Pelvic floor therapy may conjure up images of performing Kegel exercises, a sort of fitness routine for your pelvic muscles. However, this field encompasses much more.
The focus of pelvic floor therapy is to mend the operations of your pelvic floor - an assembly of muscles that regulate bowel movement, bladder operation, sexual and postural activities. This is according to Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, a physical therapist based out in Los Angeles specializing in this area.
Lack or improper function (denoted as pelvic floor dysfunction) can result in various symptoms which can disrupt day-to-day tasks causingsignificant inconvenience.
In our conversation with specialized therapists who tend to the needs related with the pelvic-floor-related disorders provided insights into what indications could suggest possible dysfunction. It might be beneficial seeing a specialist if any such warning signs become apparent.
1. Experiencing Leakage while Laughing, Sneezing or Coughing
A crucial functionality of your pelvic floor is to provide bladder support. If it works optimally, then urinary leakage should not occur.
On the other hand, if there are instances when you have a sudden discharge (akin to slight urinating) during laughing bouts, sneezes, coughs or jumps, this could potentially indicate a feeble pelvic floor.
Most commonly associated with symptoms such as stress incontinence or urinary disorders is indeed a weakened pelvic floor structure according to National Association for Continence.
With an approach centered around evaluating the flexibility and strength of your specific muscle groups situated within the pelvic area alongside their ability to swiftly respond towards various jerky motions like jumping and laughing on cue provides insight about one's overall health condition concerning the same. This marks Jessica Chellsen's (DPT), California-based private therapist specializing in therapy of physical nature centering specifically on rehabilitating pelvis aligned muscles.
Jeffcoat strongly suggests that it would be unwise decision making if one were to overlook even minute amounts of frequent urinary leaks – despite how nominal amount-wise they may appear at once.
Dismissal tendencies overlooked by individuals preemptively conclude such scenarios as measurable outcomes post pregnancy phase eventually leading upto elderhood stage quite frequently. However virtually very often Jeffcoat opines added examples aligningly along similar reasons referring back upon significant leaps already encountered from previous mentions related cases calculated over time through incorporating regime maintenance activities based alignment mappings marked for these significant underlying concerns directly linked as triggers conformated mainly surrounding prominent issues sourced via muscular irregularities per se grounded beneath which significantly helps excluding any potential shortcomings thereby avoiding lifetime reliance upon absorbent pads customarily designed curbing escalated levels experienced furtherance from incontinence.
2. Discomfort During Sexual Intercourse
Discussions on sex are frequently considered off-limits, however, if you suffer from any agony or discomfort while having sex, it's crucial that your physiotherapist knows about this and there is the possibility they can assist!
*"The issue of painful intercourse is frequently disregarded as a woman's fear or concern about penetration," explains Jeffcoat. But there might be a medical reason at the root level.
Vaginismus, prevalent in instances of painful intercourse happens when involuntary tightening occurs within the vagina making even tasks like tampon insertion or enduring a pelvic examination without distress or pain harder according to Cleveland Clinic.
"Tense pelvic floor muscles could also serve as an explanation for the uncomfortable sexual activity" says Chellsen.
A specialist in pelvic floor therapy has several techniques to unwind these strained muscles such as breath control techniques and stretches under their purview along with manual therapeutic intervention which may offer relief from tension in your pelvic floor muscles.
Frequent Need for Bathroom Visits
A commonplace sign of pelvic floor malfunction is the constant need to urinate. It's understandable considering your bladder is held in place by your pelvic floor muscles; thus any problems with these muscles can manifest as issues related to urination.
At times, the urge to relieve oneself may become so forceful that reaching a restroom could prove challenging.
This sensation may give you an impression that you have a small bladder or perhaps you've ingested substantial liquid amounts. However, even being well hydrated should not cause bathroom visits more than every two to four hours during daytime, according to Kari Hough, DPT, who runs her own physical therapy practice in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Pelvic floor-focused physical therapy can guide one towards reprogramming their bladder and associated muscle behavior using various methods,” says Dr. Hough.
