Pelvic Floor Therapy: Symptoms, Exercises and Preparations

An effective method of strengthening and relaxing your pelvic floor is pelvic floor therapy. It helps increase stability in the core and improve control over stool movements and sexual activity. 

This article explains the basics of pelvic floor therapy and its treatment. It also covers what you must do to prepare for the pelvic floor physical  therapy session.

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy is a method of treatment that utilizes physical therapy techniques to offer an organized, efficient, and safe way to recondition Pelvic floor muscles. 

The therapy aims to enhance the strength and efficiency of the pelvic floor muscles and reduce the symptoms of weakness, pain, and discomfort of the pelvic floor muscles. 

During treatment, an experienced physical therapist enters the muscles via the vagina or rectum and then performs manipulative exercises to enhance their strength and function. 

The physical therapist could stretch muscles when they are contracted and short or apply resistance to build strength in case they are weak and ineffective.

Symptoms Associated With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Below are some symptoms that may indicate pelvic floor problems. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

• Pushing or straining is hard to get rid of the bowel. It is possible to find yourself shifting positions while on the bathroom floor or using your hands to aid in getting rid of stool.
• The leak of stool or urine (incontinence)
• Urinary pain or frequent urination
• You are experiencing discomfort within your lower back for no other reason.
• Pelvic, genital, or rectum discomfort. Pelvic, genital, or rectum discomfort.

Certain symptoms and conditions related to pelvic floor dysfunction can differ for females and males.

In males, pelvic floor problems can result in groin pain. Issues with ejaculation or erectile dysfunction include the inability to obtain or keep an erection in sexual activity.

Prostatitis is an inflammation or an infection of the prostate that symptoms like pelvic floor problems may accompany; however, it usually heals by itself or is treated with antibiotics.

For women, pelvic floor problems can affect reproductive health through vaginal and uterus health and cause discomfort during sexual interactions.

Men or women who suffer from pelvic floor problems may suffer from the condition known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the leakage of urine whenever they laugh, cough, or sniffle.

How to Prepare

To prepare the pelvic floor for therapy, you must dress in comfortable clothes that permit the legs to stretch around freely without restriction. 

The examination will have one internal element, which is why you should be sure that your areas of the genital tract are clean before the appointment.

It’s helpful to be prepared with the list of concerns or questions you wish to address to the physical therapist you see during your examination and assessment. 

It would help if you allowed yourself time to arrive at the facility for physical therapy to complete the initial paperwork before your appointment.

To prepare for your first appointment, bring the following items:

• Identification documents like passport or driver’s license
• Health insurance card
• A list of all medicines you’re taking
• A prescription from a physician who refers you to If needed

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Exercises 

Physical therapy of the Pelvic Floor may include exercises or techniques like:

Trigger Point therapy. This therapy places pressure on a specific spot within your body, either externally or internally, referred to as trigger points. 

Your therapist or doctor could additionally administer anesthesia into the region.

They are also known as Kegels. Kegels are an exercise popular among women to strengthen those pelvic muscles contracting and relaxing the muscles. 

This workout can ease the pain of sex and also manage incontinence. Your PT can show you the correct technique for Kegels so that you benefit the most from this workout.

Electric stimulation

This procedure helps to lessen the pain in the pelvis and muscle spasms. The PT can do this in your office or instruct you on performing it at home using specially designed equipment.

Biofeedback

This method uses equipment to measure the abdominal muscles’ contraction force. 

The PT you work with will likely employ biofeedback to assess the progress of your workouts and monitor your progress. 

They might apply electrodes to the exterior parts of your body, for instance, between the vagina and anus. 

Additionally, they may employ an internal probe that measures your tension as well as relaxation in the muscles of your pelvic floor. 

A computer monitor displays the results, and your PT will discuss them with you.

Last Words

The symptoms associated with pelvic floor issues are likely to worsen over time and can significantly impact your living level. 

Beginning pelvic floor therapy as early as possible will help relieve discomfort and other symptoms and help you gain control of your life.

If you’ve experienced persistent pain for more than three months, or have issues with bowel movements, urination, or sexual interactions, Contact your doctor to determine if further testing is required to determine if you have a problem more serious to the cause of the pelvic discomfort.