Health PEI.”

The pilot program launched on Tuesday.

Eligible patients will receive an initial pelvic floor assessment and follow-up treatment sessions at no cost.

To qualify, patients must have a clinical diagnosis and a completed referral form from a physician or nurse practitioner.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.