Pelvic Floor and Women's Health Physical Therapy

Pelvic Health:

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a treatment approach that uses the principles of physical therapy to provide a structured, effective and safe reconditioning of pelvic floor muscles. The goal of the treatment is to improve the strength and function of pelvic floor muscles and alleviate pain, weakness and dysfunction in the muscles. During the treatment, a skilled physical therapist accesses the muscles through the rectum or vagina and makes manipulations on them to improve their strength and functioning. The therapist may either stretch the muscles if they are short and contracted or apply resistance to improve strength if they weak and dysfunctional.

When is pelvic floor physical therapy recommended?

Pelvic floor therapy is targeted at the pelvic floor muscles, ligaments and connective tissues, all of which work together to support the pelvic organs, contribute to sexual arousal and orgasm, and assist in bladder and bowel control. The tissues are attached to the pelvis, tailbone and sacrum and are coordinated to support the urinary and reproductive tract, including the uterus, prostate, bladder, rectum, urethra, and vagina. They provide pelvic stability and promote proper function of pelvic organs, such as sexual and voiding function, together with posture and breathing. When pelvic muscles fail to work as they should, pain and symptoms that interfere with normal functioning occur.

Pelvic floor physical therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation can help with:

• Urinary incontinence, frequency and urgency
• Painful urination
• Bladder and bowel movements
• Fecal incontinence
• Painful sex or pain in the genital area
• Endometriosis
• Constipation
• Menopause symptoms
• Vaginismus
• Pain in the pelvis, hip, abdomen, thigh, or low back
• Rectal pain
• Unexplained pain
• Endometriosis
• Postpartum and pregnancy wellness
• Interstitial cystitis (IC)
• Pregnancy-related pain
• Testicular pain