What is Pelvic Health/Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
A long-forgotten region of the body, the pelvic floor encapsulates all of the muscles, nerves, and fascial structures that are involved in the pelvic region. These different components of the region can, and do often, cause restrictions, pain, and limitations of movement within various systems in the body. Our pelvic floor is responsible for five different functions within our body: sphincter control (dysfunctions with which result in urinary leakage), support of the internal organs, stabilization of the core and spine, sexual appreciation, and our lymphatic flow to the lower body.
More often than not, people tend to learn about the pelvic floor after they’ve experienced dysfunction involving this region of the body. Typically, it’s a common topic of discussion after giving birth for most child-bearers, but the pelvic floor is so much more than a post-partum person’s problem!
The pelvic floor consists of 26 different muscles, and more and more are being “discovered,” all the time! These muscles act in unison to deliver the functional promises which are expected of them. However, if there are any restrictions (comparable to knots found in your neck after a long day or tension), weakness, or scarring there can yield limitations in the quality and quantity of the work they can perform. There is also a strong link between the muscles of the pelvic floor with chronic low back, hip, or bladder pain/discomfort. For many diagnoses, a contributing and correlating pelvic floor muscle or nerve can be found!
What Should You Expect from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
During an initial evaluation for pelvic floor therapy expect to spend some TIME. Together, you and your professional will go through a detailed history of your current needs. You will be asked detailed questions about your bladder, bowel, and sexual health, in conjunction with receiving a detailed education on your body and how/why your symptoms are manifesting. There is a full body musculoskeletal exam— where your hips, low back, and core are all assessed for any contributing dysfunctions. There is an internal pelvic assessment where the therapist will address any muscular dysfunctions within the pelvic bowl. They will also be able to assess the placement of internal organs and address any fascial restrictions or scarring which may be felt. (Please note: if an internal assessment is something that causes any issues, a Pelvic Health Specialist has the ability to address various ailments which can be done externally, as well!).
During follow up treatments, the pelvic health specialist will work with you to tailor your session to your body’s needs. This will work with integrating manual therapies such as hands-on body work, internal releases of the pelvic bowl, joint mechanics with specific exercises, and energy work— to best enable your body to heal. Expect to spend time with your therapist, as the work to understand your body and its specific needs for healing is a process. This is a holistic approach using mind/body medicine to help with relaxation, restoration, and strengthening within the pelvis and beyond.
Pelvic health is a team approach between you and your physical therapist. Expect to be given a detailed, home program that should be integrated into your daily life, as well as different activities to do at home to best continue progress and improvements in your overall symptoms.