Coral Currents Episode 6: Why Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy Matters

When most people hear “pelvic floor therapy,” they think of adults—often women recovering from childbirth. But in my latest Coral Currents conversation, physical therapist Sheryl Chaney reminded us that kids need this care, too. And when they don’t get it, they can silently suffer.

Cheryl has spent over 30 years specializing in pelvic health, and in Episode 6 she shines a light on what pediatric pelvic floor therapy really is—and why so many children are missing out on it.

We talked about the kinds of challenges kids face: daytime incontinence, bedwetting, constipation, or pain that seems mysterious but is actually tied to the pelvic floor. Too often, parents assume these issues are behavioral, when in fact they’re physiological. “It’s not that kids are being defiant,” Cheryl explained. “Their bodies simply need help.”

What struck me most was how approachable and even playful Cheryl makes therapy for kids. From teddy bears and balloons to “dinosaur time” breathing, she turns what could feel like an embarrassing or clinical experience into something safe, fun, and effective. As she put it: “Play is therapy.”

We also dug into the bigger picture: how pediatric pelvic floor PT is often overlooked. Cheryl estimates that far more children could benefit, but referrals simply aren’t happening because many providers don’t even know it’s an option. That’s why this episode is about awareness—for pediatricians, OTs, PTs, SLPs, teachers, and parents alike.

Some takeaways surprised me. Did you know that 5–7 million children in the U.S. struggle with bowel or bladder dysfunction? Or that snoring and airway issues can actually contribute to bedwetting? These insights underscore how important it is to take a whole-child, team-based approach.

As Cheryl emphasized, pelvic floor PT is non-invasive, often brief (just 6–8 sessions), and can completely change a child’s quality of life. From giving kids the confidence to attend sleepovers without fear, to helping families let go of shame, this therapy restores both function and dignity.

If you’re a parent, a therapist, or a provider who works with kids, I can’t recommend this conversation enough. It’s one of those episodes that might change the way you see a problem you thought you understood.

👉 Listen to Coral Currents, Episode 6, with Cheryl Chaney, PT— and help us spread the word about pediatric pelvic floor therapy.