Physical Therapy for Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: How to Solve Incontinence, Pelvic Pain, and Complications from Pregnancy

For many women, the journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond can be riddled with challenges that affect their overall well-being. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the physical changes your body experiences during this time, especially with concerns like incontinence and pelvic pain. Understanding these issues is the first step toward regaining both comfort and confidence in your body.

Do you experience pain during sexual intercourse? Do you experience leakage of urine when jumping or sneezing? Do you have weakness or a separation in your abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti?

Although these issues are common, they are not normal and can be addressed by a pelvic floor physical therapist!

In this article, we will explore how specialized pelvic floor therapy can offer less invasive solutions, support your recovery journey, and improve your quality of life. By understanding the various aspects of pelvic health, from assessment techniques to the role of trained women’s health physical therapists, you will discover a roadmap to regain control and enhance your health. Let’s navigate this journey together with knowledge and compassion.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

Understanding the pelvic floor is crucial for women’s health, especially when considering issues like pelvic floor dysfunction and related conditions. The pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles that stretch like a supportive sling from the pubic bone to the tailbone. These muscles play a vital role in bladder control, bowel function, and sexual health.

When the pelvic floor is functioning well, it helps in maintaining urinary continence, supports pelvic organs, and contributes to core stability. However, factors like pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and certain medical conditions can weaken these muscles, leading to issues such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Understanding these connections can help women recognize symptoms and seek appropriate care.

Physical therapy offers a range of non-invasive treatments, such as exercises, manual therapies, and electrical stimulation, to strengthen the pelvic floor. These interventions can significantly improve quality of life and help women regain control over daily activities. If you’re experiencing pelvic floor issues, remember that it’s completely normal to seek help. Reaching out to a qualified physical therapist can be the first step toward recovery and improved health.

Common Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions Include

• Constipation
• Pain During Sex
• Diastasis Recti
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse: due to lack of support from the pelvic floor muscles, pelvic organs can bulge into the vagina
• Anal Incontinence: struggling to control when you pass gas
• Fecal Incontinence: struggling to control bowel movements
• Urinary Incontinence
• Stress Incontinence: peeing while laughing, coughing or sneezing.
• Urge Incontinence: feeling the frequent urge to urinate.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

A pelvic floor physical therapist can address these pelvic floor conditions and help to prevent them from happening. The first step is a thorough assessment. The physical therapist will gather information from you including your medical history, your symptoms, and will perform a detailed examination. Based upon the clinical findings, the physical therapist will develop a plan of care to address the source of the symptoms and create a customized plan focused on strengthening weak pelvic floor muscles and decreasing tension in tight muscles.

The Importance of Pelvic Floor Muscles

The pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in maintaining overall women’s health. These muscles support the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, and intestines, helping to ensure they function properly. Strong pelvic floor muscles contribute to better bladder and bowel control, reducing the risk of urinary and fecal incontinence.

When these muscles are weakened or dysfunctional, it can lead to conditions like pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, or even sexual dysfunction. This is often experienced during or after pregnancy, menopause, or due to other factors like obesity or aging. It’s important to pay attention to pelvic health, as it significantly impacts quality of life and daily activities.

Regular exercises, like Kegels, can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These involve contracting and relaxing the muscles as if stopping the flow of urine. Consistent practice can help improve muscle tone and prevent or alleviate symptoms of pelvic floor disorders. Consulting a physical therapist specialized in pelvic health can provide personalized guidance and treatment options for specific needs.

Goals of Physical Therapy for Pelvic Health

Physical therapy for pelvic health aims to address and manage symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction while restoring normal function. This non-invasive approach focuses on strengthening the pelvic muscles, improving muscle coordination, and reducing pain. With a customized plan, physical therapy can lead to better outcomes for women experiencing pelvic floor issues, positively impacting their everyday lives.

Restoring Muscle Function

One of the primary goals is to restore muscle function within the pelvic region. This includes exercises that target the pelvic floor muscles, enhancing their strength and flexibility. Techniques such as manual therapies and biofeedback may also be employed to improve muscle control and coordination. It’s about retraining these muscles to work in harmony with the rest of the body.

Improving Bladder and Bowel Control

Improving bladder and bowel control is a key focus of pelvic floor therapy. Specific exercises and strategies are designed to reduce symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence. This might involve bladder training techniques to increase the time between voids, alongside dietary modifications. Improved control can significantly decrease the anxiety and stress related to these conditions.

Enhancing Quality of Life

Ultimately, the aim of physical therapy for pelvic health is to enhance the overall quality of life. By managing symptoms effectively, individuals can resume daily activities with more confidence and comfort. Addressing issues such as pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction can lead to improved emotional and physical well-being, promoting an active and satisfying lifestyle.

