Over 66% of women experience some type of pelvic floor dysfunction after pregnancy, which can interfere with their daily lives. Many people don’t even know they have pelvic floor muscles, much less that there is physical therapy to treat them.
The pelvic floor is a collection of muscles that sit inside the bottom of your pelvis like a bowl. They have functions for support of the pelvis and organs, for sphinteric control of urine and stool, and for sexual function.
When these muscles don’t work properly, people experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, urinary frequency and urgency, pelvic pain, constipation, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, tailbone pain, and sexual dysfunction.
While these symptoms can be common, they are NOT normal, no matter your age, gender, or obstetric history! The good news is that pelvic floor physical therapy can help!
The first visit typically consists of a detailed medical history, brief external and internal exam of the pelvic floor muscles, education about how the pelvic floor is contributing to symptoms, and a beginning exercise program for home. We also do a full musculoskeletal assessment evaluating posture, core strength, hip strength and range of motion, pelvic alignment, and breathing mechanics.
The number of follow up visits needed varies depending on diagnosis and your goals. You might need only one visit for some education and a home program or we might recommend more follow up visits if your goal is returning to running, lifting, working out or other physically demanding activities. It’s so much more than Kegels!
Want to schedule an appointment?
If you have questions or would like more information, call our office to set up your evaluation!
