Pelvic floor therapy in Kimmswick, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your self-esteem and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the grass, beginning parenthood, 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 Kimmswick, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Kimmswick, MO specializes in designing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they enjoy most securely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to arrange 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 restore control and confidence in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that form a supportive hammock-like structure at the base of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a foundation for the organs in the pelvic region, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping control several everyday functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by giving you control over the squeezing and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from descending
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides support 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 maintain 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 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).

Think of the pelvic floor as a woven network of muscles and tissues that forms a resilient base, 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 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 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 sustains the organs inside your abdomen (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and helps to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They aid in controlling 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 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

• Challenges urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to push 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 doesn’t just affect people of a single certain 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 Kimmswick, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you regain the pleasure of engaging in the pursuits you love 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 despairing. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With pragmatic treatment plans tailored for you by your Kimmswick, 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 positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Kimmswick, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help improving bladder and bowel control, diminish 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 weaker or stiffer muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can aid in lessening or eliminating the pain you feel 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 delivery, minimizing the chance of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting healing 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, climax, and general sexual fulfillment.
• Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan will not just include monitored exercises. By providing information and instructing you in techniques you can try independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a lifestyle that fosters pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Kimmswick, MO who can assist you in boosting your pelvic health and function. While certain cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate surgical correction, most individuals in Kimmswick, MO will find long-lasting and substantial progress through less invasive physical therapy approaches.

What Kimmswick, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Kimmswick, MO will comprise an assessment of your existing pelvic floor condition. The following sessions will focus on implementing your customized treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your Kimmswick, MO physical therapist will take the time to understand you and your symptoms. 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 determine your current condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Kimmswick, MO may also involve an internal examination to further assess the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized instead of an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will aid in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an suitable treatment plan to assist 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 Kimmswick, MO will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will include precise goals, techniques, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to release and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle movements into daily tasks

The exercises your Kimmswick, 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 current health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may begin with you lying flat on your back and progress to sitting and standing 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 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 employs a device to gauge 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 real-time feedback on how they engage and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle alignment and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

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

• Changes to your diet
• Fluid management
• Appropriate posture and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Further tips for a healthier day-to-day life and way of living

Augmenting the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments promotes improved pelvic floor function and general well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in delivering individualized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Kimmswick, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting beneficial patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a challenging and demanding issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, compassion, and customized attention.

We also subscribe to the belief in delivering evidence-based and integrative 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 provide 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 Kimmswick, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Kimmswick, MO area, all devoted to attaining your optimal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from leading your best life. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Kimmswick, MO have a singular mission: returning you to the things 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 customize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or contact the nearest location to you to embark on your recovery with Axes Physical Therapy in Kimmswick, MO today.