Pelvic floor therapy in Cedar Hill, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can affect your self-perception 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 assurance and ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you require to regain your lifestyle. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Cedar Hill, MO can help you with:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced discomfort and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual function and satisfaction
• Increased confidence and well-being

Axes Physical Therapy in Cedar Hill, MO specializes in developing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they love most safely and effectively. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or want to arrange an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that form a supportive hammock-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 important functions.

The pelvic floor has numerous functions and roles:

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you control 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 well-functioning sexual function
• Provides sturdiness and posture to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, helping to sustain 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 passageways 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 mesh of muscles and tissues that constructs a sturdy base, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a supportive sling to uphold 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 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 works to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have important roles. They assist in controlling the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the appropriate times and play a part in sexual function and pleasure by providing support to the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is weakened 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 coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are not fully finished
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Regularly feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to strain waste
• 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 affect anyone deeply, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Cedar Hill, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to assisting you regain the pleasure 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 disappointed, ashamed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Cedar Hill, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a comfortable life.

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 Cedar Hill, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in improving bladder and bowel control, diminish symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and offer better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination supports essential functioning, such as the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting weaker or more rigid muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can assist in lessening or eradicating 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 readying the pelvic floor for childbirth, decreasing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By targeting specific muscles and addressing any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual satisfaction.
• 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 tips you can practice autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and enables you to sustain a way of life that promotes pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Cedar Hill, MO who can support you in boosting your pelvic well-being and performance. While certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require surgical correction, the majority of patients in Cedar Hill, MO will likely find lasting and significant improvement through minimally invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Cedar Hill, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Cedar Hill, MO will comprise an assessment of your current pelvic floor health. The subsequent sessions will emphasize implementing your tailored treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Cedar Hill, MO physical therapist will dedicate 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 evaluate your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Cedar Hill, MO may additionally involve an internal examination to more determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed 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 support the creation of an optimal treatment plan to help you in getting back 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 Cedar Hill, MO will design a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, exercises, and anticipated results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to release and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle patterns into daily tasks

The exercises your Cedar Hill, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your specific situation, 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 initially start with you lying flat on your back and evolve to sitting and upright 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 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 rolling (lifting and rolling the skin to reduce adhesions).

Biofeedback Training

Biofeedback training employs a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand how to control and align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they tighten and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and relax 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 entrée to skilled, evidence-based insights that boost your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Adjustments to your diet
• Liquid control
• Correct body alignment and lifting techniques
• Approaches for managing constipation
• Additional advice for a healthier everyday life and way of living

Complementing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

Other pelvic floor therapy techniques may include therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and additional alternatives.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in offering personalized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Cedar Hill, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and strives to achieve positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a sensitive and difficult condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also subscribe to the belief in delivering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to shape our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present 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 considering pelvic floor therapy in Cedar Hill, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Cedar Hill, MO area, all dedicated to attaining your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Cedar Hill, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from leading your fullest life. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Cedar Hill, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the things you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it difficult to manage your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to the most convenient location to you to embark on your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Cedar Hill, MO today.