Good Questions
Everything you were wondering (and maybe afraid to ask).
Pelvic health can feel personal, even a little intimidating — so we've answered the questions people ask us most. No jargon, no judgment, just honest, straightforward answers. If you don't see yours here, we'd love to talk.
Getting Started
The basics
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized conservative treatment for the muscles, fascia, and nerves that support your pelvic organs. A trained physical therapist helps these pelvic floor muscles appropriately strengthen, relax, and lengthen using manual therapy, biofeedback, breathwork, and targeted therapeutic exercises. It addresses concerns like leaking, pelvic pain, postpartum recovery, and core weakness — treating the whole person, not just a symptom.
Pelvic floor PT may help if you leak urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or exercise, feel pelvic pressure or heaviness, have pain with sitting or intimacy, or are recovering from birth or surgery. Frequent urgency, lower-back or hip pain, and core weakness can also be related. If any of this sounds familiar, an evaluation can help clarify what's going on.
No. California is a direct access state where all patients can schedule an initial physical therapy appointment without a physician's referral. If your situation needs physician input, we'll let you know and help coordinate it.
Pelvic floor concerns affect all genders and every life stage, and Modern Core Health and Wellness welcomes every body.
Yes. We offer virtual pelvic health wellness consultations, including for clients located outside California. Virtual visits are a great fit for education, movement and breathwork coaching, home-program guidance, and follow-up support. Some concerns are best evaluated in person, so we'll always be honest about what virtual care can and can't address for your specific situation.
Your Visits
What it's actually like
Your first visit is a full hour, one-on-one with Dr. Macchi. We start by listening to your story, symptoms, and goals, then complete a thorough, comprehensive evaluation of your movement, strength, posture, and breathing patterns.See what to expect.
An internal exam can be a helpful part of pelvic floor assessment, but it is always optional and fully consent-based. Dr. Macchi explains every step before it happens, and there are effective external and movement-based approaches if you prefer not to have an internal exam. You set the pace and stay in control at every visit, and you can change your mind at any time.
Every session is a full hour, one-on-one with your Doctor of Physical Therapy — never rushed, never double-booked, and never handed off to an aide. This dedicated time is by design: it lets us assess carefully, treat thoroughly, answer your questions, and adjust your plan as you progress so each visit moves you forward.
It varies from person to person, since it depends on your symptoms, history, and goals. Many people feel meaningful relief within a few weeks and continue for a few weeks to a few months. After your evaluation, Dr. Macchi will give you an honest estimate and revisit it as you progress — the goal is always to help you graduate from care, not keep you coming back.
Pelvic health care can feel vulnerable, so we work diligently to ensure you feel safe, comfortable, and informed. Nothing happens without your consent, every step is explained, and there are no silly questions. Most people are surprised by how comfortable and approachable the visits actually feel.
Conditions
What we can help with
Pelvic floor PT can help with urinary incontinence and urgency, postpartum recovery and diastasis recti, pelvic pain, painful sex, pelvic organ prolapse, prenatal and birth preparation, and pain related to conditions like endometriosis and PMOS (formerly PCOS). Because the pelvic floor works with the core, hips, and back, we often address related orthopedic concerns too. You can explore all of these on our conditions page.
Yes — postpartum recovery is one of our core focuses. After birth, many people experience core weakness, abdominal separation (diastasis recti), heaviness, leaking, or pain. Pelvic floor PT helps you rebuild strength and coordination safely with a plan made for your body, whether you're six weeks or several years postpartum. It's never too late to get support.
Yes. Pain with intimacy, sitting, or daily activities is common and treatable, and you deserve to be taken seriously. Pelvic floor PT can address muscle tension, sensitivity, and coordination that contribute to pelvic pain, including pain related to endometriosis and PMOS/PCOS. We listen first, explain your options, and build a gentle, individualized plan to help you feel more comfortable.
Leaking urine is very common, especially after pregnancy, birth, or with age — but common does not mean you have to live with it. It's often related to how your pelvic floor muscles are working, and many people see meaningful improvement with the right care. "Just do your Kegels" isn't always the answer; a proper evaluation helps target what your body actually needs.
Insurance & Logistics
Payment, location & booking
Modern Core Health and Wellness is an out-of-network provider. We accept cash, HSA, and FSA payment, and we provide a detailed Superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Being out-of-network is by design — it means a full hour of focused, one-on-one care every visit. You can learn more on our insurance page or ask us before you book.
A Superbill is an itemized receipt with the codes your insurer needs to process an out-of-network claim. You pay for your visit, we provide the Superbill, and you submit it to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Many patients are reimbursed a portion of their cost once their out-of-network deductible is met, though the exact amount depends on your individual plan.
Yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy is typically an eligible expense, so you can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) card to pay for visits. If you'd like documentation for your records or your plan administrator, just ask and we're happy to provide it.
Modern Core Health & Wellness is located at 1513 6th Street, Suite 102, Santa Monica, CA 90401. We're convenient to Venice, Brentwood, Sawtelle, Pacific Palisades, West Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Century City, Culver City, and Malibu. Our space is private and calm by design, so you can focus on your care without feeling rushed or exposed.
We see patients Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We're closed on Sunday. Appointments are by scheduling so we can protect your full, private hour — reach out and we'll find a time that works for you.
Booking is easy. You can request a consult through our contact page or schedule directly through our secure JaneApp patient portal. You don't need a referral to get started in California, so you can take the first step today. If you have questions before booking, you're always welcome to call us at (424) 252-9424.
Still Have Questions?
Let's talk it through.
If your question isn't here, you're not alone — and we're glad to answer it. Book a consult with Dr. Macchi or give us a call. No question is too small.