Improving Your Pelvic Health with Tips from a Physical Therapist

If you have been experiencing pain in the low back or pelvic region, or if you have issues with incontinence or constipation, you may have pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is made up of soft tissues and muscles that provide support for the pelvic organs, which include the bladder, rectum, prostate, and uterus. When these muscles do not function as they should, this causes issues with the organs, and this can lead to a variety of unwanted symptoms.  

Pelvic Support Suggestions

There are numerous causes of pelvic floor dysfunction. These include childbirth, pelvic surgery, pelvic trauma, overuse of the pelvic muscles, and aging. Symptoms of dysfunction may include:

Frequent urination

Fecal or urinary incontinence

Chronic constipation

Pain with urination

Unexplained low back or pelvic pain

Straining to go to the bathroom

If you are experiencing any of these, you may want to try physical therapy. There are various ways that PT can help the pelvic floor, whether it is improving coordination, relaxing the muscles, or strengthening the muscles.

Typical pelvic floor physical therapy is different than PT for knee injuries or shoulder rehabilitation. During the first session, the physical therapist will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history, and then will conduct a thorough exam of the area. Based on the results, he or she will design a treatment plan made up of a variety of methods.

Manual Therapy

At Tobler physical therapy, manual therapy is commonly used to help treat pelvic floor dysfunction. This consists of using manual pressure to release trigger points or loosen up tight soft tissues. Pelvic floor issues do not always stem from the pelvic region, so manual therapy may occur in the abdomen or low back as well as the pelvic area.

Biofeedback

If lack of coordination is an issue, your physical therapist may use biofeedback to improve your contraction and relaxation of the muscles used when you go to the bathroom.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation may be used if there is a lack of activation of the associated muscles.

Dry Needling Therapy

If your therapist cannot release trigger points manually, he or she may use dry needling therapy. Fine, thin needles are inserted into trigger points, which restores function and reduces discomfort. 

Strengthening for Pelvic Wellness

Another common method to restore function in the pelvic floor is pelvic floor exercises. Unlike strengthening the muscles of the arms or legs, pelvic floor exercises consist of subtle moves to strengthen the smaller muscles that control the pelvic floor.

Common exercises that your physical therapist may recommend and demonstrate include squeezing and releasing, Kegels, squats, bridges, and planks. During the initial phases of treatment, your therapist will recommend the best exercises, so that you do not further weaken the muscles. Exercises you should avoid include lifting weights that are too heavy, sit-ups with your legs straight up in the air, and double leg lifts.

Not every physical therapist has experience working with pelvic floor clients. If you are a PT who has the knowledge and skills, search for physical therapy jobs near me.