A pelvic floor wand, often just called a pelvic wand, is a small, curved tool for massaging the muscles at the base of your pelvis. If you have seen one mentioned and are not sure what it is, or whether it is the same thing as the exercises you were once told to do, this page explains it plainly. It covers who uses one, how people use it, and when to ask a professional first.
In short: a pelvic floor wand is a curved, hand-held massage tool, often made of glass, that people use to gently relax tight pelvic floor muscles. It is not an exercise device and it does not run on electricity. Most people use it lying down in a quiet, private space, with the lightest pressure, ideally after a pelvic floor physiotherapist has shown them how.
What a pelvic floor wand is, and what it is not
The pelvic floor is the group of muscles that sit like a hammock at the base of your pelvis. A wand is a hand-held tool for massaging those muscles, either from the outside or, with care, from the inside. The aim is to ease tightness and let the area relax. That is a different aim from making the muscles stronger.
The difference matters. A wand is not an electric trainer, so there is nothing to charge or switch on, and it is not an exercise device. You do not squeeze it to build strength. If strengthening is what you are looking for, our beginner's guide to pelvic floor exercises explains how to find, train and relax these muscles.
A wand is also a personal wellness and massage tool, not a medical device. No medical claims are made for it, and it does not replace advice from your GP or physiotherapist.
Who uses a pelvic floor wand
Many people who use one live with pelvic floor tension. Some have interstitial cystitis, also called bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), and others have tightness after surgery. They choose a dedicated wand so they can work with these muscles gently, at their own pace, at home, without a clinic visit every time.
Pelvic floor physiotherapists use wands like this with their patients, and a physiotherapist may suggest that you continue the massage at home.
The Therawand was developed by Iliana Brockman, who has IC/BPS herself. Her physiotherapist told her she would do better if she also did massage at home. When she asked whether there was a tool for that, the answer was no, so she set out to make one. She also describes how tightness in the pelvic floor can feel as though the bladder condition itself is flaring. You can read her account in our Q&A with Iliana Brockman.
If you live with flare-ups, our calm routine for getting through an IC flare covers the wider picture of rest, warmth and gentle habits.
How a pelvic floor wand is used, step by step
These steps follow the way the Therawand's instructions describe use. They are general guidance, not a treatment plan.
- Get a first demonstration if you can. Ideally a pelvic floor physiotherapist shows you how to use it before you start alone.
- Find a quiet, private space and lie down. Most people find lying down the easiest position.
- Use a water-based intimate lubricant for internal use. It makes the glass glide more comfortably.
- Begin with the lightest pressure. There is no need to press hard.
- Move slowly towards areas of tightness or sensitivity. Slow, small movements are enough.
- Take as long as you need. There is no set time and nothing to achieve in a session. If anything hurts, stop.
Breathing slowly and steadily can make it easier to let the muscles soften. If you feel yourself bracing, pause and start again more gently.
Internal and external use, temperature, and why glass
The wand can be used internally (vaginally or rectally) and externally, including on the perineum, the area between the vaginal opening and the anus. Its curved shape is designed to reach the pelvic floor muscles comfortably from either position.
Temperature
You can use the wand in three ways:
- at room temperature
- cooled in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes
- warmed gently on a heating pad, never above 40 °C
Check the temperature on your inner wrist before every use.
Why glass
The wand described here is made of glass, not silicone. Its medical-grade borosilicate glass is non-porous and hypoallergenic, with a smooth, seamless surface, and it is free from latex and phthalates. Because the glass is non-porous, it does not absorb lubricants, and it is straightforward to clean thoroughly between uses.
Glass may sound fragile, but this glass is durable: it withstands over 23 kg of force. Both ends can be used, a slim end and a fuller, rounded end, so you can choose what feels most comfortable.
Cleaning, storage, and when to ask first
After each use, wash it with warm water and mild soap, or use wipes or an antibacterial cleaner, then dry it thoroughly. Keep it in its protective case, away from hard surfaces. Look at it before every use, and do not use it if it is chipped or cracked.
Please speak to a GP, pharmacist, physiotherapist or gynaecologist before you start if any of these apply:
- you have pain, or bleeding of any kind
- you have, or think you may have, an infection
- you are pregnant
- you have recently had surgery or given birth
- you are unsure whether it is right for you
See your GP promptly if you have a fever, blood in your urine, back or side pain, or discomfort that persists or gets worse. These can point to an infection rather than muscle tightness. Nothing here changes the medicines or care you have been given.
If you would like to see the wand this page describes: the EZMagic Therawand is a patented, curved pelvic floor massage wand of medical-grade borosilicate glass. It is 16 mm across, both ends can be used, and it comes with a protective case and instructions. It is a personal wellness and massage tool, not a medical device. You can see it on the EZMagic Therawand page, and more on this subject is in our pelvic and intimate wellness guide.
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