Your pelvic floor consists of muscles and tendons that create a sling inside of your pelvis. When these muscles are too tight or weak, it can cause an array of symptoms, such as pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and incontinence.
Pelvic floor therapy is a form of physical therapy that focuses specifically on these pelvic floor muscles. A physical therapist will assess the pelvic floor muscles and create a personalized treatment plan to reduce symptoms, improve mobility, and strengthen the muscles. Treatment may consist of myofascial release, manual therapy, biofeedback/electrical stimulation, pelvic floor exercises, and aquatic therapy. Pelvic Floor Therapy is an effective way to restore your quality of life and improve your overall health and wellness.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Services
The main point of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is to evaluate dysfunction, strengthen the pelvic muscles, reduce discomfort, regain muscle control and improve quality of life. Your therapist will work with you to create an individualized plan that meets your personal goals. They may use a variety of methods and techniques, including:
• Manual Therapy– This uses massage, joint mobilization, and stretching to target areas of tightness or restriction in the muscles, ligaments, and joints around the pelvic area.
• Myofascial Release– This uses gentle stretching to relax and release tight muscles in order to restore balance and better range of motion.
• Biofeedback/Electrical Stimulation– This helps retrain weakened pelvic floor muscles by stimulating the nerves that control muscle function with electrical current.
• Pelvic Floor Exercise– This involves exercises designed to strengthen the pelvic muscles and improve muscle control.
Causes of Pelvic Floor Disorders
Doctors and scientists currently don’t completely know the cause of pelvic floor dysfunction. It is believed that the most common causes are a combination of physical, psychological, and emotional factors. Causes can include childbirth, age, injury or trauma to the pelvic area, medical conditions such as endometriosis or interstitial cystitis, bladder prolapse, and chronic constipation. Other contributing factors can include prolonged sitting/standing positions, heavy lifting, and more. Consider if you have experienced any of the following that may trigger pain and discomfort in the pelvic region:
- Recent pregnancy
- Pelvic injury
- Previous surgery
- Obesity or being overweight
- Overuse of muscles
- Pelvic strain
- Actively Aging & Menopause
- Connective tissues disorder
Pelvic floor dysfunction is more common in women than men and can sometimes be a result of pregnancy. Other factors contributing to developing pelvic floor pain include age, lifestyle, medical history, and genetics.
Common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can include:
- Difficulty going to the bathroom
- Frequent urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Lack of bladder control
- Constipation
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Difficulty sitting and/or walking
- Sexual dysfunction
- Organ prolapse
Your pelvic floor is crucial for proper function of muscles, tendons, and connective tissues surrounding the pelvic area. Pelvic floor dysfunction may not always be severe but it can produce painful symptoms that affect your ability to enjoy life.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is an effective form of treatment that can help you reduce your discomfort, improve mobility, and restore quality of life.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor dysfunction physical therapy is a technique that strengthens your muscles, and reduces pain in the pelvic area. Most pelvic floor therapy regimens involve some muscle-strengthening exercises to minimize discomfort and regain control.
All pelvic floor therapy treatments begin with a comprehensive evaluation from one of our medical professionals. The doctor will ask questions to determine what is wrong and what treatment regimens will be most effective.
Initial assessments may involve a mixture of questions and a physical examination of internal and external pelvic muscles. For example, the doctor might ask you to stand, sit, or walk and report what you feel. They may also ask about your family’s medical history.
Among other benefits, pelvic floor therapy can help with:
Incontinence
Weak pelvic muscles may not be able to control your bladder, which results in difficulties urinating. Physical therapists can assign exercises to strengthen bladder muscles so you can better control urination and defecation. Stronger pelvic floor muscles can also reduce the frequency of going to the bathroom.
Pain
One of the most common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction is a pain in the lower pelvis and groin region. Strengthening your pelvic floor via physical therapy exercises can reduce pain by strengthening muscles and reducing tension in tendons. Deep tissue massages can also stimulate endorphin production and work away muscle soreness.
Organ Prolapse
A prolapse occurs when an organ shifts out of its original position. Pelvic floor organ prolapses can feel like a heavyweight in your lower stomach as your bladder or rectum shift. Pelvic fFoor Physical Therapy can alleviate prolapsed organs by strengthening the smooth muscles and connective tissues holding organs in place.
Sexual Functioning
The pelvic floor is responsible for holding reproductive organs in both men and women, and pelvic floor dysfunction can cause significant pain and difficulties during sexual activity. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can strengthen muscles around reproductive and nerve structures to lessen discomfort during sex.
Core Strength
Many people with pelvic floor dysfunction have weak core strength in their abdomen. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy tightens up muscles, strengthening your core and back muscles. This can help support your spine, providing relief from low back pain and movement difficulties.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is an excellent way to strengthen pelvic muscles, reduce discomfort, and improve mobility. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, consider talking to a medical professional about physical therapy treatment that can bring relief and improved quality of life.