Pelvic Floor Therapy & Treatment

Pelvic pain is not something anyone should just have to live with. Whether it’s from childbirth, aging or another cause, pelvic pain can often be relieved with the right therapy. Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that focuses on the pelvic floor muscles, which support your core, bladder, bowel and sexual health.

If you’re dealing with pelvic pain, incontinence or discomfort, pelvic floor therapy can help you regain comfort and confidence.

What is pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) occurs when the muscles in the pelvic floor lose their ability to function properly. These muscles help control the bladder, uterus, prostate and rectum. When the pelvic floor muscles struggle to contract, relax or coordinate, it can lead to discomfort, pain or difficulty controlling bodily functions.

Common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction include obesity, childbirth, surgery or trauma. Symptoms can range from general pain to issues with bladder and bowel control.

Conditions associated with pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to a variety of conditions, including:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Coccyx (tailbone) pain
• Constipation
• Difficulty passing gas
• Difficulty urinating
• Fecal incontinence or urgency
• Hernia repair
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Low back pain
• Menopause
• Muscle spasms or weakness
• Myofascial pain (muscle pain)
• Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
• Painful bladder syndrome
• Painful periods
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Post-surgical pelvic conditions
• Pregnancy/postpartum issues (e.g., perineal tears, C-section scars)
• Prostate surgery
• Pubic symphysis pain (SPD)
• Pudendal neuralgia
• Scars or adhesions
• Diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation)
• Sexual dysfunction
• SI joint pain (sacroiliac joint)
• Urinary issues (frequency, urgency, incontinence)
• Vaginismus

Pelvic floor therapy can address these conditions, easing pain and improving quality of life.

Who is affected by pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect people of any age and gender. While it is more commonly associated with women due to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, men can also experience pelvic floor issues. Regardless of your age or gender, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment to improve your pelvic health.

What is pelvic floor therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy helps retrain and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. It may involve both external and internal treatment methods, depending on your condition. Your therapist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Benefits of pelvic floor therapy

Pelvic floor therapy offers several benefits, including:

• Regaining control over incontinence: Therapy can help you manage both stress and urge incontinence, improving your bladder control and confidence.
• Supporting postpartum recovery: After childbirth, pelvic floor therapy can help restore muscle strength and alleviate discomfort, supporting recovery.
• Relieving pelvic pain: If you experience pelvic pain, therapy can help identify the cause and reduce discomfort through exercises and manual therapy techniques.
• Enhancing quality of life: By improving pelvic health, pelvic floor therapy can make daily activities more comfortable, boosting overall well-being.

What happens in pelvic floor therapy?

During your first appointment, your therapist will review your medical history, symptoms and any medications you're taking. The evaluation may include an internal exam to assess muscle strength, function and pain. Based on this, a treatment plan will be created.

Each therapy session will be tailored to your specific needs. You may work on strengthening pelvic floor muscles, and your therapist may use manual therapy or electrical stimulation to aid in muscle function and pain relief.

The therapist may also teach you breathing techniques, proper posture and how to incorporate pelvic floor exercises into your daily routine.

What happens after therapy?

After completing pelvic floor therapy, your therapist may provide you with a home exercise plan to help maintain progress. Be sure to discuss next steps with your therapist to continue your recovery at home.

Pelvic floor therapy can bring relief and improve your quality of life. If you have questions or concerns before, during, or after therapy, your physical therapist will be there to support you every step of the way.