Pelvic floor therapy in Maryknoll, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can impact your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from returning to a beloved sport, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and ease as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you require to feel like your best you again. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Maryknoll, MO can lead to:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual performance and satisfaction
• Increased self-assurance and well-being

Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they enjoy most safely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more 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 command and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that create a supportive net-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base 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 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 prevents them from descending
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports healthy 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 stretch 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 constructs a resilient foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from dropping down. 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 stool (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 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 correct times and play a part in sexual function and pleasure by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised or becomes too tense, it leads to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where you have difficulty unwinding 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
• Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to push out urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• 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 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 Maryknoll, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to helping you recover the pleasure of participating 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 disappointed, embarrassed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a life sentence. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Maryknoll, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a pain-free existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits 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, diminish symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide 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 trigger points, physical therapy can support in diminishing or eradicating the discomfort you feel resulting from pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can assist in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, minimizing the likelihood of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to giving birth.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on particular muscles and addressing any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual satisfaction.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing education and guiding you in techniques you can try independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to maintain a routine that supports pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Maryknoll, MO who can help you in enhancing your pelvic well-being and performance. While some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require operative treatment, the majority of individuals in Maryknoll, MO will likely find lasting and significant progress through less invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Maryknoll, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Maryknoll, MO will comprise an examination of your current pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will emphasize implementing your tailored treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Maryknoll, MO physical therapist will spend time to familiarize themselves with you and your symptoms. They will ask 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 Maryknoll, MO may additionally include an internal examination to further determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed as an substitute to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation carried out by your physical therapist will assist in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an optimal treatment plan to help 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 develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will include precise goals, exercises, and expected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to release 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 develop weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into everyday activities

The exercises your Maryknoll, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will be different based on your specific 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 down on your back and gradually advance to sitting 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 myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (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 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 align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they engage and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and relax the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle coordination and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to complete – it also provides you with entry to expert, evidence-based insights that boost your daily life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:

• Changes to your nutrition
• Liquid control
• Proper posture and safe lifting methods
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Additional tips for a healthier daily life and lifestyle

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

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in providing personalized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Maryknoll, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a delicate and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, empathy, and personalized attention.

We also hold the belief in delivering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and cutting-edge 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 interested in trying pelvic floor therapy in Maryknoll, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Maryknoll, MO area, all devoted to realizing your best pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from living your best life. At Axes, our dedicated physical and occupational therapists in Maryknoll, MO have a sole 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 precisely to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the most convenient location to you to commence your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO today.