Common Physical Therapy Treatments for Pelvic Floor

You’ve probably heard of a kegel or a pelvic floor muscle contraction. The kegel can be an appropriate exercise for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, however it is important to understand that kegels are not always the answer to pelvic floor dysfunction. A pelvic floor physical therapist can help you determine if the pelvic floor muscles are weak and need strengthening, or if they are tight and need to be down-regulated.

When kegel exercises are appropriate, it is important to understand how to perform the kegel correctly and get the most benefit out of it.
A pelvic floor PT may also use biofeedback to help you train or relax the muscles. Biofeedback uses painless sensors on the skin or intravaginally to create a mind-body connection with the exercise. As you perform pelvic floor muscle exercises for strengthening or relaxation, you will be able to see physiological changes in your body displayed on a screen, which your PT will explain to you. They’ll help you make subtle changes to improve how your body is functioning.

Pelvic floor physical therapy can include internal and external treatments, depending on the physical therapist’s education and training as well as the patient’s comfort level.

Role of Women’s Health Physical Therapists

Women’s health physical therapists specialize in addressing pelvic floor conditions and related health issues. They offer non-invasive solutions to improve the quality of life for women experiencing pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and other pelvic floor dysfunctions. These therapists create comprehensive, personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs, focusing on rehabilitation and prevention.

Training and Qualifications

Women’s health physical therapists undergo specialized training beyond their standard physical therapy education. This includes understanding pregnancy complications, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic girdle pain. They acquire skills in conducting internal exams, evaluating pelvic muscles, and implementing manual therapies and electrical stimulation for overactive bladders and similar conditions.

Establishing Trust and Communication

Establishing trust with patients is key to successful treatment outcomes. Women’s health physical therapists prioritize open, empathetic communication, ensuring patients feel heard and understood. They encourage questions and foster a supportive environment where women feel comfortable discussing sensitive pelvic health concerns. This approach helps in crafting effective treatment strategies that align with the patient’s comfort and aspirations.

Maintaining Progress Beyond Therapy Sessions

Maintaining the progress you’ve worked hard for during therapy sessions is crucial for long-term success. We understand how important it is to feel like you’re making steady gains in your pelvic health. By integrating what you’ve learned into your daily routine, you can continue to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, manage symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Remember, consistency is key!

Home Exercise Programs

Developing a home exercise program is a practical way to keep your momentum going. Think of it as your personal training session guided by what we’ve worked on together. Exercises might include pelvic floor muscle contractions, gentle stretches, and breathing exercises that can be comfortably incorporated into your daily activities. Start with short sessions, and gradually increase as you feel more confident.

Setting Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals is fundamental to sustaining motivation and seeing measurable progress. We know setting goals can seem daunting, but don’t worry. Break down your recovery targets into smaller, achievable milestones. For example, aim to hold a pelvic contraction for a few seconds longer each week. Celebrate these victories, as they serve as stepping stones toward your ultimate wellness goals. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

By following these strategies, you not only reinforce what you’ve learned in therapy but also empower yourself to take charge of your physical health journey. If you have questions or need further clarity, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

FAQs

It’s understandable to have several questions regarding pelvic floor therapy and how it can improve your health. Let’s address some common questions to help you feel informed and supported on your journey.

How long does the therapy process take?

The duration of pelvic floor therapy varies for each individual, depending on the severity of the condition and personal goals. Generally, people attend therapy sessions weekly or bi-weekly, with the total process ranging from a few weeks to several months. Progress often depends on how consistently individuals engage with exercises and lifestyle changes recommended by therapists. Remember, small steps build to meaningful outcomes, and it’s important to celebrate improvements along the way.

Are there any risks associated with pelvic floor therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy is generally safe and focuses on enhancing function without surgery. However, like all treatments, it comes with minimal risks. Some may experience temporary discomfort during exercises or an internal exam, but therapists are trained to adjust techniques to ensure your comfort. It’s important to communicate openly with your therapist about any concerns, so they can tailor the therapy to your needs and ensure a positive experience.

The Bottom Line…

The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to improve the quality of your life. Pelvic floor therapists understand how frustrating pelvic floor dysfunction can be. A lot of women do not seek treatment due to the assumption that these issues are common and just part of being a woman.

Imagine how it would feel to no longer have pelvic pain or experience incontinence during your daily activities. Physical therapy can help you achieve that. We want to get your muscles performing properly so they can do their job, and you can get back to living your life.

If you’re suffering from any pelvic floor dysfunction or are pre/post-partum, give one of our pelvic floor physical therapists a call. And remember, you can head straight to PT without a referral in most cases.
For more information and a list of clinics that offer pelvic floor physical therapy, click here.