Some people may think that pelvic pain is just part of getting older, an effect of childbirth or just something you have to get used to. But pelvic pain is not normal for anyone and there are ways to get relief. The clinical team at Banner Health are the experts in pelvic floor therapy. With exceptional training and experience, trust the team to work closely with you on your journey to recovery.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is primarily focused on the pelvic floor muscles and the lack of control of these muscles. The pelvic floor supports and controls organs like the bladder, uterus, prostate and rectum. People who have pelvic floor dysfunction struggle to relax these muscles which can cause issues for these organs and muscles in this area of the body. Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction are often first described by patients as just simply, pain. This pain can be caused by obesity, childbirth, surgery or traumatic injury to these organs and the pelvic area.
Conditions commonly associated with pelvic floor dysfunction include:
Both men and women can be affected by pelvic floor dysfunction but it is more common for women.
Pelvic floor therapy can assist with strengthening and retraining these muscles to help lessen pain and discomfort. This type of therapy can include both external and internal therapy methods. Your physical therapist will review your options when it comes time to start therapy.
During your first pelvic floor treatment, your therapist will discuss your medical history and medications. Once the initial history questions have been answered, next is the pelvic floor exam.
A pelvic floor exam consists of both an external and an internal exam of the pelvic area. During these exams, the therapist can assess pelvic area tightness, pain and strength of these muscles. A plan of next steps can be determined, and pelvic floor therapy can begin.
For myofascial pain, the therapist will use his or her hands to manipulate and massage the pelvic floor muscles, helping those muscles to relax in an effort to alleviate any pain you may be experiencing.
After therapy, your physical therapist may prescribe a home exercise plan to continue strengthening these muscles. Discuss next steps with your therapist to ensure you’re on the same page moving forward.
The team at Banner Physical Therapy is here to answer any questions before, during, and after pelvic floor therapy - our team of trained physical therapists is here to help.
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