Benefits of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. That may be a new concept to some of you. To others, it may sound familiar, but you’re not sure what it means or how it can help. To a few of you, this may be a good reminder to finally seek the care your body needs. 

Pelvic health or pelvic floor physical therapy has been gaining traction in the health & wellness sphere over the last several years. It also has been slowly building its presence in recent research and literature, which is crucial for healthcare professionals to be able to provide effective and evidence-based care. 

Let’s talk about what pelvic health physical therapy is, the conditions it can address, and why you may benefit from it. 

For all the men reading, if you still are, this can apply to you too. While the focus of pelvic health is often directed toward women, especially around pregnancy and postpartum, men can have pelvic floor dysfunction as well.

First, let’s talk about the pelvic floor.

What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue at the bottom of the pelvis which work to support the pelvic organs, manage pressure, transmit forces to lift, move, and run, aid in sexual function, and maintain bowel and bladder control. 

However, when things go wrong, pelvic floor physical therapy can help manage symptoms and restore proper function of the pelvic floor. Treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction focuses on:

  • Building strength of the pelvic floor muscles

  • Utilizing relaxation techniques

  • Increasing coordination and flexibility in the pelvic floor

  • Improving bowel and bladder control

  • Helping you return to normal activities and exercise

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Common conditions of pelvic floor dysfunction are often attributed to either weak, tight and overactive, or uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor dysfunction may develop due to injury, trauma, childbirth, menopause, surgery, obesity, other chronic health conditions, or genetics. Conditions that benefit from pelvic health physical therapy include:

  • Pelvic pain

  • Urinary or fecal leaking (in daily life or exercise)

  • Chronic constipation

  • Frequent urination

  • Painful intercourse or other sexual dysfunction

  • Pain in low back, hips, groin, or sacroiliac joint (SIJ)

  • Pubic or tailbone pain

  • Diastasis Recti

  • Hernias

  • Pelvic organ prolapse (bladder, uterus, or rectum fall from normal position)

If you have been diagnosed with or are experiencing any of those conditions, it is time to start pelvic health physical therapy!

What to expect in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Your physical therapist will perform a thorough examination to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help strengthen, relax, or improve the coordination of your pelvic floor muscles. In addition, we will work together to ensure that you are able to return to all your daily activities and exercise without worrying about pain, leaking, or heaviness in your pelvic floor!

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Physical therapists are movement experts with deep knowledge of muscle, joint, and nerve function. Pelvic floor physical therapists have additional knowledge in pelvic floor function and are ideal healthcare providers to help you navigate and effectively address pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help you:

  • Alleviate pelvic and other pain

  • Regain control of bowel and bladder control

  • Improve sexual function

  • Increase core strength and coordination for lifting and life

  • Return to exercise and activities of daily living without fear of leaking, heaviness, or pain

  • Maintain, or even improve, fitness through pregnancy and postpartum

  • Improve emotional wellbeing through both pelvic and physical health

If you want to learn more about how pelvic floor physical therapy can help you, schedule a consult call with Dr. Melissa to discuss your story and determine next steps.

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