Pelvic floor therapy in Fenton, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from returning to a beloved 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 require to regain your lifestyle. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Fenton, MO can help you achieve:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, MO specializes in developing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they love most securely and successfully. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or desire to arrange an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or get in touch to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and confidence in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that constitute a supportive hammock-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 shields organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping control several vital functions.

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

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you authority over the squeezing and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from prolapsing
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides support 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 sustain 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 connecting 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).

Picture the pelvic floor as a woven web of muscles and tissues that forms a sturdy foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to uphold 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 stool (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 sustains 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 crucial roles. They help in regulating 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 results in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where you have difficulty relaxing and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges 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
• Feeling like you need 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 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 Fenton, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to assisting 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 disappointed, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your Fenton, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a comfortable life.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Fenton, 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 supports 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 sensitive areas, physical therapy can assist in diminishing or eradicating the discomfort you experience 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 labor, minimizing the risk of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By targeting particular muscles and addressing any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual fulfillment.
• Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan won’t solely consist of guided exercises. By offering information and instructing you in methods you can practice autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a way of life that supports pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Fenton, MO who can help you in improving your pelvic well-being and performance. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require surgical intervention, most patients in Fenton, MO will find sustained and meaningful improvement through non-invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Fenton, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Fenton, MO will comprise an examination of your current pelvic floor health. The following sessions will emphasize implementing your customized treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Fenton, MO physical therapist will take the time to understand 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 present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Fenton, MO may additionally include an internal examination to better determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized as an alternative to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will help in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an optimal treatment plan to assist you in getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Fenton, MO will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will include defined goals, techniques, and projected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving physical strength and balance is crucial for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Fenton, MO include:

• Kegel exercises to loosen and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle movements into routine activities

The exercises your Fenton, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will be different based on your specific situation, 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 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 working on specific areas of your pelvis. It may include myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve decompression (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilization (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 gauge 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 tighten and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and relax the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle coordination and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to cross off – it also gives you access to professional, research-supported insights that improve your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Alterations to your eating habits
• Fluid management
• Correct posture and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for managing constipation
• Any other advice for a better everyday life and lifestyle

Augmenting the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations fosters 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 other alternatives.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in providing customized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Fenton, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and strives to achieve positive patient results. We comprehend that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a delicate and demanding 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 holistic care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to guide 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 Fenton, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Fenton, MO area, all committed to achieving your best pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from leading your most life. At Axes, our devoted physio and occupational therapists in Fenton, MO have a unified mission: returning you to the things you love the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to navigate your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Request an appointment online or get in touch with the most convenient location to you to commence your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, MO today.