Yes. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is covered under regular physiotherapy benefits. So if you have coverage for physiotherapy, this includes pelvic health as well. Most insurance companies do not differentiate services provided in-person vs online, but you can inquire with your provider to be sure.

No. You do not require a referral to be seen by a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. If you plan to use your extended health benefits to cover the cost of your visit, it is possible your insurance provider may require a doctor's referral.  

No! This is one of the biggest misconceptions about Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. "Kegels" refer to the voluntary muscle contraction of the PFM and can be very helpful (when done correctly*) for some people. However, in many cases kegels can make problems worse. A pelvic health physiotherapist can help identify the root issues of your symptoms and make suggestions for the types of exercises that will help you the most. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for pelvic health!

Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are still physiotherapists. They have graduated from an accredited physiotherapy university program and are licensed to work in their province or territory. The main difference is that "Pelvic Health" Physiotherapists have undergone additional post-graduate training specific to the pelvic floor. When you see a pelvic floor physiotherapist in-person, you will usually be given the option of an internal examination of your muscles (via vagina or rectum) to help identify issues in your pelvis. Virtual physiotherapy offers all of the same elements of treatment, without the hands-on techniques. Virtual assessments utilize additional questionnaires and subjective measurements to gain as much insight as possible and can be incredibly effective.  

Absolutely not. Men have pelvic floors too, and suffer from PFM dysfunction as well. The most common PFM problems among men include persistent pelvic pain (sometimes this is diagnosed as chronic non-bacterial prostatitis) and post-surgical bowel/bladder dysfunction. If you have undergone a prostatectomy (removal of the prostate), or have plans to undergo a prostatectomy, pelvic health physiotherapy is highly recommended to optimize PFM function and prevent or treat incontinence/other post-surgical complications.