What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and How Can It Help?

When we talk about health and wellness, a few of our body areas don’t get enough attention. The pelvic floor is one such area. It plays a key role in core strength and overall well-being. Issues with this region can affect daily life, including bladder control and posture. The good news is that pelvic floor physiotherapy can provide relief. It provides a solution to these issues and promotes better health and a higher quality of life. Let’s now understand in depth what pelvic floor physiotherapy is and how it can help heal you.
Signs of a Healthy Pelvic Floor
How do you identify if your pelvic floor is in good shape? Here are some signs to look out for:
- Normal Bladder and Bowel Function: Being able to control urination and bowel movements without leakage or urgency.
- Pain-Free Sex: Comfortable sexual activity without pain or discomfort.
- Strong Core Stability: Good posture and balance, supported by a strong core and pelvic muscles.
- Absence of Pelvic Pain: No chronic pain or discomfort in the pelvic region.
- Normal Bowel Movements: Ability to pass stools regularly and without difficulty.
- Ability to Relax and Contract Muscles: The ability to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles without strain or pain.
What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
Pelvic floor muscles can become weak, tight, or painful for many reasons, such as weightlifting, prolonged sitting, or pregnancy. This pain can occur at any stage of life, whether after childbirth or even in young athletes. Maintaining a healthy pelvic floor is essential at every stage of life.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy for women focuses on diagnosing and treating issues with the muscles located between the pubic bone and tailbone, which support vital organs such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum.
A healthy pelvic floor is essential for overall well-being, as it helps with bowel and bladder control, core stability, and sexual health. Taking care of it can prevent issues such as:
- Fecal Incontinence: Difficulty controlling bowel movements, which can lead to accidental leakage of stool.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse:When the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) drop or press into the vaginal canal due to weak pelvic floor muscles. You may experience pain or pressure in the pelvic area, lower abdomen, or lower back.
- Pelvic Pain: Discomfort or pain in the pelvic region, which can be caused by muscle tightness, tension, or injury.
- Painful Intercourse: Discomfort or pain during sex, often due to pelvic floor muscle tightness or dysfunction.
- Constipation: Difficulty with bowel movements, which can be related to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
- Diastasis Recti: Separation of the abdominal muscles, often occurring after pregnancy, which can affect core strength and pelvic floor function.
- Urinary urgency and frequency: Experiencing a strong or frequent urge to urinate, even when the bladder is not full.
Physiotherapy Treatment for Pelvic Floor Pain
Studies have shown that physiotherapy can greatly reduce pelvic pain and improve overall well-being. Here are the most recommended physiotherapy treatments for pelvic pain:
Muscle Retraining
Muscle retraining is an important approach that helps in restoring proper function to the muscles in the pelvic area. When these muscles become weak, tight, or uncoordinated, they can lead to pelvic pain. Muscle retraining focuses on teaching the pelvic floor muscles how to work properly again. Here’s how it works:
- Pelvic Floor Activation: A key part of muscle retraining is learning how to properly activate the pelvic floor muscles. This can involve exercises like Kegels, where you consciously contract and relax the pelvic muscles. The goal is to improve muscle control and prevent overuse or underuse.
- Neuromuscular Reeducation: This involves training the brain to better communicate with the pelvic muscles. A physiotherapist may guide you through exercises that help you improve muscle awareness and control. For example, you might be asked to focus on relaxing the pelvic floor muscles after contracting them, helping them become more responsive.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback is commonly used in muscle retraining. It involves using a small device that provides real-time feedback on how well your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. This allows you to see when you’re activating the right muscles and helps you practice more effectively.
- Pelvic Floor Coordination: It’s not just about strengthening the pelvic floor muscles; it’s also about ensuring they work in coordination with the surrounding muscles. Muscle retraining includes exercises that teach the pelvic floor muscles to work with your core muscles, lower back, and diaphragm for better overall function.
- Relaxation Techniques: Sometimes, pelvic floor muscles can become too tight or overactive, contributing to pain. Part of muscle retraining includes learning how to relax these muscles through breathing techniques, gentle stretching, and relaxation exercises.
- Progressive Strengthening: Once muscle activation and coordination are established, progressive strengthening exercises are introduced. These exercises help improve the endurance and strength of the pelvic floor muscles, ensuring that they can function properly during daily activities.
- Individualized Programs: Muscle retraining programs are personalized to each person’s condition. A physiotherapist will develop a tailored plan based on your symptoms, muscle weaknesses, and goals. This individualized approach ensures the most effective treatment for your pelvic pain.
Manual Therapy
This therapy involves hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and relieve pain. Techniques like massage therapy, trigger point therapy and myofascial release are used. They help relax tight muscles and ease discomfort in the pelvic area. These treatments improve movement and relieve pain.
Rehabilitation Exercises
A physiotherapist will create exercises tailored to your needs. These exercises help strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor. They also improve flexibility and posture. Strengthening the pelvic floor and nearby muscles is key for reducing pelvic pain. It can also help prevent future problems. Studies show these exercises can significantly reduce pain.
Lifestyle Adjustments
In addition to exercises and manual therapy, physiotherapists help to make lifestyle changes. They will advise you on posture and daily routines. It helps to reduce pelvic pain and improve your overall health. These small changes in daily habits can help you manage your pelvic pain more effectively in the long run.
Please note: The first step is usually a thorough assessment. A physiotherapist will look at your symptoms, posture, and movement to understand what’s causing the pain. After that, they’ll recommend a treatment plan that’s personalized to your needs.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is an effective way to improve your health. It helps with common problems like weak muscles, pain, and tension. This therapy makes you feel stronger and more confident. It’s good for people of all ages and can improve core stability, bladder control, and posture. Whether you’re healing from an injury, dealing with pain, or trying to prevent problems, pelvic floor therapy can help.
If you are searching for ”pelvic floor physiotherapy near me”, our team at Khalsa Physiotherapy Clinic in Surrey, BC, is here to help you feel better, move freely, and enjoy life. Remember, choosing pelvic floor physiotherapy is an important step toward better health and a more comfortable future.