Pelvic floor therapy in Clearwater, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical pain; it can affect your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the field, starting a family, or just getting through a day with the same confidence and ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you require to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Clearwater, MO can help you experience:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO specializes in designing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they love most securely and effectively. If you are interested in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or desire to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore control and confidence in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that constitute a supportive net-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base 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 important functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by providing you control over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids them from prolapsing
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides sturdiness 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 lymph circulation, helping to sustain healthy tissue

Pelvic Floor Anatomy

The pelvic floor muscles span from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone at the front, while also connecting to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have channels or canals 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 web of muscles and tissues that forms a resilient foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to preserve the position and function of pelvic organs.

The main 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 maintain your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They aid in regulating the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the appropriate times and contribute 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 relaxing and aligning 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
• Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to strain urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• 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 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 Clearwater, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you recover the joy of participating 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, embarrassed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Clearwater, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a comfortable existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Clearwater, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help improving bladder and bowel control, reduce 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 less resilient or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can assist in diminishing or eradicating the discomfort you endure resulting from 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 delivery, reducing the chance of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to giving birth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and tackling any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual fulfillment.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing education and teaching you tips you can utilize autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a lifestyle that supports pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Clearwater, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic health and performance. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require surgical treatment, most patients in Clearwater, MO will likely experience long-lasting and meaningful progress through less invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Clearwater, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Clearwater, MO will include an assessment of your current pelvic floor health. The following sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your Clearwater, MO physical therapist will take the time to familiarize themselves with 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 assess your current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Clearwater, MO may additionally include an internal examination to better assess the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will assist in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an suitable treatment plan to help you in resuming the activities you love.

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 tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate precise goals, exercises, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving strength and balance 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 loosen and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle patterns into daily activities

The exercises your Clearwater, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your unique needs, but will all be aimed at retraining your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your present health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you lying down on your back and evolve 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 working on specific areas of your pelvis. It may include trigger point therapy (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (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 employs a device to measure 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 real-time feedback on how they tighten and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and relax the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle alignment and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a catalog of exercises to cross off – it also gives you access to expert, science-backed insights that improve your daily life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:

• Adjustments to your nutrition
• Fluid management
• Correct body alignment and lifting techniques
• Tactics for addressing constipation
• Additional recommendations for a healthier day-to-day life and way of living

Augmenting the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications promotes 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 more alternatives.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in offering customized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Clearwater, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting favorable patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a sensitive and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, compassion, and tailored attention.

We also embrace the belief in delivering evidence-based and comprehensive care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and advanced technology to inform 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 interested in trying pelvic floor therapy in Clearwater, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Clearwater, MO area, all committed to realizing your optimal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from leading your most life. At Axes, our dedicated physical and occupational therapists in Clearwater, MO have a unified mission: getting you back to the activities you treasure the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your participation in your favorite sport or making it challenging to manage your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your aspirations. Request an appointment through our website or contact the most convenient location to you to start your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO today.