Pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) is a treatment that helps women with pelvic pain, incontinence, and other bladder problems. It includes body awareness and training, diaphragmatic breathing techniques, and strengthening exercises that address musculoskeletal issues.

Some PTs also use biofeedback sensors to measure muscle contraction. This technique is a gentle way to help you voluntarily control your pelvic muscles and can be effective in improving bladder function.

Ask Questions

If you’re new to pelvic floor physical therapy, it can be a little overwhelming. But, like picking out a restaurant, it’s essential to understand each therapist’s style and approach.

Pelvic health issues affect millions of women yearly – from bowel and bladder changes to pain during sexual intercourse or even prolapsed organs. This can be due to pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, or the normal aging process.

In addition to the external treatments a physical therapist can use (such as deep tissue massage, skin rolling, and trigger point therapy), they also have training in internal pelvic floor evaluation and treatment. This involves assessing the strength, tone, tenderness, and elasticity of your pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues by inserting their gloved finger into your vagina or rectum to perform manual assessment techniques and treat painful areas as needed.

If you feel uncomfortable about internal exams, please let your therapist know so they can make alternative plans for your visit. The goal is to be comfortable, relaxed, and as effective as possible during your therapy.

Be Honest

Many patients find it difficult to speak openly about their pelvic floor issues. Whether it is a chronic condition, such as diabetes, or an emotional issue like anxiety, talking about these issues can be triggering.

However, patients need to be honest with their pelvic floor physical therapists to get the most out of treatment. Being upfront with your PT will help ensure they have the right questions.

In addition, being honest about your symptoms and goals with your PT will help them provide you with the best possible care. Pelvic floor physical therapists are highly trained and will take the time to listen to your concerns and questions about your condition.

Your PT will start by evaluating your pelvic floor and surrounding areas based on your history of symptoms. Next, they’ll look for any restrictions contributing to your pain and incontinence, such as a scar from previous surgery or episiotomy. If necessary, they’ll also do an internal examination to assess the muscles.

Be Flexible

When dealing with pelvic floor issues, it’s a good idea to be flexible when working with your therapist. This is because some problems require multiple sessions before you see significant improvement.

During the initial assessment, your therapist will take your medical history, perform an orthopedic exam of your spine, hips, and pelvis, and ask you to move in specific ways to evaluate for issues related to joint dysfunction or posture. They will create an individual treatment plan with various exercises and manual techniques to strengthen or relax your pelvic muscles.

Strengthening the pelvic muscles helps to prevent your core from weakening and impacting bowel and bladder function, sexual function, and overall spinal stability. These are all vital aspects of healthy living.

The best way to get started is to visualize an interlacing sling resembling a fan, allowing for your hips and spine flexibility. This awareness will help you correctly perform exercises targeting muscles properly.

Be Patient

Those who experience pelvic floor dysfunction often report pain and discomfort in the back, hips, abdomen, or lower leg. They also have problems with urination, sexual intercourse, and bowel function.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for pelvic floor muscle weakness, which can help patients return to normal function. It can also help prevent the future recurrence of symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and allow for a better quality of life.

The first appointment with your therapist will include an assessment, including your history and symptoms, and an internal exam of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. The exam will look for restrictions in mobility or movement, pain trigger points, and pain referrals to other areas.

Your therapist may use manual techniques like trigger point release, myofascial release, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, strain/counter-strain, and visceral mobilization. They may also use electrostimulation and biofeedback to improve their muscle movements.

Be Prepared

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a great treatment option for pain and dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. It helps reduce reliance on medications, stress on the ladder and bowel, and improve the overall quality of life.

IApelvic floor physical therapist will take a detailed history of your symptoms and complaints. During your initial assessment, They will also perform an orthopedic exam, evaluating the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, and pelvic floor muscles.

The therapist will insert one or two gloved fingers into your vagina or rectum to palpate your pelvic floor muscles from the inside. The therapist will use this information to identify any tightness or tenderness contributing to your pain or discomfort.

The therapist will then teach you how to do various exercises that can stretch and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, and they can also show you breathing and timing techniques. They can also use techniques like nerve release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage (myofascial release), skin rolling, and joint mobilization to relieve the pain and tension in your pelvic floor.