Pelvic floor therapy in Kinloch, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your sense of self and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the grass, starting a family, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to feel like your best you again. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Kinloch, 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 Kinloch, MO specializes in designing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they love most securely and effectively. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or want to schedule 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 regain control and confidence 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 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 safeguards organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several important functions.

The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by giving you authority over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from descending
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports healthy sexual function
• Provides support and posture 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, contributing to preserve vibrant tissue

Pelvic Floor Anatomy

The pelvic floor muscles stretch 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 passageways 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 network of muscles and tissues that constructs a sturdy foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a supportive sling to maintain 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 stool (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 works to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have important roles. They aid in regulating the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the correct times and play a part in sexual function and pleasure by supporting 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 have difficulty relaxing and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges 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 force out urine or feces
• Pelvic discomfort
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• 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, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Kinloch, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you regain the pleasure 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 far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Kinloch, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a pain-free 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 Kinloch, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in 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 facilitates vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting weaker or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can aid in reducing or getting rid of the discomfort you feel due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can aid in readying the pelvic floor for childbirth, decreasing the likelihood of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By targeting specific muscles and dealing with any subsurface issues, therapy can boost sexual arousal, climax, and overall sexual health.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing information and guiding you in methods you can utilize independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and enables you to sustain a way of life that supports pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Kinloch, MO who can help you in enhancing your pelvic health and function. While certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate operative intervention, the majority of patients in Kinloch, MO will likely find sustained and substantial progress through non-invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Kinloch, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Kinloch, MO will involve an assessment of your current pelvic floor health. The remaining 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 Kinloch, MO physical therapist will take the time to get to know you and your symptoms. They will inquire 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 consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Kinloch, MO may additionally involve an internal examination to more determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used instead of an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation carried out by your physical therapist will assist in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and facilitate the development 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 Kinloch, MO will create a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will include precise goals, techniques, and expected outcomes 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 Kinloch, MO include:

• Kegel exercises to loosen and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize 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 actions into daily tasks

The exercises your Kinloch, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your unique 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 commence with you reclining on your back and evolve 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 massaging 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 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 release the muscles appropriately, optimizing your muscle integration 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 professional, evidence-based insights that enhance your daily life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Changes to your eating habits
• Fluid regulation
• Appropriate body alignment and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Further recommendations for a more wholesome daily life and lifestyle

Enhancing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations promotes improved pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may incorporate therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and additional alternatives.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering personalized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Kinloch, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and aims to achieve favorable patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a delicate and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also embrace the belief in delivering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and cutting-edge 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 exploring pelvic floor therapy in Kinloch, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Kinloch, MO area, all committed to attaining your ideal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from living your most life. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Kinloch, MO have a sole mission: getting you back to the activities you love the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it challenging to navigate your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment through our website or contact the closest location to you to embark on your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Kinloch, MO today.