Pelvic floor therapy in Hematite, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can affect your sense of self and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the grass, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Hematite, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Hematite, MO specializes in designing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most safely and effectively. If you are interested in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our specialists, 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.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that form a supportive web-like structure at the bottom 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 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 regulate your bladder and bowels by providing you command over the squeezing and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from prolapsing
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal 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 lymphatic circulation, helping to maintain healthy tissue

Pelvic Floor Anatomy

The pelvic floor muscles extend 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 passages for the urethra (through which urine is passed), the vagina, and the anus (through which stool is passed).

Imagine the pelvic floor as a woven mesh of muscles and tissues that constructs a sturdy foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. It works like a supportive 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 feces (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 lower belly (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and helps to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have important 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 satisfaction by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised 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 unwinding 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
• Regularly feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to force out urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• 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 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 Hematite, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to assisting you recover the joy of engaging 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, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans tailored for you by your Hematite, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a pain-free existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Hematite, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in improving bladder and bowel control, reduce symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination promotes vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less strong or less flexible muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can aid in lessening or eradicating the discomfort you feel caused by 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 aid in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, reducing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on particular muscles and dealing with any underlying issues, therapy can boost sexual excitement, orgasm, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan won’t exclusively consist of guided exercises. By providing information and instructing you in approaches you can utilize at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and enables you to maintain a way of life that fosters pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Hematite, MO who can support you in boosting your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain cases of pelvic floor dysfunction may require surgical intervention, most patients in Hematite, MO will likely find sustained and substantial progress through minimally invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Hematite, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Hematite, MO will involve an examination of your existing pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Hematite, 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 current condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Hematite, MO may also involve an internal examination to more evaluate the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will assist in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the formulation of an optimal 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 Hematite, MO will design a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate precise goals, techniques, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to loosen and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into everyday activities

The exercises your Hematite, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your unique needs, but will all be aimed at rehabilitating your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you reclining on your back and progress to sitting 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 manipulating 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 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 align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you real-time feedback on how they contract and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and release the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle coordination and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

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

• Changes to your nutrition
• Fluid control
• Correct posture and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Further recommendations for a better day-to-day life and way of living

Augmenting the exercises and techniques used in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in providing individualized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Hematite, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and endeavors to achieve beneficial patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a challenging and demanding issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest 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 advanced 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 Hematite, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Hematite, MO area, all dedicated to realizing your ideal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from being your favorite version of yourself. At Axes, our devoted physical and occupational therapists in Hematite, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the activities you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to get through your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the closest location to you to commence your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Hematite, MO today.