What is Pelvic floor Physical Therapy?

Model of the pelvic floor.

Model of the pelvic floor.

Why physical therapy?

Physical therapy commonly treats muscles, joints, nerves, weakness, pain, and functional movements. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that span across the bottom of the pelvis. Like any muscle, they can become weak, stretched, tight, spasmed, and/or painful. When they are not functioning well, they are not able to contract or relax fully when needed. Pelvic health physical therapy restores the ability of the pelvic floor to perform its main functions. This specialty is also known as pelvic floor physical therapy.

The pelvic floor:

  • supports all body movements as the bottom of the core muscles

  • supports the abdominal organs and abdominal pressures

  • is involved in sexual function

  • allows or stops the elimination of urine, feces, and flatulence

  • pumps pelvic lymphatic drainage

Comprehensive list of symptoms treated:

  • Incontinence

    • stress urinary incontinence (SUI): leaking any amount of urine with activity

    • urinary urge incontinence: leaking any amount of urine accompanied by a strong urge

    • fecal (bowel) incontinence

    • bed wetting

    • giggle incontinence

  • Constipation

    • difficulty passing stools

    • hemorrhoids and anal fissures are a sign of constipation

    • stool withholding (also known as stool hoarding)

    • dyssynergic defication (difficulty coordinating how to push out poop)

  • Prolapse (grade I)

    • often described as a heaviness or feeling of something falling out of the vagina

  • Sexual Function

    • pain or muscle tightening with penetration

    • pain or discomfort with arousal

    • pain or discomfort during or after climax

    • erectile dysfunction

    • premature ejaculation

  • Pelvic Pain Diagnoses

    • dyspareunia, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, pelvic congestion, etc.

    • vaginismus

      • reflexive muscle tightening associated with vaginal insertion (sex, tampon insertion, pelvic exams, etc.)

    • neuralgias including pudendal, Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal, and genito-femoral

  • Symptoms following abdominal or pelvic surgeries

    • hysterectomy, C-section, prostatectomy, hernia repair, etc.

  • Pelvic floor and abdominal pain due to neighboring organ systems

    • such as with IBS, IC, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, etc.

  • Associated orthopedic pain

    • low back, pelvis, hip, sacroiliac joint (SIJ), tailbone, groin, and abdominal pain

    • due to shared muscle and tissue connections

  • Pregnancy

    • sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain, pubic symphysis pain, pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, low back pain, hip pain, leg pain, and pelvic pain

    • constipation, prolapse, and incontinence

    • abdominal doming/coning/tenting

    • tailored exercise

    • birth and postpartum preparation

  • Postpartum

    • cesarian section, episiotomy, and perineal scarring

    • sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain, pubic symphysis pain, pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, low back pain, hip pain, leg pain, and pelvic pain

    • constipation, prolapse, and incontinence

    • diastasis recti

    • recovery and safe return to exercise

  • Menopause

    • pelvic pain, prolapse, painful intercourse, and incontinence

    • associated with vaginal atrophy and vaginal dryness

 
 

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