Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

The pelvic floor consists of muscles, tendons and ligaments that stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone to the coccyx (tailbone). If you think of your core as a box, the abdominals are the sides of the box, diaphragm on the top and the pelvic floor is the bottom of the box.  All of these muscles work in unison to help stabilize and support the spine, as well as to transfer force and stresses from the lower body to the upper body and vise versa. 

In addition to core strength the pelvic floor muscles support the bowel and bladder in men and in women the uterus, bowel and bladder. The pelvic floor also helps maintain bowel and bladder control and play an important role in sexual sensation and function. 

Just like any other muscle in the body the pelvic floor muscles can become weak, tight and/or lack neuromuscular control, which will effect the actions of the organs described above. 

Pelvic floor physical therapy involves evaluation and treatment of the pelvis, hips, lumbar spine, and muscles of the pelvic floor in both women and men.  During this examination the specialized physical therapist will assess strength, mobility and tone of the pelvic floor through both external and, when appropriate, internal palpation and special tests. This provides the most in depth knowledge on how to help resolve the patients symptoms and help our patients improve their quality of everyday life.

Examination feels similar to a gynecologist or urologist examination involving insertion of gloved fingers into the vagina or rectum to assess muscle tone and function. A general orthopedic assessment of mobility, flexibility, strength and mechanics of the lumbar spine and hips is also performed along with the specific pelvic assessments. While preserving patient modesty in a private treatment room and being draped with a sheet, your pelvic floor physical therapy session may or may not involve undressing from the waist down for the purposes of allowing an external visual and/or internal pelvic floor assessment.

Common dysfunctions and symptoms can be affected and address by Pelvic Health PT:
 

• Pre/post natal care for pain, weakness and/or daistasis recti

• Urinary or fecal incontinence

• Menopausal changes

• Prolapse - cystocele, entercele, rectocele, or uterine

• Difficulty with bowel, bladder, and/or sexual functions

• Cesarean, episiotomy and scar pain

• Painful sex and menstruation

• Persistent sacroiliac or low back pain

• Pelvic floor rehabilitation for the athlete