Pelvic Health

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy addresses orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues that may result in bladder, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction. Often, patients will require pelvic floor strengthening for weak muscles or pelvic floor relaxation/down training for tight or overactive muscles.

The Pelvic Floor

Everyone has a pelvic floor. It is made up of muscles that support your trunk, control urination and defecation, and play a role in sexual function. A healthy pelvic floor allows you to be in control of your bathroom habits, enjoy sexual activity, and build a strong core.

Women : the pelvic floor keeps your bladder in place in front of the vagina and rectum in the back. Your uterus is held in place at the top of the pelvic floor by muscles, tendons and connective tissues.

Men: the pelvic floor helps keep the bowels, bladder, urethra and rectum in place.

The pelvic floor muscles attach to your tail bone and pubic bone

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What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

When you have pelvic floor dysfunction, your pelvic muscles/floor may have difficulty relaxing or working together. Pelvic floor dysfunction may lead to:

  • Urinary or fecal leakage Frequent/urgent need to relieve your bladder/bowels
  • Constipation
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pelvic/rectal dysfunction
  • Pelvic/groin pain
  • Pain during sex
  • Diastasis Recti

What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction can be complicated and include multiple factors. Potential triggers may include:

  • Aging
  • Pregnancy
  • Overuse of pelvic muscles
  • Serious injuries to pelvic, groin and/or abdominal areas

Do I Need Physical Therapy for Pelvic Health?

Take our short quiz below. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, you may want to set up a 30-minute consultation with one of our experts.

  • Do you leak urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze or exercise?
  • Do you ever have to rush to the bathroom?
  • Are you pregnant or postpartum?
  • Do you have any bladder, bowel or sexual health concerns?
  • Do you have any pelvic, groin or abdominal pain?

What Should You Expect For Your Pelvic Health Physical Therapy?

When you begin your pelvic floor therapy, first you’ll do an evaluation. Your physical therapist will complete a thorough evaluation that includes assessing overall movement patterns, strength, and tissue/joint restrictions that are often related to pelvic floor concerns.

The physical therapist will explain the details, benefits and potential risks of an external and/or internal pelvic floor assessment. Informed consent is of the utmost priority and the patient always has the right to refuse or stop an assessment or treatment

What Are The Goals for Pelvic Health Physical Therapy?

  • Relieve symptoms and get back to your daily routine.
  • Develop a personalized and easy-to-follow plan of care.
  • Provide the tools/information you need to continue your progress after physical therapy.

FAQ

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy addresses orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues that may result in bladder, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction. Often, patients will require pelvic floor strengthening for weak muscles or pelvic floor relaxation/down training for tight or overactive muscles. A Pelvic Health Physical Therapist will evaluate the patients’ needs with a thorough external and/or internal assessment of the pelvic floor. 

Treatments for pelvic health conditions depend upon the evaluation. Treatment options will depend on the individual and the specific symptoms.

Generally, patients can expect to see changes in their symptoms within two weeks of consistent work and treatment,  while more profound healing can be achieved after four to six weeks of therapy.

 Treatment time varies depending on the protocol.

 Patients typically will experience improvement in pelvic floor function 3-4 weeks following strength training, and most people can expect to see results within a few weeks of Pelvic Floor PT.

 

No, you are not the only one with this problem. One in seven 18-50 year old women experience chronic pelvic pain at some point in their life, and there are a multitude of women who seek help from pelvic floor clinics

On the first visit with a pelvic floor therapist at MindBodyPT, one can expect to provide a patient history, have an observation and palpation of the back, pelvis, hips, abdomen and pelvic floor, and possibly an internal exam. The therapist may also ask for a kegel, cough, or bearing down. The initial consultation fee at MindBody PT is $75.00

We recognize that Pelvic Health is a personal topic. We use our consultation time to review your case. We DO NOT do an internal exam unless necessary and will do so only with your explicit permission. During this exam, we follow all protocols to ensure your safety, trust and privacy.

Physical therapy for pelvic health can provide a range of benefits, including improved sphincter control, support, sexual function, stabilization and sump-pump, relief from urinary leakage (incontinence), frequency, urgency, pain, difficulty stopping or starting urinating and difficulty fully emptying the bladder, and relief from conditions such as painful urination, constipation, back pain, pelvic muscle spasms, pelvic pressure and pelvic pain. Pelvic floor physical therapy also helps to improve core strength

 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-5189474

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There are many ways to improve your Pelvic Health. At MindBody PT we practice Physical Therapy for Pelvic Health improvements. There are a number of exercises that can be done for Pelvic Health. Under the guidance of an expert PT, you can  improve pelvic health. Some exercises include:  Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles,  wall squats quick flick Kegels, marches, heel slide], Happy Baby Pose,and diaphragmatic breathing.

 Additionally, avoiding constipation by consuming ample fluids and fiber and exercising regularly is recommended.

 

During the external and/or internal pelvic floor assessment, your pelvic health specialist may: 

  • Assess the STRENGTH, ENDURANCE, and COORDINATION of your core muscles/pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is the bottom of the “core”. The therapist will check your core muscles that includes your pelvic floor muscles
  • Assess the integrity of surrounding tissues, muscles and other structures. 
  • Assess for pain, discomfort, or tenderness.

Want to learn more?

Please reach out and we will set up time with you for an evaluation.

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