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MLHS Now Offers Women’s Health Physical Therapy
March 11, 2026
Women’s health concerns such as bladder leakage, pelvic pain, and postpartum weakness are more common than many people realize, yet they are often conditions women may feel uncomfortable discussing. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one in four women in the U.S. experiences a pelvic floor disorder. Despite how common these issues are, many women may not realize treatment options are available. The Rehabilitation Department at Mille Lacs Health System (MLHS) is now offering a new service aimed at addressing these issues through Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of rehabilitation that focuses on evaluating and treating the muscles and movement patterns of the abdomen and pelvic floor. These muscles work together with surrounding areas including the hips, low back, deep abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and lower extremities. The pelvic floor also plays an important role in bladder and bowel control, pelvic organ support, sexual function, and overall postural stability.
When these muscles are not functioning properly - whether due to weakness, tightness, or poor coordination - it can lead to what is known as pelvic floor dysfunction. This can result in a wide range of symptoms that may affect daily comfort, physical activity, and overall quality of life.
Physical therapy can help address conditions such as urinary incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency, constipation, bowel incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, and coccyx or low back pain. Some women may also experience painful intercourse, diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles), or discomfort related to pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Treatment plans are individualized based on each patient’s needs. Therapy may include guided exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and coordination of the pelvic floor, hips, abdomen, and lower back. Therapists may also provide manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue work or cupping to improve mobility and reduce discomfort. Education is another key component of care, helping patients develop healthy habits related to posture, bladder and bowel routines, and fluid intake.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can also be helpful before and after certain abdominal or pelvic surgeries. Therapy may focus on improving muscle awareness and coordination, managing pain, addressing scar tissue from procedures such as cesarean sections, and restoring functional mobility.
Care is provided by Kaitlyn Worth, PT, DPT. Worth graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from The College of St. Scholastica in 2019 and has worked in outpatient rehabilitation settings throughout her career, treating patients of all ages with a variety of orthopedic conditions. In 2023, she began specializing in women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Worth says her interest in this area of care was influenced by her own experience becoming a new mother. That experience helped inspire a passion for helping women who struggle with pelvic health concerns, including incontinence, pregnancy-related discomfort, and postpartum recovery challenges.
“I enjoy helping women learn that they don’t have to live with these issues,” Worth said. “Many patients are relieved to discover that there are treatment options available and that improvement is possible.”
Women’s health and pelvic floor physical therapy services are currently available for female patients and can support women at many stages of life, including during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and beyond.
Patients interested in learning more about pelvic floor therapy can speak with their healthcare provider about whether rehabilitation services may be appropriate for them.