Physical Therapy to Relieve Pelvic Pain and Strengthen Pelvic Floor Muscles
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
If you are struggling with pelvic pain, pain during intercourse or urinary incontinence, specialized therapy may help relieve your symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a non-surgical treatment to help treat pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor therapy is offered for men and women at Penn Highlands locations throughout Pennsylvania.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor consists of a layer of muscles and connective tissue that stretches from the pubic bone to the tail bone. These muscles have four functions: to support the pelvic organs including the bladder, rectum, bowel, uterus and prostate; stabilize the pelvis and spine; assist with sexual function; and support bowel and bladder control. Pelvic floor muscles are similar to other muscles in the body. They can be weak, stretched out, strong or tight. Pelvic floor weakness or tension leads to pelvic muscle dysfunction. Weakness in the muscles can be a common cause of incontinence and tension in the muscles can lead to pelvic pain or dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction may be related to one or more of the following:
- Pregnancy/childbirth
- Obesity Vaginal childbirth
- Chronic constipation
- Overuse injuries
- Pelvic surgeries
- Biomechanical abnormalities
- Aging and menopause
- Chronic holding/clenching of pelvic floor muscles or abdominals
What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction may be related to one or more of the following:
- Pregnancy/childbirth
- Obesity
- Vaginal childbirth
- Chronic constipation
- Overuse injuries
- Pelvic surgeries
- Biomechanical abnormalities
- Aging and menopause
- Chronic holding/clenching of pelvic floor muscles or abdominals
What are the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
People with pelvic floor dysfunction typically experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Urinary frequency or urgency
- Pelvic pain
- Lower abdominal pain
- Low back/hip or tail bone pain
- Constipation
- Burning or UTI like symptoms
- Urinary retention
- Penile or testicular pain
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- Bladder pain
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness
- Painful sex
- Painful gynecology exams or tampon insertion
- Pain with bowel movements
It is important to note that the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can mimic other conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast and bladder infections as well as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). When pelvic floor dysfunction exists, diagnostic tests for these infections are negative leading to frustration and confusion for patients and medical professionals.
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a branch of physical therapy that focuses on conditions that related to and include the pelvic floor. These conditions include but are not limited to:
- Bowel dysfunction
- Pelvic pain
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Sexual function
- Urinary dysfunction
Pelvic floor physical therapists are trained to perform internal pelvic floor exams.
What Conditions Respond Best to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help people who struggle with:
- Abdominal pain
- Coccydynia( tail bone pain)
- Constipation
- Diastasis Recti
- Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
- Endometriosis
- Fecal Incontinence
- Levator Ani Syndrome
- Painful bladder syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain
- Pregnancy related back or pelvic pain
- Prostatitis
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Rectal pain
- Scrotal pain
- Urinary hesitation
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary urgency/frequency
- Voiding dysfunction
- Vaginismus
- Vulvodynia
- Vestibulitis
How Do I Know if I am a Candidate for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
You may be a candidate for pelvic floor physical therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above or other pelvic problems. This type of physical therapy can be used in conjunction with medication and surgery. Or, you may choose pelvic floor therapy in place of other treatments. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and if pelvic floor physical therapy is right for you.
What are the Pelvic Floor Treatment Options?
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers several different treatment options at The Rehabilitation Center. A physical therapist will perform a complete musculoskeletal assessment of the trunk and pelvis including the pelvic floor musculature. Our Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists work with men and women to set goals and develop individualized treatment plans that may include:
- Manual therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Biofeedback
- Relaxation techniques
- Therapeutic exercise
- Postural and breathing analysis
- Patient education
- Home exercise programs
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a painless treatment option that can significantly improve symptoms, often in a relatively short period of time.
