Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that look like a sling attaching from your pubic bone to your tailbone. The pelvic floor muscles are crucial for supporting your pelvic organs like your bladder, rectum, uterus (women), and prostate (men).
Your core muscles (abdomen, erector spinae, obliques) also play a role in pelvic function. The combination of your core and pelvic muscles controls your bladder/bowel movements, enjoyable intercourse, and birthing babies.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic dysfunction can range from muscles that are too weak and need strengthening exercises to muscles that are too tight and require stretching and relaxing techniques. Pelvic muscles can also tear (childbirth) or be weakened as a result of surgery to the abdominal area. Weak pelvic muscles and lingering pain is especially prevalent in surgeries such as c-sections, prostate, and hysterectomy. The root cause of pelvic dysfunction can cause different issues and symptoms.
Many people have never seen a pelvic floor model or even know what organs they have and where they sit; Which is really unfortunate when the problem is pelvic dysfunction. Some doctors will prescribe medication for pain, anxiety, and other issues that mask symptoms but don’t treat the pelvic muscles, which is the root cause of the problem.
Never attempt to diagnose or treat pelvic dysfunction on your own because engaging in the wrong exercises can make things worse. A trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapist will accurately diagnose and provide a treatment plan imperative for your healing journey.
Signs of Pelvic Health Dysfunction
Pelvic dysfunction can happen to men or women and is more prevalent in ages 50+. It is more common in women than in men due to pregnancy and menopause. Studies show that almost one-quarter of women face pelvic floor disorders. It is also shown that one in five pregnant women experiences Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD), which can cause moderate to severe pain.
Have you experienced any of the following pelvic dysfunction symptoms?
- Increased urgency and frequency (urination)
- Incontinence
- IBS
- Constipation
- Heaviness or bulging (pelvic region)
- Pelvic pain
- Prostate Surgery
- Hysterectomy
- Scar tissue pain/burning
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful sex
- Painful menstruation (hip/groin/lower back)
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy to the Rescue!
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help reduce symptoms and improve the function of your pelvic floor muscles. A pelvic floor physiotherapist is your best course of action because they have more training in the pelvic floor muscles and more time to spend with patients than doctors. Here are some common conditions treated by pelvic health physiotherapy:
- Incontinence
- Difficult bladder or bowel movements
- Constipation
- Painful Sex
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Pelvic pain
- Endometriosis
- Pregnancy & postpartum wellness
- Prolapse (uterus, bladder, rectum, vagina)
- Menopause symptoms
A pelvic physiotherapist can work with your MD to create a program that will help you reach optimal pelvic health. Your pelvic physiotherapist will get a full history of your pelvic symptoms, and perform both an internal and external pelvic exam before diagnosing you. After diagnosis, you can expect to start a course of physical therapy with measured goals and timelines.
DSANDA Offers Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
At DSANDA, we offer Pelvic Health Physiotherapy with Kathy Trinder who has advanced education in pelvic health physiotherapy, orthopedic physiotherapy, visceral manipulation & cranial sacral therapy. She has been helping people who suffer from Pelvic Health Dysfunction for over ten years and is an integral key to pelvic health healing.
Book now online or contact the clinic for more information.
