What is Pelvic Health PT and Why Do You Need One?

Author: Dr. Kaylee Simmerman

Note: This blog is specific to Pelvic Floor PHYSICAL THERAPY. Please note that there are specialists whom are also Occupational Therapists.

Introduction:

In the realm of physical therapy, there's a lesser-known but incredibly vital specialty that deals with the pelvic floor – a group of muscles that often goes unnoticed until problems arise. Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is gaining recognition for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of issues, from pelvic pain to urinary incontinence. In this blog, we'll delve into what PFPT entails and why you should consider seeking the expertise of a pelvic floor physical therapist.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor:

First and foremost, let's unravel the mystery of the pelvic floor. This hammock-like structure consists of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues situated at the base of the pelvis. Its primary functions include supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, and rectum), maintaining continence, and facilitating sexual function. Despite its critical role, the pelvic floor often remains overlooked in traditional medical assessments.

We also say anyone who poops, pees, or procreates has a pelvic floor and EVERY BODY deserves pelvic floor therapy.

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Unfortunately, typical physical therapy education does not require pelvic health education so it is crucial that you find someone who took time to specialize.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized branch of physical therapy that focuses on assessing and treating dysfunctions within the pelvic floor muscles while also taking into account how your body functions with the pelvic floor. These dysfunctions can manifest in various ways, including pelvic pain, urinary or fecal incontinence, painful intercourse, and pelvic organ prolapse. During a PFPT session, a trained therapist utilizes a combination of manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, and education to address the specific needs of each patient.

Reasons to Consider Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:

1. Addressing Pelvic Pain: Pelvic pain, whether chronic or acute, can significantly impact your quality of life. PFPT aims to identify the underlying causes of pelvic pain, which may include muscle tension, inflammation, or nerve irritation. Through targeted exercises and manual therapy techniques, pelvic floor physical therapists can help alleviate pain and restore normal function.

Types of pelvic pain we see are: vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, vaginismus, clitoral pain, and more.

2. Treating Urinary and Fecal Incontinence: Leakage of urine or stool can be embarrassing and distressing. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers non-invasive strategies to improve bladder and bowel control by strengthening weak pelvic floor muscles and teaching behavioral techniques to enhance continence.

We can also treat constipation or retention of urine!

3. Preparing for Pregnancy and Childbirth: Pregnancy and childbirth place significant stress on the pelvic floor muscles. PFPT can help expectant mothers prepare their pelvic floor for labor and delivery, reducing the risk of complications such as perineal tears and pelvic floor trauma. Postpartum, pelvic floor rehabilitation can aid in the recovery process and address any lingering issues like pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence.

4. Enhancing Sexual Health: Sexual dysfunction, including pain during intercourse or difficulty achieving orgasm, can be related to pelvic floor dysfunction. By addressing muscle imbalances and improving pelvic floor function, PFPT can contribute to a more satisfying and pain-free sexual experience.

5. Managing Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs descend into the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. PFPT offers conservative management strategies, including pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle modifications, to alleviate symptoms and prevent further prolapse progression.

Conclusion:

Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in addressing a wide range of pelvic floor dysfunctions, from pain and incontinence to sexual dysfunction and prolapse. By seeking the expertise of a pelvic floor physical therapist, you can embark on a journey toward improved pelvic health and overall well-being. Don't let pelvic floor issues hold you back – consider PFPT as a proactive step toward reclaiming control over your body and your life!

Here, at The HOPE Doctors, we take a Holistic approach to truly trying to determine what the root cause of your symptoms are. It’s important that we utilize our background in orthopedics to first check structure and function of the body as a whole, then we dive into the specialty of pelvic healthcare. 

We are unique in the sense of offering true one on one care, tailored programming for you, access to your Doctor between sessions, and so much more.

We hope to serve you soon!