Pelvic floor therapy in Maryknoll, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can impact your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the grass, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, 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 Maryknoll, MO can help you with:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO specializes in designing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most safely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or desire to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or get in touch to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and confidence in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that form a supportive net-like structure at the base 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 basic functions.

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

• 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 well-functioning sexual function
• Provides sturdiness and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands 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 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 passageways or canals 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 constructs a strong foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from descending down. It works like a reinforcing 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 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 supports the organs inside your lower belly (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and helps to maintain your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have crucial roles. They help in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the appropriate times and contribute in sexual function and satisfaction by providing support to 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 is a condition where you experience difficulty relaxing and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Trouble urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Regularly feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to push out waste
• Pelvic pain
• 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 doesn’t just affect people of a single certain 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 Maryknoll, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you recover the joy of engaging in the things 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 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 Maryknoll, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a pain-free existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Maryknoll, 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 provide 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 weaker or more rigid muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can assist in reducing or eliminating the pain you endure resulting from 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, minimizing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and addressing any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, orgasm, and general sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By offering information and teaching you methods you can practice at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to sustain a lifestyle that promotes pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Maryknoll, MO who can assist you in enhancing your pelvic health and function. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might necessitate operative correction, the majority of patients in Maryknoll, MO will likely experience lasting and substantial progress through non-invasive physical therapy methods.

What Maryknoll, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Maryknoll, MO will involve an assessment of your existing pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will center around implementing your personalized treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Maryknoll, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to familiarize themselves with you and your issues. They will ask 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 current condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Maryknoll, MO may additionally include an internal examination to further evaluate the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized as an substitute to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will aid in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the creation of an optimal treatment plan to assist you in getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Maryknoll, MO will create 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 muscle strength and balance is crucial for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Maryknoll, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to loosen and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle movements into routine activities

The exercises your Maryknoll, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your unique 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 initially start with you lying down on your back and progress to seated and upright 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 release (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 utilizes a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you learn how to regulate and align 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 catalog of exercises to mark off – it also provides you with entrée to expert, research-supported insights that boost your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Changes to your eating habits
• Fluid control
• Proper posture and safe lifting methods
• Tactics for addressing constipation
• Any other recommendations for a healthier everyday life and lifestyle

Complementing the exercises and techniques used in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and overall well-being.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering individualized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Maryknoll, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and strives to obtain positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a challenging and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, empathy, and customized attention.

We also embrace the belief in providing evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to shape our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we offer 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 Maryknoll, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Maryknoll, MO area, all devoted to achieving your best pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from leading your fullest life. At Axes, our dedicated physio and occupational therapists in Maryknoll, MO have a sole mission: getting you back to the activities you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it demanding to navigate your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your aspirations. Request an appointment through our website or get in touch with the nearest location to you to commence your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO today.