What the HECK is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
If you're scratching your head wondering what pelvic floor physical therapy is, you're not alone. It's a question I get asked daily! Let's break it down into simpler terms.
1. Pelvic Floor: Imagine a hammock of bones, muscles, and tissues nestled between your upper and lower body. This is your pelvic floor, responsible for holding your internal organs in place and orchestrating essential functions like peeing, pooping, and even procreating.
2. Physical Therapy: This is a form of therapy that aims to restore movement and function that's been compromised due to injury, disease, or disability. It's all about getting you back to your best.
3. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Combining these two, pelvic floor physical therapy (or pelvic health PT) focuses on restoring optimal movement and function to your pelvic area.
Why is it Important?
For such a small area, the pelvic floor can cause a lot of trouble. A staggering 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men experience pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives. This can manifest in various ways, from incontinence and constipation to pain during sex and even low back pain.
But here's the good news: pelvic floor dysfunction, while common, is not normal. And there's something you can do about it! Pelvic floor PT boasts an impressive success rate, with up to 80% of patients experiencing improvement.
What Does a Pelvic Floor Therapist Do?
As a pelvic floor therapist, I'm like a detective for your pelvic region. My goal is to help you regain function and decrease pain by figuring out the root cause of your dysfunction. To do this, I typically assess four key areas:
Support: How well are your pelvic floor muscles supporting your organs?
Stability: How is your pelvis working with your core, back, and hips to keep you stable?
Sphincteric Function: Are the circular openings of your urethra and rectum functioning properly?
Sexual Function: How does your pelvic floor respond to stretch, penetration, or arousal?
What to Expect in Pelvic Floor PT
Since the pelvic floor is internal, treatment often involves internal assessments and therapies (don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds!). This might include looking at muscle tension, nerve sensitivity, and tissue health. We also work on external factors like posture, core strength, and stability.
Don't Suffer in Silence
Pelvic floor issues can be embarrassing and uncomfortable to talk about, but remember, you're not alone. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to address these problems and improve your quality of life. If you're experiencing any symptoms, don't hesitate to reach out to a pelvic floor PT. You deserve to feel your best!
