Pelvic floor therapy in Bonne Terre, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your sense of self and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the field, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you require to feel like your best you again. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Bonne Terre, MO can help you achieve:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced pain and swelling
- Enhanced sexual performance and satisfaction
- Increased self-assurance and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Bonne Terre, MO specializes in developing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most safely and successfully. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or get in touch to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and confidence in your pelvic health.
How the Pelvic Floor Works
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that create a supportive hammock-like structure at the bottom 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 safeguards organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping control several basic functions.
The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:
- Helps control your bladder and bowels by providing you command over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
- Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from prolapsing
- Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
- Supports optimal sexual function
- Provides stability 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 lymphatic circulation, contributing 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 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 network of muscles and tissues that constructs a resilient base, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to maintain 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 helps you to hold in your stool (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 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 aid 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 weakened 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 relaxing and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.
Signs and Symptoms
- Difficulty 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
- Sensation of needing to push out urine or feces
- Pelvic aches
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- 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, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Bonne Terre, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you recover the joy of engaging in the pursuits you cherish 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 not the same thing as a permanent condition. With pragmatic treatment plans tailored for you by your Bonne Terre, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a pain-free existence.
Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Bonne Terre, MO include:
- Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in improving bladder and bowel control, diminish symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide better support for the pelvic organs.
- Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination promotes essential functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
- Pain management — By targeting weaker or stiffer muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can assist in reducing or eradicating the discomfort you feel 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 childbirth, decreasing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with giving birth.
- Sexual health improvement — By focusing on particular muscles and tackling any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual excitement, climax, and general sexual health.
- Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By offering education and teaching you methods you can utilize autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to maintain a routine that fosters pelvic floor wellness.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Bonne Terre, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic health and function. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate surgical correction, the majority of individuals in Bonne Terre, MO will find long-lasting and meaningful improvement through less invasive physical therapy methods.
What Bonne Terre, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Bonne Terre, MO will include an examination of your current pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment program.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Bonne Terre, MO physical therapist will take the time to get to know you and your symptoms. 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 current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Bonne Terre, MO may also involve an internal examination to better determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed instead of an internal examination.
The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will assist in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the formulation of an optimal 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 Bonne Terre, MO will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, exercises, and expected results 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 Bonne Terre, MO include:
- Kegel exercises to release and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor movement
- Stretching exercises to release tight muscles
- Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
- Functional training to include new muscle actions into daily activities
The exercises your Bonne Terre, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your particular needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your current health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may begin with you lying flat on your back and gradually advance 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 manipulating specific areas of your pelvis. It may include myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve decompression (freeing up compressed nerves), joint manipulation (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 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 align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they tighten and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and release the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle integration and command.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to cross off – it also offers you entry to expert, research-supported insights that boost your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:
- Adjustments to your nutrition
- Liquid management
- Correct posture and safe lifting methods
- Approaches for dealing with constipation
- Any other recommendations for a more wholesome everyday life and way of living
Enhancing the exercises and techniques used in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments fosters improved pelvic floor function and general well-being.
Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may incorporate therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and additional alternatives.
Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Bonne Terre, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering individualized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Bonne Terre, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a delicate and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, compassion, and customized attention.
We also hold the belief in providing evidence-based and comprehensive care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and advanced technology to shape our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present 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 Bonne Terre, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Bonne Terre, MO area, all devoted to realizing your best pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Bonne Terre, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from living your best life. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Bonne Terre, MO have a unified mission: returning you to the activities you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to navigate your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Request an appointment online or get in touch with the most convenient location to you to start your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Bonne Terre, MO today.
