Don't let Health Problems Get in the Way of Life

You may have never heard of pelvic floor physiotherapy, but this type of treatment can provide relief from a number of different issues. From incontinence to pain during sex, pelvic floor therapy can help improve your quality of life. Here's everything you need to know about this type of therapy.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles and tissues in the pelvis. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. This group of muscles also plays a role in sexual function. Pelvic floor therapy can help educate patients on how to properly use these muscles.

What Are Some Common Problems That Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Treatments Can Help? 

Pelvic floor therapy can help with many different issues, including:

• Incontinence
• Pain during sex
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Constipation or difficulty emptying the bowels fully

Pelvic floor therapy can help treat these problems by strengthening the muscles and tissues in the pelvis and is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication or surgery, for more serious issues like organ prolapse.

How Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Work?

Pelvic floor therapists use a variety of different techniques to treat their patients. These techniques may include:

• Education on proper muscle use. Many patients are unaware of how to properly use their pelvic floor muscles. Therapists can teach patients how to correctly engage these muscles. This type of education is often combined with therapeutic exercises.
• Physical manipulation. The therapist may manually manipulate the muscles and tissues in the pelvis. This type of treatment can help relieve pain and improve the range of motion.
• Electrical stimulation. For some patients, electrical stimulation may be used to help relax or contract the pelvic floor muscles. This type of therapy is often used for conditions like incontinence or chronic pelvic pain.
• Therapeutic exercises. A variety of exercises may be used to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Kegel exercises are often recommended for patients with incontinence or prolapse.

Who Can Benefit From Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

While this type of therapy is often recommended for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth, almost any woman can benefit from pelvic floor therapy, especially if they are experiencing any type of problem with their pelvic floor muscles. Incontinence, for example, is not a normal symptom of childbirth or aging. Women who are going through menopause or have had surgery on their pelvis are also good candidates for pelvic floor therapy.

If you're experiencing any problems with your pelvic floor muscles, such as incontinence or pain during sex, you may want to consider trying pelvic floor therapy to improve your quality of life. Talk to your doctor to see if this type of therapy is right for you.