Pelvic floor therapy in Black Jack, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can affect your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from returning to a favorite activity, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Black Jack, MO can help you achieve:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Black Jack, 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 discovering about pelvic floor therapy or wish to schedule 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 regain control and confidence in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that constitute a supportive web-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a foundation for the organs in the pelvic area, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several important functions.

The pelvic floor has numerous functions and roles:

• Helps control your bladder and bowels by giving you command over the contraction and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids them from prolapsing
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides stability and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and supports vaginal delivery in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, helping to preserve healthy 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 canals for the urethra (through which urine is passed), the vagina, and the anus (through which stool is passed).

Think of 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 chief 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 stool (puborectalis), one that connects the front and back bones of your pelvis and supports 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 crucial roles. They assist in regulating the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the right times and play a part in sexual function and satisfaction by supporting 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 experience difficulty relaxing and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Frequently feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to strain urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Erectile dysfunction and difficulty 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 affect anyone deeply, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Black Jack, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you regain the pleasure of participating in the activities 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 practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Black Jack, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and enjoy a pain-free existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Black Jack, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in improving bladder and bowel control, reduce 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 strong or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can support in diminishing or getting rid of the discomfort you feel due to 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 childbirth, minimizing the likelihood of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with giving birth.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and addressing any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Your personalized pelvic floor therapy plan will not just comprise monitored exercises. By providing information and guiding you in approaches you can practice on your own, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to sustain a way of life that supports pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Black Jack, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic well-being and performance. While some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate operative treatment, the majority of individuals in Black Jack, MO will likely find lasting and substantial progress through non-invasive physical therapy methods.

What Black Jack, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Black Jack, MO will include an examination of your existing pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will center around implementing your tailored treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Black Jack, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to get to know 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 determine your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Black Jack, MO may also involve an internal examination to more determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will assist in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the creation of an suitable treatment plan to help you in returning to the activities you cherish.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

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

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving muscle strength and coordination is essential for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Black Jack, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to loosen and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle movements into routine activities

The exercises your Black Jack, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your unique needs, but will all be aimed at retraining your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your current health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may begin with you lying down on your back and progress to seated 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 massaging specific areas of your pelvis. It may include myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (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 makes use of a device to gauge and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you learn how to manage and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they contract and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and relax the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle integration and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to mark off – it also gives you access to skilled, evidence-based insights that improve your daily life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:

• Adjustments to your eating habits
• Liquid control
• Correct posture and lifting techniques
• Strategies for addressing constipation
• Any other tips for a more wholesome daily life and lifestyle

Complementing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and general 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 Black Jack, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in providing individualized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Black Jack, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting beneficial patient results. We comprehend that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a sensitive and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, empathy, and customized attention.

We also embrace the belief in offering evidence-based and comprehensive care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and cutting-edge technology to guide 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 Black Jack, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Black Jack, MO area, all devoted to achieving your ideal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Black Jack, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from leading your best life. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Black Jack, MO have a unified mission: getting you back to the things you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to get through your day, we will customize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Schedule an appointment through our website or contact the nearest location to you to start your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Black Jack, MO today.