Pelvic floor therapy in Clearwater, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can impact your self-perception and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the field, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Clearwater, MO can lead to:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual performance and satisfaction
• Increased self-assurance and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most securely and effectively. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or want to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you regain control and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that create a supportive web-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 protects organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several everyday functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by providing you command over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids them from descending
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides stability and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and supports vaginal delivery in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymphatic circulation, helping to maintain 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 openings 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 mesh of muscles and tissues that constructs a strong base, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from descending down. It works like a reinforcing sling to preserve 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 assists 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 sustains 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 important roles. They help 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 supporting 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 have difficulty unwinding and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Frequently feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to force out urine or feces
• Pelvic aches
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• 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 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 Clearwater, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated 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 far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Clearwater, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a comfortable life.

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 Clearwater, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in improving bladder and bowel control, alleviate symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and offer better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination promotes vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting weaker or less flexible muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can support in reducing or eliminating the discomfort you endure due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised for expecting mothers and those who have just given birth. It can assist in preparing the pelvic floor for labor, reducing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and dealing with any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, orgasm, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing information and teaching you approaches you can practice autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and enables you to sustain a way of life that supports pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Clearwater, MO who can help you in boosting your pelvic health and performance. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate operative intervention, the majority of individuals in Clearwater, MO will experience sustained and meaningful improvement through minimally invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Clearwater, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Clearwater, MO will involve an examination of your current pelvic floor health. The following sessions will center around implementing your personalized treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Clearwater, MO physical therapist will take the time to get to know you and your issues. 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 Clearwater, MO may additionally involve an internal examination to better assess the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used rather than 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 facilitate the formulation of an effective treatment plan to assist you in resuming the activities you enjoy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Clearwater, MO will create a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, exercises, and expected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving physical strength and coordination is vital for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Clearwater, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to release and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into routine tasks

The exercises your Clearwater, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will be different based on your unique 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 initially start with you reclining on your back and gradually advance to sitting and upright 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 release (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 utilizes a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand how to manage and align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they contract and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle coordination and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

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

• Adjustments to your diet
• Fluid control
• Proper body alignment and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Any other advice for a healthier daily life and lifestyle

Complementing the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications promotes improved pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in offering personalized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Clearwater, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and endeavors to obtain beneficial patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a sensitive and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, empathy, and personalized attention.

We also embrace the belief in providing evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and advanced technology to guide our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we offer 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 Clearwater, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Clearwater, MO area, all devoted to attaining your best pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the activities you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it difficult to get through your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your goals. Request an appointment online or reach out to the nearest location to you to embark on your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO today.