Pelvic floor therapy in Ironton, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can impact your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from returning to a beloved activity, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you require to feel like your best you again. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Ironton, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and inflammation
- Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
- Increased confidence and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Ironton, MO specializes in designing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most securely and effectively. If you are curious in discovering 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 reclaim command and confidence in your pelvic health.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that constitute a supportive web-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 safeguards 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 control your bladder and bowels by providing you command over the contraction and relaxing 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 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 lymphatic circulation, contributing to sustain 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).
Picture the pelvic floor as a woven mesh of muscles and tissues that constructs a resilient foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from descending down. It works like a reinforcing 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 poo (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 crucial roles. They aid in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the appropriate 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 compromised or becomes too tense, it leads to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you experience difficulty relaxing and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.
Signs and Symptoms
- Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements
- Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
- Leakage of urine or feces
- Frequently feeling the need 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 can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. While it can have a negative impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Ironton, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you recover the joy of participating in the things 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 despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Ironton, MO physical therapist, you can regain 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 benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Ironton, MO include:
- Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in 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 facilitates vitals functioning, such as the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
- Pain management — By targeting less strong or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can support in reducing or getting rid of the discomfort you experience resulting from pelvic floor dysfunction.
- Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can aid in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, reducing the risk of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with childbirth.
- Sexual health improvement — By targeting specific muscles and dealing with any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, orgasm, and general sexual satisfaction.
- Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing information and instructing you in approaches you can utilize on your own, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and empowers you to maintain a way of life that fosters pelvic floor health.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Ironton, MO who can support you in boosting your pelvic well-being and function. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate operative intervention, most individuals in Ironton, MO will find sustained and substantial improvement through non-invasive physical therapy approaches.
What Ironton, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Ironton, MO will include an assessment of your existing pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will emphasize implementing your personalized treatment plan.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your Ironton, 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 conduct a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to determine your current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Ironton, MO may also involve an internal examination to further assess the 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 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 cherish.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises
Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Ironton, MO will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, exercises, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.
Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Improving strength and balance is vital for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Ironton, MO include:
- Kegel exercises to loosen and contract the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
- Flexibility exercises to loosen tight muscles
- Resistance exercises to build up weak muscles
- Functional training to include new muscle patterns into routine tasks
The exercises your Ironton, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your particular needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your current health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may begin 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 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 rolling (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 coordinate your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant 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 alignment and command.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a catalog of exercises to cross off – it also gives you entry to professional, evidence-based insights that enhance your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:
- Alterations to your diet
- Fluid control
- Proper body alignment and safe lifting methods
- Strategies for addressing constipation
- Further tips for a better daily life and lifestyle
Enhancing the exercises and techniques employed 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 additional alternatives.
Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Ironton, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in delivering customized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Ironton, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting beneficial patient results. We comprehend that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a sensitive and difficult condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, compassion, and tailored attention.
We also hold the belief in providing evidence-based and comprehensive care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and cutting-edge technology to shape 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 exploring pelvic floor therapy in Ironton, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Ironton, MO area, all devoted to attaining your best pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Ironton, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from living your most life. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Ironton, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the things you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to manage 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 closest location to you to embark on your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Ironton, MO today.
