What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy treats pelvic floor muscles. It works as a standalone procedure or part of a comprehensive treatment for a variety of physical conditions surrounding pregnancy.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor muscles have several functions, including:
- Supporting the pelvic organs
- Assisting bowel and bladder functions
- Enabling sexual arousal and orgasm
Any trouble in this area can lead to a host of problems, such as constipation, incontinence, chronic pain, and trouble with sex and intimacy.
Many primary caregivers, sex therapists, gynecologists, and urologists recommend pelvic floor therapy to manage and treat these conditions.
Why do I need it?
As described above, even the slightest problem with the pelvic floor can hinder quality of life. Hence, pelvic floor therapy aims to relieve your symptoms so you can resume your daily routine. This involves everything from bladder control, healthy and enjoyable sex, and any physical activity or sport you regularly engage in.
Other benefits of pelvic floor therapy include:
- Lower pain levels
- Increased range of motion
- Enhanced sexual function
- Reduced risk of chronic pain
- Corrected urinary and bowel patterns
What does the process look like?
Since it is a sensitive and private area, many people are apprehensive about pelvic floor therapy. But knowing a bit about the procedure can help to prepare you for the treatment.
When you consult a pelvic floor therapist, they will do a complete assessment to develop a plan for your specific needs.
To discover the cause of the pain, the therapist will examine factors like your posture, breathing, strength, and flexibility of your pelvic muscles. You may be asked to move a little, so wear something comfortable for your visit.
Your physical therapist will also perform a physical examination, which can include an internal exam.
Only consult therapists who are trained to treat pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. They know that patients may feel uncomfortable during the examination, which is why they are gentle and compassionate.
It may take up to eight, 1 hour-long sessions to experience relief. You may think it is a long time, but it is better than delaying treatment and prolonging pain and discomfort for months.