Healing After a Perineal Tear: How Pelvic Floor PT Can Help You Recover Fully
If you’ve experienced a perineal tear during childbirth, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to recover alone, either.
Tearing is extremely common (especially during first-time vaginal deliveries), but that doesn’t mean you should “just deal with it” or be left wondering what’s normal and what’s not. Whether you had a small tear or a more significant one, pelvic floor physical therapy can help you heal fully, reduce lingering symptoms, and feel more confident in your postpartum body.
First, What Is a Perineal Tear?
The perineum is the area between the vaginal opening and the anus. During vaginal birth, this area may stretch or tear as the baby is delivered.
Tears are typically categorized into degrees:
1st-degree: minor tear through the skin
2nd-degree: tear through the skin and muscle (most common)
3rd- and 4th-degree: more extensive tears that involve the anal sphincter or rectal lining
Tears may be repaired with stitches shortly after delivery, but that doesn’t mean the healing process is over. Scar tissue, muscle trauma, and lingering tightness or discomfort can stick around—sometimes silently, sometimes very noticeably.
Common Symptoms After a Perineal Tear
You might experience:
Pain or burning around the scar
A feeling of pulling or tightness
Discomfort during intercourse (pain with penetration or feeling "stuck")
Sensitivity or numbness around the perineum
Difficulty with bowel movements or fear of tearing again
Feeling disconnected from your pelvic floor
Even if your OB or midwife says you’re “healed,” if you’re still having any of these symptoms—pelvic PT can help.
How Pelvic Floor PT Supports Recovery After a Tear
We create a safe, personalized space to help you fully recover and reconnect with your body. Here's how we support you:
Scar Tissue Mobilization
We gently assess and treat the scar to reduce adhesions, improve circulation, and increase mobility. This helps decrease pulling, discomfort, and sensitivity around the area.
Education on What’s Normal (and What’s Not)
We walk you through what healing should look and feel like so you can stop guessing. We’ll also explain how to care for your body long-term—especially if you’re planning more children in the future.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehab
Tearing can lead to overactive, tight, or weakened pelvic floor muscles. We help restore coordination, length, and strength—without making things worse or causing discomfort.
Pain-Free Return to Intimacy
We address any pain with penetration, fear around sex, or changes in sensation so you can feel safe and confident in your body again. Yes—this is something we talk about, and it’s 100% okay to ask for help.
Bowel & Bladder Support
If you’re dealing with urgency, leaking, or fear of going to the bathroom, we’ll help retrain those systems, too—especially if the tear was close to the rectal area.
It’s Not Just Physical—It’s Emotional, Too
Recovering from a tear can bring up fear, frustration, or even grief if your birth didn’t go the way you hoped. We hold space for your experience and treat you as a whole person—not just a pelvic floor.
What Makes Us Different
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we offer:
One-on-one care with a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist every visit
Hands-on, trauma-informed treatment tailored to your specific tear and symptoms
A compassionate environment where your story is heard and your questions are answered
Referrals to mental health therapists, sex therapists, and other local providers if you need more support—because that’s what real healthcare should look like
Learn more about what makes us different here.
You Deserve Full Recovery—Not Just “Good Enough”
Whether your tear was recent or years ago, it’s never too late to get support. Healing is possible.
📍We’re located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and we’d love to help you feel strong, comfortable, and at home in your body again. Schedule your initial evaluation today or reach out if you have any questions! You don’t have to go through this alone.
