Pelvic floor therapy in Bismarck, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the basketball court, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to feel like your best you again. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Bismarck, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and inflammation
- Enhanced sexual performance and satisfaction
- Increased self-assurance and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Bismarck, MO specializes in designing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they love most safely and successfully. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you reclaim control and assurance in your pelvic health.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a complex 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 foundation for the organs in the pelvic region, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor protects organs and your spine from external pressure while helping manage several basic 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 avoids them from prolapsing
- Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
- Supports optimal sexual function
- Provides support and alignment to the core and back
- During pregnancy, stretches 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 stretch from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone at the front, while also joining to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have channels or passages for the urethra (through which urine is passed), the vagina, and the anus (through which stool is passed).
Picture the pelvic floor as a woven mesh of muscles and tissues that constructs a strong foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. 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 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 important roles. They aid in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the correct times and contribute 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 is a condition where you have difficulty unwinding and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.
Signs and Symptoms
- Trouble urinating or having bowel movements
- Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
- Leakage of urine or feces
- Regularly feeling the need to use the bathroom
- Feeling like you need to strain urine or feces
- Pelvic discomfort
- 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 can affect anyone, regardless of 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 Bismarck, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you recover the pleasure 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, embarrassed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans tailored for you by your Bismarck, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a comfortable life.
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 Bismarck, 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 the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
- Pain management — By targeting less resilient or stiffer muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can support in diminishing or getting rid of the pain you experience caused by pelvic floor dysfunction.
- Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can assist in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, minimizing the likelihood of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to childbirth.
- Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and addressing any subsurface issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, climax, and overall sexual satisfaction.
- Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan won’t just consist of supervised exercises. By offering information and instructing you in methods you can try at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and empowers you to maintain a way of life that promotes pelvic floor wellness.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Bismarck, MO who can help you in boosting your pelvic well-being and function. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate surgical correction, most individuals in Bismarck, MO will experience sustained and substantial improvement through less invasive physical therapy techniques.
What Bismarck, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Bismarck, MO will involve an examination of your existing pelvic floor health. The following sessions will center around implementing your customized treatment program.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Bismarck, MO physical therapist will take the time to understand you and your issues. They will inquire about your medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Additionally, they will perform a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to assess your present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Bismarck, MO may additionally include an internal examination to more assess the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized as an alternative to an internal examination.
The assessment and evaluation carried out by your physical therapist will assist in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an optimal treatment plan to assist you in returning to the activities you love.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises
Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Bismarck, MO will develop a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will include specific goals, exercises, and expected outcomes to guide your therapy.
Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Improving strength and coordination is vital for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Bismarck, MO are:
- Kegel exercises to relax and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor movement
- Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
- Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
- Functional training to incorporate new muscle movements into routine activities
The exercises your Bismarck, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your specific situation, but will all be aimed at rehabilitating your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your present health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may initially start with you lying down on your back and progress to sitting and standing positions.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy, such as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, is a hands-on technique that involves your physical therapist applying pressure or working on 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 mobilization (lifting and rolling the skin to reduce adhesions).
Biofeedback Training
Biofeedback training utilizes a device to gauge 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 tighten and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and relax the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle coordination and command.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to mark off – it also gives you access to professional, evidence-based insights that enhance your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:
- Alterations to your diet
- Fluid regulation
- Correct body alignment and lifting techniques
- Approaches for dealing with constipation
- Further advice for a healthier day-to-day life and lifestyle
Complementing the exercises and techniques used in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications promotes better pelvic floor function and overall well-being.
Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may include therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and additional alternatives.
Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Bismarck, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in delivering personalized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Bismarck, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and aims to achieve favorable patient results. We comprehend that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a delicate and difficult condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, empathy, and customized attention.
We also hold the belief in offering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and cutting-edge 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 exploring pelvic floor therapy in Bismarck, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Bismarck, MO area, all dedicated to achieving your best pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Bismarck, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from being the best version of yourself. At Axes, our dedicated physio and occupational therapists in Bismarck, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the things you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to get through your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment online or get in touch with the most convenient location to you to embark on your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Bismarck, MO today.
