Pelvic floor

Pelvic floor physical therapy for women

What pelvic floor physical therapy is, what it can help with, and what to expect.

1. 1History and examA detailed history and an examination of how your pelvic floor muscles function. An internal evaluation is only done with your permission.
2. 2TreatmentBiofeedback, bladder and bowel training, manual therapy, core strengthening, posture work, and relaxation techniques.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

As physical therapists, our expertise lies in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders. The pelvic floor muscles, located in the bottom portion of your pelvis, can be injured, weak, or tight, and can cause pain or dysfunction like any other muscles in your body. Through a detailed history of your condition and an examination of how your pelvic floor muscles function, the physical therapist can help you restore optimal function. An internal vaginal or rectal evaluation may be performed with your permission to evaluate the function of the pelvic floor muscles.

What is unique about pelvic floor muscles?

Pelvic floor muscles have a big job in maintaining the health and function of your spine and pelvic organs. They help maintain urinary and fecal continence, improve sexual stimulation, and protect your spine and pelvic organs against excessive loading and injury. Because these muscles are connected through nerves to your bladder, colon, and uterus, they can influence these organs. Sometimes, when pelvic floor muscles are not working properly, symptoms of pain and dysfunction can arise in these organs, and often the pelvic floor muscles are overlooked.

What conditions can be helped?

• Urinary urgency and frequency
• Urinary and fecal incontinence
• Organ prolapse
• Bladder pain conditions
• Painful menses
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Constipation
• Painful bowel disorders
• Post-childbirth pain or weakness
• Pain with intercourse
• Vulvar pain disorders
• Tailbone pain
• Hip and sacroiliac joint pain
• Recovery after gynecological or urological surgery

What types of treatment will I receive?

Treatment can include:

• Pelvic floor muscle retraining with biofeedback
• Bladder and bowel training
• Manual therapy to the pelvic floor, hip, low back, and abdominal muscles
• Scar tissue release
• A core strengthening program
• Posture and body mechanics
• Relaxation and pain management techniques