Pelvic floor therapy in Murphy, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the basketball court, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and ease as before, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Murphy, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Murphy, MO specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most securely and effectively. If you are interested in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book 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 reclaim control and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that constitute a supportive hammock-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a foundation for the organs in the pelvic area, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor safeguards organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping manage several basic functions.

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

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by giving you control over the contraction and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from descending
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports optimal sexual function
• Provides sturdiness 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 extend from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone at the front, while also linking 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).

Think of the pelvic floor as a woven web of muscles and tissues that creates a strong base, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to uphold 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 feces (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 works to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They assist in controlling the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the correct times and play a part in sexual function and pleasure 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 occurs when 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 incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Regularly feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to force out waste
• Pelvic aches
• 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, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Murphy, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to helping you recover the pleasure of engaging in the pursuits 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 frustrated, embarrassed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your Murphy, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a pain-free life.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages 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 offer better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination promotes vitals 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 reducing or eliminating the discomfort you experience caused by pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can assist in readying the pelvic floor for delivery, minimizing the likelihood of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and addressing any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan will not solely consist of supervised exercises. By offering education and instructing you in tips you can utilize at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and empowers you to maintain a way of life that fosters pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Murphy, MO who can support you in boosting your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate operative correction, the majority of individuals in Murphy, MO will likely find lasting and substantial progress through non-invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Murphy, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Murphy, MO will comprise an assessment of your current pelvic floor health. The remaining sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Murphy, MO physical therapist will spend time to understand 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 Murphy, MO may also involve an internal examination to better evaluate the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an substitute to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will aid in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an suitable treatment plan to assist 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 tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, techniques, and expected results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to relax and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Flexibility exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to include new muscle movements into daily activities

The exercises your Murphy, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your particular needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning 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 flat on your back and evolve to sitting 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 release (freeing up compressed nerves), joint manipulation (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 understand how to control and align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they tighten and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle alignment and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to cross off – it also provides you with entry to expert, research-supported insights that boost your everyday life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Changes to your eating habits
• Liquid regulation
• Proper posture and lifting techniques
• