Pelvic floor therapy in Ellisville, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your sense of self and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from returning to a favorite sport, beginning parenthood, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Ellisville, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Ellisville, MO specializes in developing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they love most securely and effectively. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or desire to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us online today or reach out 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 base of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a foundation for the organs in the pelvic area, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping manage several important functions.

The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you command over the squeezing and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from descending
• Resists belly 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 supports vaginal delivery in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymphatic 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 joining 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).

Think of the pelvic floor as a woven web of muscles and tissues that forms a resilient foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from dropping down. It works like a reinforcing sling to preserve the position and function of pelvic organs.

The primary 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 abdomen (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 correct times and contribute in sexual function and pleasure by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is diminished or becomes too tense, it leads to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where you experience difficulty unwinding and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Trouble 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 force out urine or feces
• Pelvic discomfort
• 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 can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. While it can affect anyone deeply, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Ellisville, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you recover the pleasure of participating in the activities 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 disappointed, ashamed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Ellisville, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and enjoy a pain-free existence.

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 Ellisville, 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 promotes 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 stiffer muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can aid in lessening or eradicating the pain 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 readying the pelvic floor for delivery, decreasing the chance of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on particular muscles and addressing any hidden issues, therapy can boost sexual arousal, climax, and general sexual health.
• 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 practice at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to maintain a routine that promotes pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Ellisville, MO who can help you in boosting your pelvic well-being and function. Although some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might require surgical correction, the majority of patients in Ellisville, MO will find long-lasting and meaningful improvement through less invasive physical therapy methods.

What Ellisville, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Ellisville, MO will involve an examination of your existing pelvic floor condition. The following sessions will emphasize implementing your personalized treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Ellisville, MO physical therapist will take the 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 present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Ellisville, MO may additionally include an internal examination to further evaluate the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used instead of an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will assist in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the formulation of an effective treatment plan to assist you in getting back to the activities you cherish.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

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

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to relax and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to release tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle patterns into everyday tasks

The exercises your Ellisville, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your particular situation, 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 initially start with you reclining on your back and gradually advance to seated 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 working on specific areas of your pelvis. It may include trigger point therapy (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 employs a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand how to manage and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they tighten and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and relax the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle alignment and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a catalog of exercises to mark off – it also offers you entry to expert, research-supported insights that enhance your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:

• Alterations to your diet
• Fluid regulation
• Proper posture and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for dealing with constipation
• Any other recommendations for a healthier daily life and way of living

Complementing the exercises and techniques used in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations fosters better pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering individualized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Ellisville, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting favorable patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a delicate and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also subscribe to the belief in offering evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to guide our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we provide a range of other physical therapy services that can enhance 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 Ellisville, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Ellisville, MO area, all committed to attaining your ideal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from being the best version of yourself. At Axes, our devoted physio and occupational therapists in Ellisville, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the things you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it challenging to navigate your day, we will customize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or contact the most convenient location to you to embark on your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Ellisville, MO today.