Pelvic floor therapy in Murphy, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can affect your self-perception and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from getting back to a beloved activity, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence 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 Murphy, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Murphy, MO specializes in developing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they love most safely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or desire to book an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, 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.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that constitute 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 protects 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 manage your bladder and bowels by giving you authority over the contraction and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from prolapsing
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports healthy sexual function
• Provides sturdiness and posture to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, helping 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 openings 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 web of muscles and tissues that forms a strong foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. It works like a supportive sling to preserve 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 supports 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 works to maintain your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They aid in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the right times and contribute in sexual function and satisfaction by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised 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
• Feeling like you need to strain urine or feces
• Pelvic aches
• Pain during sex
• 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 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 Murphy, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you regain the joy of engaging in the things 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, embarrassed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is far from a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your Murphy, 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 benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Murphy, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help improving bladder and bowel control, alleviate symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination promotes essential functioning, such as the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less strong or less flexible muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can assist in reducing or eliminating the pain 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, reducing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and dealing with any hidden issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual fulfillment.
• Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan will not solely comprise supervised exercises. By providing education and teaching you techniques you can practice at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a routine that fosters pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Murphy, MO who can support you in enhancing your pelvic health and function. Although some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction may require operative correction, the majority of individuals in Murphy, MO will likely experience sustained and substantial improvement through non-invasive physical therapy methods.

What Murphy, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Murphy, MO will include an examination of your existing pelvic floor health. The following 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 Murphy, MO physical therapist will spend time to understand 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 present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Murphy, MO may additionally include an internal examination to further determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation carried out by your physical therapist will aid in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the creation of an optimal treatment plan to help you in resuming the activities you cherish.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Murphy, MO will create a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will include specific goals, exercises, and expected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to loosen and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to release tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into routine activities

The exercises your Murphy, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your particular needs, but will all be aimed at retraining your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence 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 massaging specific areas of your pelvis. It may include trigger point therapy (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (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 manage and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they tighten 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 catalog of exercises to complete – it also provides you with entry to skilled, research-supported insights that improve your everyday life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Adjustments to your nutrition
• Liquid control
• Appropriate posture and lifting techniques
• Strategies for addressing constipation
• Further recommendations for a healthier everyday life and lifestyle

Complementing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications encourages 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 Murphy, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in offering personalized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Murphy, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and endeavors to attain positive 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 greatest respect, empathy, and personalized attention.

We also subscribe to the belief in offering evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We employ up-to-date research and cutting-edge technology to guide our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we offer 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 considering pelvic floor therapy in Murphy, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Murphy, MO area, all devoted to realizing your ideal pelvic health.

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

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from living your fullest life. At Axes, our devoted physio and occupational therapists in Murphy, MO have a unified mission: returning you to the activities you treasure the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your participation 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 goals. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the most convenient location to you to commence your recovery with Axes Physical Therapy in Murphy, MO today.