Pelvic Floor symptoms have long been dismissed by medical providers and society. Phrases like, “You’re a mom now, that’s what happens,” or “This is just what you should expect as you get older,” have long hidden pelvic floor symptoms from getting the treatment they need. Symptoms such as urinary leaking with coughing, sneezing, or dare I say, the trampoline park? Other symptoms can include pain with intimacy, pelvic pain during pregnancy or postpartum, chronic constipation, or constantly visiting the bathroom due to feeling like you are never truly empty.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) can address these symptoms and find the root cause that may be contributing to these common, but not normal symptoms. By restoring mobility, flexibility, strength, breathing mechanics, and pressure management, all these factors can come together to help people feel free to participate in all activities, without the pelvis causing any repercussion.
In this post, we’ll explore five common conditions that PFPT can help address and how it can enhance your overall health and wellbeing.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support organs such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum. These muscles play a crucial role in functions such as bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and support to the core muscles, spine, pelvis, with a significant role with breathing mechanics. When these muscles become weak, tight, or dysfunctional, it can lead to a range of issues that affect daily life. Luckily, PFPT can work with these impairments and give individualized exercise programs to fit the needs of people experiencing one or multiple pelvic floor symptoms at any given time.
5 Common Issues Addressed by PFPT
- Urinary Incontinence
One of the most prevalent issues addressed by PFPT is urinary incontinence. Incontinence is described as the inability to control the bladder.
Most common is stress incontinence, or urinary leaking with coughing, sneezing, laughing, pushing, pulling, lifting or any other movement that places stress upon the bladder. Other types of incontinence include urgency, or difficulty getting to the bathroom on time. PFPT can help by understanding why the leaking is happening in the first place. Sometimes tissues in the pelvic floor are not activating properly, have poor coordination, muscle weakness, or too much tissue tension and things are too tight and/or restricted. By addressing factors such as posture, breathing, and movement mechanics, leaks can be a thing of the past.
- Pelvic Pain
Pain in the pelvis can have several different causes including conditions like pelvic floor dysfunction, vulvodynia, pelvic instability, pubic symphysis instability, pain related to endometriosis or habitual breath holding mechanics. Pelvic floor physical therapy can address these conditions and help bring pain relief and overall better function to the area. Treatment may include manual therapy techniques, techniques to reduce tension in pelvis and abdomen, breath work, and rib cage mobilization. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and restore function.
- Sexual Dysfunction
Both men and women may experience sexual dysfunction related to pelvic floor issues.
Symptoms typically present as pain during intimacy and intercourse, difficulty achieving orgasm, or pain with orgasm or after completion of intimate acts. PFPT can help address underlying muscular and neurological factors contributing to these issues. Pelvic Floor specialists can use treatment techniques to help restore muscle coordination, reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and improve the experience of being intimate with a partner.
- Constipation and Bowel Disorders
Problems with bowel movements, such as constipation or fecal incontinence, can often be attributed to pelvic floor dysfunction and can be improved with PFPT techniques that focus on improving muscle coordination, relaxation, and digestion. Usually, a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist may address hydration, lifestyle considerations, or fiber intake options. These adjustments can make a big difference outside of treating potential abdominal and pelvic tension, poor breathing mechanics, and proper function of musculature with being able to fully, and voluntarily evacuate.
- Pre- and Post-Natal Care
Pregnancy and childbirth can strain the pelvic floor muscles, leading to issues like diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), pelvic pain, muscle weakness, or pelvic organ prolapse. During pregnancy and postpartum recovery, PFPT can help prevent or treat these issues. Specific strengthening and breathing techniques can help stabilize and rehabilitate weakened muscles. Postnatally, therapists work to restore pelvic floor strength and function, assisting in recovery from childbirth and preventing long-term issues such as incontinence or pain.
As you can see, pelvic floor muscles play a role in a multitude of different bodily functions we experience every day. Luckily, PFPT can help with these symptoms and offer a solution to help individuals regain control, reduce pain and improve overall quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with incontinence, pelvic pain, or postpartum recovery, PFPT can be the key to living more comfortably.
Pelvic health PT for better health and wellness.
Pelvic health physical therapy addresses the unique musculoskeletal problems of the pelvic floor that can have a significant impact on quality of life. Our goal is to improve your function, decrease your pain, guide you on your journey and get you back to the things you love.
