Pelvic floor therapy in Leslie, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your self-esteem and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from returning to a beloved sport, starting a family, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and ease as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to feel like your best you again. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Leslie, MO can lead to:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
• Increased confidence and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO specializes in developing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or desire to book 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 regain control and assurance in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

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 base for the organs in your pelvis, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor safeguards organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping control several important functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by giving you control over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and avoids them from prolapsing
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides stability and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, stretches to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, contributing to preserve vibrant 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 web of muscles and tissues that creates a sturdy foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from dropping down. It works like a supportive 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 supports 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 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 right times and contribute in sexual function and pleasure by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is diminished 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 coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Trouble 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 waste
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Erectile dysfunction and trouble 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 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, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Leslie, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you recover the joy of engaging 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 hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your Leslie, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a comfortable life.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Leslie, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in improving bladder and bowel control, diminish symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and offer better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination facilitates essential functioning, such as the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less resilient or stiffer muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can support in lessening or eliminating the pain you endure resulting from 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, decreasing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and dealing with any hidden issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual health.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By offering information and guiding you in techniques you can practice autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role 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 skilled pelvic floor therapists in Leslie, MO who can support you in boosting your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might require surgical intervention, most patients in Leslie, MO will likely experience lasting and substantial improvement through less invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Leslie, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Leslie, MO will comprise an examination of your existing pelvic floor condition. The following sessions will center around implementing your personalized treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Leslie, MO physical therapist will take the time to familiarize themselves with you and your issues. 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 evaluate your present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Leslie, MO may also involve an internal examination to further evaluate the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an substitute to 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 creation of an optimal treatment plan to help you in returning to the activities you cherish.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Leslie, MO will create a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will include defined goals, exercises, and anticipated results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to relax and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle actions into routine tasks

The exercises your Leslie, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your particular situation, 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 begin with you lying down on your back and gradually advance 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 decompression (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilizing techniques (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 manage and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they contract and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and release the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle integration and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to complete – it also gives you entry to professional, research-supported insights that improve your everyday life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Adjustments to your diet
• Fluid control
• Appropriate posture and lifting techniques
• Tactics for managing constipation
• Further recommendations for a more wholesome day-to-day life and lifestyle

Augmenting the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications fosters improved pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in providing individualized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Leslie, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a challenging and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also embrace the belief in delivering evidence-based and comprehensive care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and advanced technology to shape 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 exploring pelvic floor therapy in Leslie, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Leslie, MO area, all committed to achieving your optimal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from being your favorite version of yourself. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Leslie, MO have a unified mission: returning you to the things you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it difficult to manage your day, we will customize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment online or contact the closest location to you to commence your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO today.