Pelvic floor therapy in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your self-esteem and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the grass, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO can help you experience:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced discomfort and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
• Increased confidence and well-being

Axes Physical Therapy in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or desire to book an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you reclaim control and confidence in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that constitute 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 area, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping control several important functions.

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

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by giving you authority over the contraction and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from prolapsing
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports healthy sexual function
• Provides sturdiness and posture to the core and back
• During pregnancy, stretches to accommodate a growing fetus and supports vaginal delivery in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, helping to maintain healthy 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 mesh of muscles and tissues that forms a strong base, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from descending down. It works like a supportive sling to preserve 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 helps you to hold in your feces (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 works to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have important roles. They aid 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 providing support to the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised or becomes too tense, it leads to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you have difficulty relaxing and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are not fully finished
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Often feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to force out waste
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Erectile dysfunction and trouble ejaculating
• 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, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you regain the joy of participating in the pursuits you treasure 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 despairing. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and enjoy a pain-free existence.

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

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in improving bladder and bowel control, alleviate symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination promotes vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting weaker or less flexible muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can assist in reducing or eliminating the discomfort you feel resulting from pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can aid in preparing the pelvic floor for childbirth, reducing the risk of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By targeting specific muscles and tackling any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual arousal, climax, and overall sexual satisfaction.
• Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan will not exclusively include supervised exercises. By offering education and guiding you in methods you can try independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a lifestyle that fosters pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO who can assist you in boosting your pelvic well-being and performance. Although some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate operative intervention, most patients in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO will find lasting and meaningful improvement through non-invasive physical therapy methods.

What Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO will include an assessment of your existing pelvic floor health. The subsequent sessions will center around implementing your personalized treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. In this appointment, your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO physical therapist will dedicate 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 current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO may additionally include an internal examination to better determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an substitute to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will aid in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the formulation of an suitable treatment plan to help 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 Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, exercises, and expected results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving muscle strength and coordination is crucial for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO include:

• Kegel exercises to release and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into everyday tasks

The exercises your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your unique situation, but will all be aimed at rehabilitating your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may initially start with you reclining on your back and progress to seated and upright 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 myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve release (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilization (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 control and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they tighten and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle alignment and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to complete – it also offers you entry to skilled, research-supported insights that improve your daily life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Alterations to your eating habits
• Liquid regulation
• Correct posture and safe lifting methods
• Tactics for addressing constipation
• Additional tips for a better day-to-day life and way of living

Enhancing the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations fosters better pelvic floor function and general well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in offering customized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a challenging and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, compassion, and personalized attention.

We also embrace the belief in providing evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and advanced technology to inform our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we provide a range of other physical therapy services that can enhance your pelvic floor therapy, including:

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

If you are interested in trying pelvic floor therapy in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO area, all dedicated to attaining your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from living your fullest life. At Axes, our dedicated physical and occupational therapists in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the activities you love the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it difficult to manage your day, we will customize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Schedule an appointment online or contact the closest location to you to commence your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO today.