My story
Hi, I'm Karen.
I’m Karen Chychul – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and owner of Thrive Pelvic Health. I was born and raised in London, Ontario and attended Western University, where I pursued degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology, graduating in 2007. Following that, I continued my academic pursuit at Queen's University, earning a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in 2011.
I currently live in Norfolk County with my husband, Steve, our 1.5-year-old daughter, Abigail, and our two beloved dogs, Hank and Caddy. I love to stay active, cook, garden, be by water, and get outdoors as much as possible.
With over 12 years of experience as an Orthopedic Physiotherapist, I've had the privilege of working with individuals of all ages, addressing a wide range of injuries and conditions. However, my deep-seated passion has led me to focus exclusively on the realm of women's pelvic health.
Thanks for being here!
The birth of my daughter in March 2022 was challenging to me in ways I never expected. While I was prepared for the sleepless nights, the baby's crying, and the constant cycle of diaper changes and feedings, what caught me off guard was how it would affect my own body and mental well-being during the postpartum period. I initially believed that I should just go with the flow, as women give birth every day and seemingly manage just fine. However, I soon realized that while we do "get through it," there are proactive steps we can take to prepare ourselves and regain control of our bodies. This applies not only during our teenage years, pregnancy, and postpartum phase but also as we transition into menopause and beyond.
I firmly believe that we should not simply accept issues like pelvic pain, incontinence, or prolapse symptoms as inevitable. My goal is to empower women to thrive in every stage of womanhood they find themselves in. I am here to offer support and guidance to help them achieve just that.
My Journey
Trust and Confidentiality. Pelvic health can be a topic that is difficult to talk about and highly emotional. It is my commitment to be trustworthy and to maintain your confidentiality in order for you to be comfortable sharing with me on your road to recovery.
Knowledge and Expertise - it is my promise to my patients to continue to stay up to date with ongoing education and evidence based practice to provide the best care and most successful outcomes possible.
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Compassion, understanding and holding space for all on their journey of healing.
our values
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frequently asked questions
No, you do not need to have a doctor’s referral to see a Physiotherapist. We are considered Primary Healthcare Providers which means no referral is needed. But it is important to check with your insurance company as many do require a doctor’s prescription in order to cover the costs.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is just a specialized area within Physiotherapy and therefore your insurance will cover the costs if you do have Physiotherapy coverage on your plan.
No we do not. For private benefits we provide you with a receipt and all the information you need to submit your claim online which is very simple to do and usually receive payment from the insurance company within a few business days.
I completely understand that this can be expensive and although the investment in your health is well worth it, it’s not always a possibility for everyone. In saying that there is so much benefit from even one to two sessions since education and a few important exercises can make a world of difference in your symptoms. Also, with this type of therapy, you will not require treatment multiple times a week. Usually we will meet once a week a few times and then treatments are quickly decreased to every other week or even monthly follow ups. I would say 6 sessions would be a good estimate for most pelvic health concerns if budget or insurance coverage is a concern.
Do I need a doctor's referral to come see you?
I have Physiotherapy coverage through my insurance plan but I don’t know if Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is covered?
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is just a specialized area within Physiotherapy and therefore your insurance will cover the costs if you do have Physiotherapy coverage on your plan.
No we do not. For private benefits we provide you with a receipt and all the information you need to submit your claim online which is very simple to do and usually receive payment from the insurance company within a few business days.
I completely understand that this can be expensive and although the investment in your health is well worth it, it’s not always a possibility for everyone. In saying that there is so much benefit from even one to two sessions since education and a few important exercises can make a world of difference in your symptoms. Also, with this type of therapy, you will not require treatment multiple times a week. Usually we will meet once a week a few times and then treatments are quickly decreased to every other week or even monthly follow ups. I would say 6 sessions would be a good estimate for most pelvic health concerns if budget or insurance coverage is a concern.
No, you do not need to have a doctor’s referral to see a Physiotherapist. We are considered Primary Healthcare Providers which means no referral is needed. But it is important to check with your insurance company as many do require a doctor’s prescription in order to cover the costs.
