Pelvic floor therapy in Affton, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the field, beginning parenthood, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to feel like your best you again. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Affton, MO can lead to:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced discomfort and swelling
• Enhanced sexual function and satisfaction
• Increased confidence and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Affton, MO specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they enjoy most safely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you regain command and assurance in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that create a supportive web-like structure at the base of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base for the organs in the pelvic region, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several vital functions.

The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you control over the contraction and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from descending
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides support and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, helping to preserve vibrant tissue

Pelvic Floor Anatomy

The pelvic floor muscles extend from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone at the front, while also linking to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have openings or canals for the urethra (through which urine is passed), the vagina, and the anus (through which stool is passed).

Imagine the pelvic floor as a woven network of muscles and tissues that forms a strong foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to uphold the position and function of pelvic organs.

The primary muscles of the pelvic floor are called the levator ani and the coccygeus. The levator ani has three parts: one that wraps around the rectum and assists you to hold in your poo (puborectalis), one that connects the front and back bones of your pelvis and maintains the urethra and rectum (pubococcygeus), and one that connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and supports the organs inside your lower belly (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and helps to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They help in regulating the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the right times and play a part in sexual function and pleasure by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised or becomes too tense, it results in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where you experience difficulty relaxing and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are not fully finished
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Frequently feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to force out waste
• Pelvic aches
• Pain during sex
• Erectile dysfunction and trouble reaching orgasm
• Organ prolapse

Potential Causes

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Pelvic surgery or trauma
• Obesity
• Aging
• Menopause
• Chronic constipation or straining
• Chronic coughing or sneezing
• Heavy lifting or high-impact exercise
• Psychological factors like stress or emotional trauma
• Nerve damage
• Surgery

Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just affect people of a single certain age, gender or physical ability. While it can have a negative impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Affton, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you recover the pleasure of participating in the pursuits you love most in life.

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

If you are suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, you may feel frustrated, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Affton, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and enjoy a comfortable existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Affton, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help improving bladder and bowel control, alleviate symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and offer better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination facilitates vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less resilient or less flexible muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can assist in lessening or eradicating the discomfort you feel caused by pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised for expecting mothers and those who have just given birth. It can aid in readying the pelvic floor for labor, decreasing the chance of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and tackling any hidden issues, therapy can boost sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual fulfillment.
• Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan won’t exclusively comprise guided exercises. By providing education and teaching you tips you can practice independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and enables you to sustain a way of life that fosters pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Affton, MO who can assist you in boosting your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate surgical treatment, the majority of patients in Affton, MO will experience lasting and significant progress through minimally invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Affton, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Affton, MO will include an assessment of your current pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will emphasize implementing your tailored treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Affton, MO physical therapist will take the time to understand you and your issues. They will ask about your medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Additionally, they will conduct a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to determine your present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Affton, MO may additionally include an internal examination to better evaluate the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used instead of an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will aid in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the formulation of an effective treatment plan to assist you in resuming the activities you enjoy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Affton, MO will create a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, techniques, and projected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving muscle strength and balance is vital for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Affton, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to relax and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Stretching exercises to release tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle patterns into routine activities

The exercises your Affton, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your specific situation, but will all be aimed at retraining your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may initially start with you lying down on your back and gradually advance to seated and standing positions.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy, such as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, involves your physical therapist using their hands to put pressure on and massage specific areas of your pelvis. It may include trigger point therapy (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve release (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilizing techniques (improving the mobility of your joints), deep tissue massage (relaxing tense muscles), or skin rolling (lifting and rolling the skin to reduce adhesions).

Biofeedback Training

Biofeedback training utilizes a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand how to manage and align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they engage and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle alignment and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to complete – it also gives you access to professional, evidence-based insights that improve your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Adjustments to your eating habits
• Fluid control
• Correct posture and safe lifting methods
• Tactics for addressing constipation
• Further recommendations for a more wholesome day-to-day life and lifestyle

Enhancing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

Other pelvic floor therapy techniques may involve therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and additional alternatives.

Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Affton, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in offering customized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Affton, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and aims to obtain positive patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a sensitive and difficult condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, compassion, and personalized attention.

We also subscribe to the belief in delivering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to guide our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present a range of other physical therapy services that can supplement your pelvic floor therapy, including:

• Orthopedic rehab
• Sports physical therapy
• Neurological physical therapy
• Geriatric physical therapy
• Pre- or post-surgery rehab

If you are exploring pelvic floor therapy in Affton, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Affton, MO area, all dedicated to achieving your best pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Affton, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from living your most life. At Axes, our dedicated physical and occupational therapists in Affton, MO have a unified mission: getting you back to the things you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it difficult to get through your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your goals. Schedule an appointment online or contact the closest location to you to start your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Affton, MO today.