What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy? - The Essential Guide to This Popular Health Practice

Are you aware that over a quarter of all women in the United States have one or more pelvic floor disorders, according to National Institutes of Health-funded researchers? It has also been established that the chief causes of pelvic floor dysfunction include pregnancy, obesity, and menopause.

So, how are you going to solve this problem? It can be treated in a variety of ways. Physical therapy is one such way for assisting people in overcoming this challenge. Pelvic floor physical therapy treats muscle weakness and tension in the pelvic region.

The pelvic floor muscles, often known as the pelvic floor, support your organs such as your bladder and colon. When these muscles become weak or tight, it can result in a variety of issues, including urinary incontinence (urine loss), constipation, and sexual dysfunction.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a popular treatment option for persons who have issues in this area. This is due to the numerous advantages it provides to sufferers, such as greater urine control, less pain during bowel movements, and stronger orgasms.

So, in this post, we will go over the pelvic floor and how physical therapy can assist you to overcome it.

What is the Pelvic Floor?

Let's start by explaining what the pelvic floor is. The pelvic floor is a muscle network that supports many areas of your health and quality of life.

The pelvic floor muscles provide support for the bladder, bowel, and uterus. They help to prevent bladder and bowel incontinence, prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.

Incontinence (the leakage of urine or feces), pain during bowel motions, and sexual dysfunction can all result from these muscles being weak or tight.

Why is it Useful to Have a Strong Pelvic Floor?

Having a firm pelvic floor can help you in a variety of ways. It can help you control your bladder and bowel, for example. It can also make sex more enjoyable because there will be less discomfort and stronger orgasms.

A firm pelvic floor can also improve your overall quality of life. It can, for example, aid with urine and fecal incontinence, allowing you to avoid wearing diapers or pads during the day.

Stronger pelvic floor muscles can also aid in stronger orgasms. This is because stronger orgasms might help you relax your muscles more and enjoy your sex more.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

There are numerous physical therapies available to aid patients with these issues. Physical treatment for the pelvic floor is one approach. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a type of treatment that tries to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This includes the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a popular treatment option for persons who have problems with their pelvic floor. This is due to the numerous advantages it provides to sufferers, such as greater urine control, less pain during bowel movements, and stronger orgasms.

It is frequently prescribed for those who have urine or fecal incontinence. When these muscles become weak or tight, it can lead to a variety of issues such as urine incontinence, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. Exercises can be performed by both men and women with weak pelvic floor muscles to strengthen the floor and improve bladder and bowel control.

How does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Work?

Therapists employ a variety of approaches to work on the pelvic floor. When these issues are treated with pelvic floor physical therapy, the therapist applies moderate pressure to the muscles to help them become stronger and more relaxed. Certain procedures may also be used to enhance blood flow in the pelvic region while relaxing the muscles.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) is one of the most prevalent kinds of pelvic floor therapy. TENS is a type of electrical stimulation that is delivered via the skin, causing no muscle injury. It softly stimulates the muscles by using low electrical currents and frequencies. It is one of the most regularly utilized types of pelvic floor therapy, and several studies have shown that it is beneficial for treating urine and fecal incontinence.

A Kegel ball is another popular method of pelvic floor rehabilitation. The advantages of this pelvic floor physical therapy include the fact that it can be done at home and anytime you have a few minutes to spare. It is also doable by anyone, regardless of fitness level. The best method to accomplish this is to follow the instructions included with the ball. You can also allow a therapist to assist you, but it is important to know that it can also be done at home. It's also crucial to understand that you can't do it when pregnant, breastfeeding, or, in most situations, menstruating.

Another option for pelvic floor therapy is to use trigger point therapy. This technique applies pressure to a trigger point on your body, either internally or externally. Your doctor or physical therapist may also administer an anesthetic to the affected area.

Safety Considerations for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

It is critical to remain safe when performing pelvic floor physical therapy. Wearing protective equipment such as gloves, a face mask, or a hair net is part of this. You should also consult with your therapist about the appropriate protective equipment.

Only use gentle techniques when performing pelvic floor physical therapy. You should never perform pelvic floor physical therapy while lying down. It is critical to keep your head up while performing pelvic floor physical therapy.

In summary

The pelvic floor is an essential aspect of your body. It is beneficial to your urinary, bowel, and sexual organs. When these muscles become weak or tight, it can lead to a variety of issues such as urine incontinence, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.

Pelvic floor physical therapy has the ability to address a wide range of medical issues. This is due to the fact that this region houses the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs. There are, however, several parts of the pelvic floor that collaborate to support these processes.

Lastly, it is critical to choose a therapist who is well-versed in pelvic floor issues. You may learn about what is going on in your body and make better health decisions with their assistance.

To learn more about other physical therapy exercises to strengthen other body parts, you can read some articles here.