Pelvic floor therapy in Brentwood, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical pain; it can affect your self-esteem and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from getting back to a favorite sport, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to feel like your best you again. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Brentwood, MO can help you achieve:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
• Increased confidence and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Brentwood, MO specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most securely and effectively. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or wish to arrange 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 regain control and assurance in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

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

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by giving you authority over the squeezing and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids them from descending
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides support 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 sustain 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 linking to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have passageways or passages 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 network of muscles and tissues that constructs a resilient base, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from dropping down. It works like a supportive sling to uphold 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 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 sustains 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 crucial roles. They help in controlling the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the right 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 occurs when you have difficulty unwinding and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are not fully finished
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to force out urine or feces
• Pelvic aches
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• 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 can affect anyone, regardless of 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 Brentwood, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you recover the joy of participating in the activities 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 far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Brentwood, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a pain-free existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Brentwood, 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 facilitates 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 trigger points, physical therapy can assist in lessening or getting rid of the pain 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 labor, minimizing the risk of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and dealing with any subsurface issues, therapy can boost sexual arousal, orgasm, and general sexual satisfaction.
• Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan will not solely include guided exercises. By providing education and teaching you techniques you can practice autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a routine that supports pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Brentwood, MO who can support you in boosting your pelvic well-being and function. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate surgical treatment, the majority of individuals in Brentwood, MO will experience lasting and significant improvement through less invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Brentwood, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Brentwood, MO will involve an examination of your existing pelvic floor health. The remaining sessions will center around implementing your tailored treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your Brentwood, MO physical therapist will take the time to get to know you and your issues. 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 assess your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Brentwood, MO may additionally involve an internal examination to more determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used 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 facilitate the development of an suitable treatment plan to help you in getting back 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 Brentwood, MO will design a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, techniques, and anticipated results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to relax and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle patterns into routine tasks

The exercises your Brentwood, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your specific 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 flat 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 manipulating 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 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 contract and release the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle integration and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to mark off – it also offers you access to expert, science-backed insights that enhance your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Adjustments to your diet
• Liquid control
• Correct posture and lifting techniques
• Strategies for addressing constipation
• Further tips for a healthier day-to-day life and lifestyle

Enhancing the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications encourages better pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may involve therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and more alternatives.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering individualized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Brentwood, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and strives to attain positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a sensitive and demanding issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, compassion, and customized attention.

We also embrace the belief in providing evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to guide our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present a range of other physical therapy services that can complement your pelvic floor therapy, including:

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

If you are considering pelvic floor therapy in Brentwood, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Brentwood, MO area, all dedicated to attaining your optimal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from living your fullest life. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Brentwood, MO have a sole mission: getting you back to the things you love the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it challenging to navigate your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your aspirations. Request an appointment online or get in touch with the nearest location to you to embark on your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Brentwood, MO today.