Pelvic floor therapy in Chesterfield, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your self-esteem and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the basketball court, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, 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 Chesterfield, MO can lead to:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual function and satisfaction
• Increased self-assurance and well-being

Axes Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO specializes in designing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they enjoy most securely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and assurance in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a complex of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that constitute a supportive web-like structure at the base 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 shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several important functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps control your bladder and bowels by giving you control over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids them from descending
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides support 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 maintain 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 joining 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).

Think of the pelvic floor as a woven mesh of muscles and tissues that creates a resilient base, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding 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 poo (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 correct 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 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 incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Often feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to strain urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Erectile dysfunction and difficulty ejaculating
• 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, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Chesterfield, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you recover the joy of participating in the pursuits 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, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your Chesterfield, 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 benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Chesterfield, 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 promotes essential functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less strong or more rigid muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can assist in reducing 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 aid in readying the pelvic floor for delivery, minimizing the risk of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with giving birth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and tackling any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual satisfaction.
• Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan will not exclusively consist of monitored exercises. By providing information and instructing you in tips you can practice at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to sustain a way of life that fosters pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Chesterfield, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic health and performance. While certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate operative correction, the majority of patients in Chesterfield, MO will likely find long-lasting and meaningful improvement through non-invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Chesterfield, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Chesterfield, MO will comprise an assessment of your existing pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will emphasize implementing your tailored treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. In this appointment, your Chesterfield, MO physical therapist will spend time to familiarize themselves with you and your symptoms. They will inquire about your medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Additionally, they will conduct a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to evaluate your current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Chesterfield, MO may additionally involve an internal examination to further 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 aid in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the formulation of an suitable treatment plan to assist you in resuming the activities you cherish.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Chesterfield, MO will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will include defined goals, exercises, and anticipated 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 Chesterfield, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to loosen and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle movements into everyday tasks

The exercises your Chesterfield, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your unique situation, 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 initially start with you reclining on your back and evolve 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 myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (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 learn how to control and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they engage and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and relax the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle alignment and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

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

• Alterations to your diet
• Liquid regulation
• Appropriate body alignment and lifting techniques
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Any other recommendations for a better everyday life and way of living

Complementing the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications encourages enhanced 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 Chesterfield, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in offering personalized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Chesterfield, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a sensitive and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also hold the belief in delivering evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to inform our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we offer 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 Chesterfield, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Chesterfield, MO area, all dedicated to realizing your optimal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from leading your most life. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Chesterfield, MO have a unified mission: getting you back to the things 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 ambitions. Request an appointment through our website or contact the closest location to you to start your recovery with Axes Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO today.