Health

What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Why Is It Important?

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The pelvic floor is important, as it is the foundation for pelvic organs. When the pelvic floor is weak, it causes various symptoms, and many of them are uncomfortable or embarrassing. Many people have pelvic floor dysfunction and do not even realize it. If you have some or many of the dysfunction symptoms, you may benefit from physical therapy in Palm Desert.

Understanding Lowered Pelvic Floor

The muscles of the pelvic floor support the uterus, prostate, bladder, rectum, and large intestine. A lowered, or dysfunctional, pelvic floor is caused by a number of things, and the accompanying symptoms can greatly affect one’s quality of life.

Causes

One common cause of pelvic floor dysfunction is pregnancy. In fact, about 50% of women experience pelvic floor issues either before or after childbirth. This is due to the increased weight placing strain on the pelvic floor.

Injury to the pelvis, such as from a car accident or sports injury, can also affect the pelvic floor. So can the overuse of the pelvic muscles, such as if you push too hard while going to the bathroom. Additional causes include pelvic surgery, age, and obesity.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction include:

  • Constipation
  • Bladder or stool incontinence (leaking)
  • Pain while going to the bathroom
  • Straining to eliminate stool
  • Frequently feeling the need to use the bathroom
  • Pain in the pelvic region or lower back

Pelvic dysfunction affects both men and women, and another symptom is sexual dysfunction or pain.

If you experience any of these symptoms, physical therapy in Vista may help.

Why Physical Therapy is Important for This Condition

Pelvic floor dysfunction is an issue with the muscles, and physical therapists work to improve muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility. When you seek physical therapy in Murrieta, the first thing your physical therapist will do is conduct an exam to determine which muscles in your pelvic region or lower back are causing your symptoms. The therapist will also check to see if you can perform voluntary moves, such as contraction and relaxation, of the pelvic floor muscles.

After the initial exam, the physical therapist will recommend a treatment plan to address the cause of the problem. Each session will be different, as the treatment methods depend on the specific situation.

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Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

One of the common methods used is either trigger point therapy or manual therapy to release tension in the associated muscles. If there is a problem with muscle coordination, the therapist may use biofeedback as part of the treatment process.

Exercises are another major part of healing the pelvic floor. Your therapist will recommend and demonstrate a variety of exercises to improve strength and coordination. Many times, you will be sent home with these moves so that you can do them on a daily basis.

You may also receive recommendations for lifestyle changes, such as limiting coffee, increasing your water intake, or adding more fiber to your diet.

Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction often consists of a series of sessions, and the more you engage, the better results you will discover.

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Photo by Daria Liudnaya on Pexels.com

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