Pelvic floor therapy in Desloge, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your sense of self and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the field, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Desloge, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and swelling
- Enhanced sexual performance and pleasure
- Increased self-assurance and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Desloge, MO specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they love most securely and effectively. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or want to arrange 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 reclaim command and confidence in your pelvic health.
How the Pelvic Floor Works
The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that create a supportive net-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base for the organs in the pelvic region, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several vital functions.
The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:
- Helps control your bladder and bowels by giving you control over the squeezing and release of muscles
- Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from prolapsing
- Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
- Supports optimal sexual function
- Provides stability 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, contributing to maintain 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 joining to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have channels or passages 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 web of muscles and tissues that forms a sturdy foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from descending down. 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 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 works 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 right times and play a part in sexual function and satisfaction by providing support to the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is diminished or becomes too tense, it results in pelvic floor dysfunction.
Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where 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
- Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
- Sensation of needing to push out urine or feces
- Pelvic aches
- Pain during sex
- 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 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 Desloge, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you regain the pleasure of engaging in the pursuits you love 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 permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Desloge, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and enjoy a comfortable life.
Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Desloge, 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 provide better support for the pelvic organs.
- Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination facilitates essential functioning, such as relaxing and contracting 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 reducing or eliminating the pain you feel 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 delivery, decreasing the likelihood of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to childbirth.
- Sexual health improvement — By focusing on particular muscles and tackling any hidden issues, therapy can enhance sexual excitement, climax, and general sexual health.
- Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By offering education and instructing you in approaches you can utilize at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to sustain a lifestyle that fosters pelvic floor health.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Desloge, MO who can support you in enhancing your pelvic health and function. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might require surgical intervention, most individuals in Desloge, MO will likely experience long-lasting and substantial improvement through less invasive physical therapy approaches.
What Desloge, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Desloge, MO will include an evaluation of your existing pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will center around implementing your customized treatment plan.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Desloge, MO physical therapist will take the time to familiarize themselves with you and your symptoms. 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 determine your present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Desloge, MO may also involve an internal examination to further evaluate the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized 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 effective 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 Desloge, MO will design a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, exercises, and anticipated results to guide your therapy.
Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Improving physical strength and coordination is crucial for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Desloge, MO include:
- Kegel exercises to relax and contract the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor movement
- Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
- Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
- Functional training to incorporate new muscle actions into everyday activities
The exercises your Desloge, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will be different based on your specific needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your present health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you reclining 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 trigger point therapy (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 mobilization (lifting and rolling the skin to reduce adhesions).
Biofeedback Training
Biofeedback training makes use of a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you learn how to control and align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they engage and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and release the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle alignment and command.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to mark off – it also gives you entry to skilled, evidence-based insights that enhance your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:
- Changes to your nutrition
- Fluid management
- Proper posture and lifting techniques
- Approaches for dealing with constipation
- Any other recommendations for a more wholesome everyday life and way of living
Augmenting the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments encourages enhanced 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 Desloge, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering personalized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Desloge, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and strives to achieve positive patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a sensitive and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, compassion, and personalized attention.
We also hold the belief in delivering evidence-based and integrative 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 provide 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 Desloge, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Desloge, MO area, all committed to achieving your best pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Desloge, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from being your favorite version of yourself. At Axes, our dedicated physio and occupational therapists in Desloge, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the activities you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your participation in your favorite sport or making it demanding to get through your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your ambitions. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to the nearest location to you to start your recovery with Axes Physical Therapy in Desloge, MO today.