A Guide to Pelvic Floor Therapy: Who Needs It? Why? And How?
If you have ever peed just a little after sneezing, or if pain during intercourse has become the norm, you may want to consider pelvic floor therapy. Unfortunately, dysfunctions "down-below" caused by childbirth, aging, or other medical conditions are not openly discussed and are often the source of embarrassment or shame.
But ensuring your pelvic floor is healthy is vital to supporting your bladder and bowels. And a healthy pelvic floor can also make sex much more enjoyable. Never heard of pelvic floor therapy? Or are you just curious about how it all works? Don't worry; we've got it covered. Here is your guide to pelvic floor therapy and what to expect during treatment.
What is Pelvic Floor?
Your pelvic floor contains a group of ligaments, muscles, tendons, and connective tissue that supports your bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. These muscles play a key role in maintaining bladder and bowel health since they hold these organs in place. Your pelvic floor muscles are also vital to your reproductive health since they support your uterus and vagina. Unfortunately, these muscles can become strained during pregnancy and after birth, especially if labor is long or difficult.
Symptoms like pain or discomfort not only impact your health but can decrease your overall quality of life. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, about 20 percent of people in the United States suffer from pelvic pain. And this condition is much more common in women. But pelvic floor therapy can help to restore your strength, flexibility, and function and get you back to your everyday activities.
Ok, so what's involved with Pelvic Floor Therapy?
With pelvic floor physical therapy, you will work with a healthcare provider, most often a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health. Your therapist will complete an assessment and create a treatment plan to improve your symptoms. Therapy sessions are customized and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of your issue.
Who is a good candidate for pelvic floor therapy?
The truth is everyone is a potential candidate for pelvic floor therapy if you have ever experienced discomfort anywhere between your belly button to your knees. "It's not uncommon for women to need pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy or after birth. This is when concerns about bladder or sexual function usually arise," states Dr. Juan Michelle Martin, a physical therapist, and owner of a practice specializing in total pelvic care. Martin also notes that children and men can benefit from pelvic floor therapy to address bed-wetting, erectile dysfunction, or related issues.
What can a client expect during a therapy session?
So, each therapy session is tailored to your individual needs. Still, your first sessions generally will start with a comprehensive consultation where your healthcare provider will ask you questions and get to know you, your symptoms, and your health concerns. Then, to better address your needs, you will provide a detailed medical history, including information about other treatments you may have received. You may also complete a movement assessment where your therapist will evaluate the quality of your pelvic functioning. You can also expect your therapist to perform an external physical exam and an internal evaluation (when appropriate). Finally, your specialist will talk to you about the findings, potential outcomes, and care plan. Be sure to take notes and ask questions if there is anything you don't understand.
Your initial assessment is just the first step of your therapy. You can expect to work towards achieving goals at each additional session using a variety of techniques as recommended by your therapist. This may include:
· Pelvic floor exercises: You will learn to contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can stretch tight muscles, strengthen weak ones, and improve flexibility. You may also learn breathing and timing techniques to improve the overall effectiveness of the exercise.
· Manual therapy: Your physical therapist may use hands-on massage or stretching to help improve posture, blood circulation, and mobility.
· Pelvic floor biofeedback: Biofeedback is a technique that helps you "see" how your pelvic floor muscles are working by inserting a probe into your vagina and displaying the results on a computer screen.
· Electrical stimulation: Using a low voltage electrical current, you will learn to coordinate your muscle contractions.
· Vaginal dilators: These tube-shaped devices can help you learn to relax your pelvic muscles to allow for easier penetration.
What are the benefits of pelvic floor therapy?
Honestly, there are so many! Pelvic floor therapy can help to improve bladder and bowel control, addresses pelvic, hip, and back pain, and may enhance sexual satisfaction. In addition, Dr. Martin explains that pelvic floor therapy can help during pregnancy and address concerns during postpartum recovery and healing. A 2020 study in the Cochrane Database Systemic Review reports that pregnant women who performed pelvic floor muscle training before giving birth had a lower risk of urinary incontinence late in pregnancy. The study also noted that women who participated in pelvic floor muscle training exercises before giving birth decreased their risk of urinary incontinence three to six months after giving birth.
How can I find a Physical Therapist Who Specializes in Pelvic Floor Therapy?
There are so many amazing specialists who can help improve your symptoms and functioning. Reaching out to your midwife, primary care provider, or gynecologist is often the easiest way to connect with a pelvic floor specialist. You can search directories like: www.pelvicguru.com, www.mypelvicfloormuscles.com, or www.pelvicrehab.com to find experts too. Also, consider asking a girlfriend or others in your circle. They may know a great clinician in your area. Finally, a quick Google search may produce local results if all else fails.
Peace of Mind
You shouldn't have to go through life with back pain, unstable hips, or painful sex. Instead, seek out the services of a pelvic floor therapist to help you engage in your favorite activities once again feeling more confident and empowered.
Janelle King is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Public Health. She has written articles for Sisters from AARP, The Body: The HIV/AIDS Resource, Modern Fertility, among many others, and featured in Women's Day Magazine. You can find her writing about reproductive health and wellness in her blog The Nurse Note in her spare time. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @thenursenote.