Pelvic floor therapy in Gray Summit, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can impact your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the basketball court, starting a family, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and ease as before, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Gray Summit, MO can help you experience:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual performance and pleasure
• Increased confidence and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Gray Summit, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are interested in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or want to arrange an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you reclaim command and assurance in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that create a supportive hammock-like structure at the base 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 safeguards organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several everyday functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps control your bladder and bowels by giving you authority over the contraction and release 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 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 vibrant tissue

Pelvic Floor Anatomy

The pelvic floor muscles span 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 passageways 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 network of muscles and tissues that forms a sturdy foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from dropping down. It works like a supportive sling to maintain 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 supports the organs inside your abdomen (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and works to maintain your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They help in controlling the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the appropriate times and contribute in sexual function and satisfaction by providing support to 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 occurs when 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
• Feeling like you need to push out urine or feces
• Pelvic discomfort
• 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 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 Gray Summit, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you recover the joy 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, embarrassed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a life sentence. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Gray Summit, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a comfortable existence.

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 Gray Summit, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help improving bladder and bowel control, alleviate symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination supports vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less resilient or more rigid muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can support in diminishing or eliminating the pain you feel due to 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 childbirth, decreasing the risk of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By targeting particular muscles and dealing with any underlying issues, therapy can boost sexual arousal, orgasm, 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 guiding you in tips you can try autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and enables you to maintain a routine that fosters pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Gray Summit, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might require surgical correction, most individuals in Gray Summit, MO will experience sustained and significant progress through less invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Gray Summit, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Gray Summit, MO will comprise an assessment of your current pelvic floor health. The following sessions will center around implementing your customized treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Gray Summit, MO physical therapist will spend time to understand you and your issues. 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 assess your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Gray Summit, MO may also involve an internal examination to more determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an alternative to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will aid in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the creation of an suitable treatment plan to help you in returning to the activities you love.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Gray Summit, MO will create a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will include specific goals, techniques, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to release and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle movements into routine activities

The exercises your Gray Summit, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your unique needs, but will all be aimed at rehabilitating 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 progress to seated 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 myofascial release (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 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 manage and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you real-time feedback on how they contract and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and relax the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle coordination and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to cross off – it also provides you with entrée to expert, evidence-based insights that enhance your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Alterations to your eating habits
• Liquid management
• Appropriate body alignment and lifting techniques
• Approaches for dealing with constipation
• Further recommendations for a better daily life and way of living

Complementing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations encourages enhanced pelvic floor function and general 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 Gray Summit, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in providing personalized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Gray Summit, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting beneficial patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a challenging and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also hold the belief in offering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to shape our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present a range of other physical therapy services that can complement 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 Gray Summit, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Gray Summit, MO area, all committed to achieving your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Gray Summit, 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 Gray Summit, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the things you treasure the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to navigate your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or get in touch with the nearest location to you to commence your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Gray Summit, MO today.