Pelvic floor therapy in Kampville, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can affect your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the grass, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and ease as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Kampville, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and swelling
- Enhanced sexual performance and pleasure
- Increased confidence and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Kampville, MO specializes in designing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are interested in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or desire to arrange an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and assurance in your pelvic health.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that create a supportive net-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 outside pressure while helping control several vital functions.
The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:
- Helps control your bladder and bowels by giving you authority over the squeezing and release of muscles
- Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids 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, helping to preserve 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 linking 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).
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 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 aid in regulating the release of urine and stool by contracting 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 diminished 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
- Regularly feeling the need to use the bathroom
- Feeling like you need to strain waste
- Pelvic aches
- Pain during sex
- 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 Kampville, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you recover the joy of engaging 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 frustrated, embarrassed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Kampville, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a comfortable life.
Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Kampville, MO include:
- Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in 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 essential functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
- Pain management — By targeting weaker or stiffer muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can support in diminishing or eliminating 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 aid in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, minimizing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with pregnancy and labor.
- Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and tackling any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, climax, and overall sexual fulfillment.
- Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan won’t exclusively consist of supervised exercises. By offering education and instructing you in methods you can utilize autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and enables you to maintain a lifestyle that fosters pelvic floor health.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Kampville, MO who can assist you in boosting your pelvic health and performance. While some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate surgical intervention, the majority of patients in Kampville, MO will likely find lasting and significant progress through non-invasive physical therapy approaches.
What Kampville, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Kampville, MO will comprise an evaluation of your existing pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment plan.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Kampville, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to familiarize themselves with 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 approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Kampville, MO may also include an internal examination to further assess the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed rather than an internal examination.
The assessment and evaluation carried out by your physical therapist will aid in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an effective treatment plan to assist you in getting back 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 Kampville, MO will design a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, exercises, and projected results 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 Kampville, MO include:
- Kegel exercises to release and contract the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
- Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
- Strengthening exercises to build up weak muscles
- Functional training to include new muscle actions into routine activities
The exercises your Kampville, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your particular 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 begin with you lying flat on your back and evolve 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 trigger point therapy (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve release (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilizing techniques (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 learn how to manage 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 contract and release the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle coordination and mastery.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to complete – it also provides you with access to professional, evidence-based insights that enhance your daily life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:
- Changes to your eating habits
- Liquid management
- Appropriate body alignment and safe lifting methods
- Tactics for dealing with constipation
- Any other recommendations for a healthier day-to-day life and lifestyle
Enhancing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations promotes improved 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 Kampville, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in offering individualized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Kampville, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting beneficial 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 utmost respect, empathy, and personalized attention.
We also embrace the belief in providing evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and advanced technology to inform our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present 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 considering pelvic floor therapy in Kampville, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Kampville, MO area, all committed to attaining your best pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Kampville, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from leading your best life. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Kampville, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the activities you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it challenging to manage your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to the nearest location to you to commence your recovery with Axes Physical Therapy in Kampville, MO today.