Pelvic Floor Therapy
In this special guide on pelvic floor therapy, we will share information regarding what your pelvic floor is and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction
Your pelvic floor is made up of a key group of muscles that span the bottom of the pelvis and helps support your pelvic organs. This group of muscles helps support and works with your bowels and bladder while also having a large impact on sexual function. Like so many other key muscles, keeping your pelvic floor healthy and strong can go a long way in determining your quality of life.
Problems related to your bladder, bowel, or sexual function can be due to pelvic floor muscles being too weak or too slow, and not having the strength, quickness, or control, to work well for you. Some causes of under-active pelvic floors can be related to pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, chronic constipation, or prostate cancer surgery. Some signs that you might have an under-active pelvic floor include bowel or bladder incontinence (leaking), the prolapse of an internal organ, or pain.
Weakness is not the only cause of pelvic floor dysfunction- You can also have problems with your pelvic floor if they are working too hard, or overactive. This can affect women who have not had children, women with painful periods, or endometriosis. This can affect men who have pelvic pain or chronic prostatitis. Some symptoms of an overactive pelvic floor for all genders can be pain with sex, pain or issues initiating flow with urination, urinary incontinence, bowel pain and/or constipation.
Many women AND men can benefit from pelvic floor interventions. Just like any other orthopedic injury that can occur, this specialty in physical therapy can help strengthen, stretch and help relieve pain in the pelvic floor. Remember: Pelvic pain is common, but it is not normal and can be treated!
POSTPARTUM CHECKLIST
- Concerned about diastasis or abdominal separation?
- Is sex painful or feel different after 6-8 weeks of healing time?
- Are you leaking urine or feces at any time?
- Have back pain with standing or lifting?
- Feel pressure in your vaginal area with bowel movements, lifting or with prolonged standing?
- Noticed any bulges when wiping or with squatting down?
- Feeling weakness in your legs even without much activity?
- Experiencing any uncertainty about resuming exercise safely?
- Feeling back pain with standing
- Do you have scar tissue from a C-section, episiotomy, tear or even another surgery and are unsure if you need to work on it or how to do that?
In this special guide on pelvic floor therapy, we will share information that is geared towards moms and moms-to-be.
If any of these symptoms are interfering with your confidence, ability to do the things you want to, or causing any stress or concerns, Myokinetix would love to help. There is no reason to suffer, worry or struggle when skilled help is available. Call now for a free phone consult to see if we are a good fit to work together!
WHAT HAPPENS DURING PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY?
EVALUATION
Our team begins with a thorough evaluation of your health and wellness. We review your medical history and symptoms. To gather more information about your needs, we might ask questions about:
- Pregnancy and childbirth history
- Menstrual cycle-related symptoms
- Diet-related symptoms
- Medical history
- Medications and supplements
- Urinary and bowel habits
- Sleep habits and hygiene
- Exercise and sports
- Past injuries or pain
- Other treatments and surgeries
We also provide a physical assessment as part of your evaluation. Depending on your symptoms and other factors, the physical part of your evaluation could include:
- Posture assessment
- Movement assessment
- Special tests, such as assessing if stress on the pelvic girdle, back, or hip increases the pain
- Strength testing
- Palpation of the affected and related areas
We might also ask you to collect some information before your next appointment. Depending on your symptoms, our physical therapists could request:
- Diary of voiding habits including urination and bowel movements
- Food diary
- Gathering of tests such as MRIs or procedures
TREATMENT
Following your evaluation, your therapist creates your customized treatment plan. We aim to help you change behaviors that could be contributing to your condition, correct your posture, and heal your body. Your pelvic physical therapy program could include:
- Massage
- Myofascial release
- Scar massage
- Joint mobilization
Visceral mobilization
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Functional movement re-education
- Relaxation programs
- Postural re-education using Gravityfit
- Biofeedback to retrain the pelvic floor
- Electric stimulation for pain relief and muscle retraining
You will also be provided with educational information and support to help you change behaviors and habits that could contribute to or exacerbate your condition.
HOMEWORK
A series of exercises and stretches will be given to you to practice at home to maintain your progress between appointments. Retraining your body takes time and practice. Doing a little work every day helps you reach your goals and develop habits that will keep your pelvic floor normal.
Your condition will be evaluated at every appointment and treatment is adjusted as needed to ensure you’re moving toward relief, home management, and eventual discharge.
We can also share your evaluation and treatment notes with your other physicians to enhance coordination with your healthcare team. In many cases, severe or chronic conditions require multimodal treatment from several different providers.