Amongst her suggested techniques are maintaining a record of your bathroom visits (termed as 'bladder diary') and practicing specific exercises targeting the pelvic floor muscles.
4. Discomfort and Pains During Pregnancy and Postpartum
It's common for individuals to find out about pelvic floor therapy after childbirth, but Hough emphasizes that the treatment can provide relief from symptoms experienced during pregnancy as well.
"Pregnant women often have to deal with various aches and discomforts, and pelvic floor physical therapy is incredibly helpful in easing these pains," she states.
Utilizing pelvic floor therapy while pregnant may assist with managing backaches, hip issues, urinary problems, amongst other things. The method might also lower risks of vaginal laceration, urinary inconsistency and Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), according to a review conducted in April 2021 by Medicinalink.
Pelvic floor specialized therapists are proficient in offering services such as perineal massage, preparing the pelvic floor muscle groups for birthing process along with techniques for pushing whilst going through labor combined with effective positions during child birth which could better outcomes shares Hough.
She urges those who are expecting or have recently given birth - especially if they're facing weakened abdomen or pelvic muscles- to continue pursuing pelvic flooring therapies post-delivery."
This therapy provides restoration of any strained function of the muscles found within your pelvis usually resulting from giving birth", says she.” It's crucial not forget about how taxing it can be on female body undergoing pregnancy leading into delivery itself; restoring health completely may even take several months."
5. Experiencing Pelvic Discomfort, Heaviness or Bulging
Experiencing pelvic discomfort can necessitate a visit to a specialist focusing on the pelvic floor, particularly if it becomes long-lasting and hinders your day-to-day activities. While medicinal and surgical interventions are available for treatment, physical therapy is also an advisable way of tackling this issue according to Cleveland Clinic.
There can be numerous reasons behind constant pelvic discomfort as per Jeffcoat's explanation which include endometriosis among others. Often chronic pelvis-related pain is overlooked by associating it strictly with uterus issues but in cases like endometriosis the affected individual suffers from daily pain occurrence. "Endometriosis needs addressing as a long-standing painful condition and physical therapists dealing with such pain management should always be included", advises Jeffcoat.
One may often perceive unusual sensations around the pelvis region that could potentially signal towards POP(Pelvic Organ Prolapse), points out Chellsen. Early signs may comprise feelings of heaviness or bulging within one's pelvis . "When one or multiple organs related to our pelvis ( bladder, bowels or uterus) deviate their usual position causing a protrusion into the vaginal wall -that's called POP" , explains Chellsen.
While Kegel workouts aid in improving symptoms associated with POP; incorrectly performed exercises might exacerbate the situation states American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Hence rather than making attempts alone at home while dealing with these symptoms, guidance should be sought from trained therapists specializing in treating conditions affecting the pelvic floor.
6. Issues with Bowel Movements: Constipation or Fecal Incontinence
Just as urinary incontinence is an implication of pelvic floor weaknesses, fecal incontinence too can indicate the need for pelvic floor therapy. It's characterized by an inability to control bowel movements leading to inadvertent stool leakage.
Training your pelvic floor muscles can provide strength to the anal sphincter muscles thereby helping alleviate issues of fecal incontinence, according to an October 2020 review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
Also, irregular and infrequent bowel movements could suggest problems with the pelvic floor. Here 'irregular' varies from person-to-person but constipation generally pertains to having less than three weekly bowel movements or experiencing difficulty while expelling stools; this description comes courtesy of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
People often complain about sensation like they're unable clear their bowels entirely or that their stools are hardened - likened unto small pebbles sometimes, shares Hough based on her experience.
She also highlights how tense pelvic floor muscles may impede smooth passage during defecation. "The strain felt when passing out stools might be due to these tensed up muscles," she suggests.
Pelvic Floor Therapy plays a critical role here assisting relaxation which could potentially help improve symptoms related to problematic bowels such as constipation.
Locating a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Are you considering pelvic floor therapy but unsure about approaching it? Utilize one of these extensive online directories to find a local pelvic floor physiotherapist:
