Pelvic floor therapy in Boles, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can impact your self-perception and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from getting back to a favorite sport, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and ease as before, 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 Boles, MO can help you experience:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced discomfort and swelling
• Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
• Increased self-assurance and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Boles, MO specializes in designing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are interested 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 contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you reclaim control and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a complex of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that form 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 protects organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping manage several everyday functions.

The pelvic floor has numerous functions and roles:

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by giving you command over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from prolapsing
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides stability and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymphatic circulation, contributing to sustain 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 linking 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).

Imagine the pelvic floor as a woven web of muscles and tissues that forms a sturdy foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from dropping down. It works like a reinforcing 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 sustains the organs inside your abdomen (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and works to maintain your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have important roles. They assist in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the correct times and contribute in sexual function and satisfaction by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is diminished 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 have difficulty unwinding and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for optimal 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 force out waste
• Pelvic aches
• 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 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 Boles, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you recover the joy of participating in the things you hold dear 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 customized for you by your Boles, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a pain-free existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Boles, 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 provide better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination supports 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 sensitive areas, physical therapy can assist in lessening or eradicating the discomfort you endure 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, reducing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on particular muscles and addressing any subsurface issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, climax, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing education and instructing you in approaches you can utilize independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate 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 Boles, MO who can help you in boosting your pelvic well-being and function. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require operative treatment, most patients in Boles, MO will find lasting and substantial improvement through non-invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Boles, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Boles, MO will include an evaluation of your current pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will emphasize implementing your customized treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Boles, MO physical therapist will take the time to get to know you and your symptoms. They will ask about your medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Additionally, they will perform a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to evaluate your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Boles, MO may also include an internal examination to further determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an alternative to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will help in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the development of an optimal treatment plan to help you in returning to the activities you enjoy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Boles, MO will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, techniques, and anticipated 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 Boles, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to loosen and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle actions into daily activities

The exercises your Boles, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your particular needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you lying flat on your back and progress 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 decompression (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 employs a device to gauge and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand how to manage and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles by giving you real-time feedback on how they contract and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and release the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle coordination and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to mark off – it also gives you access to expert, science-backed insights that improve your everyday life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Adjustments to your diet
• Liquid control
• Proper body alignment and lifting techniques
• Tactics for managing constipation
• Additional advice for a more wholesome day-to-day life and lifestyle

Augmenting the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations promotes improved pelvic floor function and overall 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 Boles, MO

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

We also subscribe to the belief in offering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and cutting-edge technology to shape our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we provide 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 Boles, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Boles, MO area, all dedicated to achieving your ideal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from living your best life. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Boles, MO have a singular mission: returning you to the activities you love 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 tailor our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the closest location to you to start your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Boles, MO today.