What is Pelvic floor Physical Therapy?
Model of the pelvic floor.
Why physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy focused on the muscles, joints, and nerves of the pelvis and core.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that spans the bottom of the pelvis. Like any other muscles in the body, these muscles can become weak, tight, overactive, painful, or uncoordinated. When this happens, they may have difficulty contracting or relaxing when needed.
Pelvic floor physical therapy helps to restore strength, mobility, coordination, and awareness, so these muscles can support daily function comfortably and effectively.
Why Physical Therapy for the Pelvic Floor?
Physical therapy commonly treats muscles, joints, nerves, pain, and functional movement throughout the body. The pelvic floor is no different.
When pelvic floor muscles are not functioning well, they can contribute to symptoms such as pain, leakage, pressure, or difficulty with bowel, bladder, or sexual function. Pelvic health physical therapy addresses these issues by treating the pelvic floor as part of the whole system, not in isolation.
This specialty may also be referred to as pelvic health physical therapy or pelvic floor physical therapy.
The Role of the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor plays an essential role in the body by:
Supporting the spine and whole-body movement as part of the core
Supporting the pelvic and abdominal organs
Managing abdominal pressure during movement and breathing
Contributing to sexual function
Allowing and controlling elimination of urine, stool, and gas
Assisting with pelvic lymphatic and circulatory flow
Pelvic floor physical therapy is appropriate for all genders and across the lifespan, and care is always tailored to your comfort, goals, and pace.