When the pelvic floor muscles become weak, overactive and tight, or dis coordinated, they are unable to function optimally. The inability to perform can impact all of the functions of the pelvic floor. The following challenges are examples of diagnoses that often have pelvic floor muscle involvement:
- Tailbone pain
- SI/Low back pain
- Postpartum perineal pain
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Endometriosis/Adenomyosis
- Prostatitis
- Vulvodynia/Vestibulodynia
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Dyspareunia/Painful Sex
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Diastasis Rectus Abdominis
- Bladder leakage
- Difficulties with urination
- Urinary urgency &
- frequency
- Constipation
- Difficulty emptying bowels
- Bowel leakage
- Genital pain
- Abdominal pain
- Pelvic pai
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialty area focusing on evaluating and treating the musculoskeletal and behavioral aspects of conditions within the abdomen and the pelvis. The pelvic floor muscles sit within the pelvis, running from the pubic bone to the tailbone, and are involved in bladder and bowel function, sexual function, organ support, and postural stability. These muscles work together with the deep abdominal muscles, low back muscles, and respiratory Diaphragm to play a critical role in the spine and pelvic support and stability throughout all aspects of movement.
What happens in physical therapy?
Your first appointment will include a comprehensive examination tailored to your specific problem. Your appointment could consist of a full-body movement screen, postural assessment, specific tests of the abdomen, low back, and hips, and examination of the pelvic floor muscles. Based on the patient’s needs, pelvic floor muscle examination can be performed externally or internally via the vaginal or rectal canals. Treatment is individualized but could include: specific myofascial and manual therapy techniques, exercises to improve mobility or postural stability, analysis of exercise performance or work ergonomics, custom behavioral education regarding bowel, bladder, and sexual health, Surface EMG biofeedback training, and much, much more! For more information on how Sweetwater Hospital Physical Therapy can help you, visit www.sweetwaterhospital.org