What to expect:
Pelvic floor therapy is physical therapy specifically for the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic muscles are the group of muscles that run from pubic bone to tailbone and they function to help control bladder, bowel and sexual function. It also plays a big role in supporting your spine, organs, core, and hips.
Just like regular muscles, pelvic floor muscles can be tight or weak and can cause discomfort. In patients with dysfunction in their pelvic floor it can present as sharp pain, burning, achiness, nerve pain, pressure, increased sensitivity, in areas such as the vagina, vulva, urethra, clitoris, penis, testicles, rectum, lower abdominal area affecting bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Dysfunction in the pelvic floor can also contribute to symptoms like urinary urgency/frequency, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation. All the pelvic physical therapists here at “Pelvic Restore” (Metro PT) have advanced training in pelvic floor therapy making them fully equipt to help patients with these conditions. During our assessment we work to figure out the causes of your symptoms and create an individualized plan of care. We work closely with other healthcare providers as pelvic floor therapy is a multidisciplinary approach. Some examples include, physicians, mental health therapists, nutritionists, acupuncture, yoga etc.
Initial Consultation:
The first visit at “Pelvic Restore” is a one-on-one visit with a skilled pelvic floor therapist. It will include a comprehensive history with detailed discussion of your symptoms so we can understand what may be going on and how we can help you.
We perform a physical examination which may include postural assessment, range of motion testing, strength testing, muscle tone assessment through abdomen, hips, back, pelvic floor, etc.
With the patient’s permission we will perform a pelvic floor muscle assessment. For female patients, we will visually look at the vulva, assess the skin and the muscles and will do an internal vaginal exam with a gloved finger and lubricant. This exam will give the therapist the information they need to determine the tone of the pelvic floor (are the muscles tight? Are you able to relax them?, are the muscles weak?, do they function properly). For male patients, with their permission, we examine the external pelvic floor and examine the muscles determining where there might be some dysfunction and what could be contributing to their symptoms. For further examination for both male and female patients, we may also assess the pelvic floor rectally. Through this exam we would be able to assess muscle strength and coordination which could be affecting bowel function. Here we can also assess the prostate gland which, for male patients, which can affect urinary and sexual function.
Based on our findings we will give the patient an in depth explanation of causes of symptoms. We will answer whatever questions the patient may have and will work with the patient in creating a plan of care that meets the patient’s goals.
Future treatment session:
This may include activity modifications, education on retraining muscles and habits that may be contributing to your symptoms. Manual therapy to address tight muscles, exercises to help with creating more appropriate muscle balance and coordination to allow for more efficient movement patterns and function. Biofeedback is also a tool that may be used to help visually restrain your pelvic floor muscles.
