WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR?

Did you know that 1 out of 5 Americans (over 63 million) suffers from some type of pelvic floor dysfunction? And that the majority of cases go untreated? Muscle tension and/or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to many issues.
The pelvic floor is composed of muscles and other tissues that form a sling-like trampoline inside of the pelvis from the pubic bone to the tailbone. They assist in supporting the abdominal and pelvic organs, and help to control bladder, bowel and sexual function. They also aid in sexual performance (erection and ejaculation).

PELVIC PAIN RELATED TO MEN

• PAIN FROM PUDENDAL NEURALGIA
• PAIN FROM PUDENDAL NEURALGIA
• HARD - FLACCID• PAINFUL URINATION
• ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
• PAINFUL ANAL INTERCOURSE
• PAIN DURING OR AFTER EJACULATION
• PAIN DURING OR AFTER BOWEL MOVEMENTS
• TIGHTNESS IN PERINEUM
• SPASMS IN PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES
• TESTICULAR PAIN
• PAIN WHILE SITTING
• PAIN IN PELVIC FLOOR WHILE EXERCISING
• DIAGNOSED WITH:
  • LEVATOR ANI SYNDROME
  • LEVATOR MYALGIA
  • PROCTALGIA FUGAX

CAN PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?

Do any of the above symptoms affect your quality of life? Do you need to use the restroom frequently throughout the day? Do you experience pain in your pelvic regions, genitals or rectum? Is intercourse painful? Do you have a hard time reaching the restroom without leaking? Do you experience bowel or urine leakage? Do you strain or have constipation during a bowel movement?

These are not issues you have to live with.
Relief is possible and it starts with a visit to our Pelvic Floor  Therapists.

TIGHT PELVIC FLOOR VS. WEAK PELVIC FLOOR

The muscles in the pelvis often become too tense or over-active. Overly tight muscles can irritate or compress the bladder, urethra, and bowel, lead to decreased blood flow, restrict or compress nerves, and/or cause painful trigger points. Weakness in the pelvic muscles can also occur in men, typically as a result of pelvic surgeries or chronic constipation. Symptoms include: erectile dysfunction, involuntary leaking of urine or feces.

POST-SURGICAL TREATMENT

Pelvic therapy is recommended if you are undergoing any abdominal or pelvic surgery, including: Abdominopelvic Pain (ex. hernia repair), Prostate Surgery (e.g. TURP or prostatectomy). Our Pelvic Therapists will teach you strategies to reduce the changes in pressure that occur with daily activities such as lifting, standing up, or having a bowel movement in order to protect healing tissues.
Examples during treatment may include: retraining of the pelvic floor and core muscles, pain reduction and management techniques, manual treatment to reduce pain, scarring, and adhesions, normalizing bladder and bowel function and addressing issues such as leaking, retention, urgency/frequency, or difficulty starting stream, maximizing sexual health, including reducing erectile dysfunction or pain with intercourse, preventing and managing constipation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We will evaluate your pelvic floor muscles and identify issues with excess muscle tension, weakness, or challenges with coordination.
You will be taught exercises & techniques to improve your coordination and to either strengthen or release your muscles. Also, you will also be taught strategies to improve bladder, bowel, and sexual functioning.
Biofeedback can be used to improve your awareness and ability to strengthen or release your pelvic muscles.
In addition, internal and external manual therapy may be used to stretch and release pelvic muscles and reduce trigger points, although this is never required.

Exercises to identify and strengthen the pelvic floor:

• Core strengthening exercises
• Biofeedback techniques to improve muscle contraction and relaxation
• Electrical stimulation to improve awareness and strengthen muscles
• Soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release to address muscle imbalance
• Joint mobilization
• Relaxation techniques
• Self-care education including diet and lifestyle changes that can help improve symptoms.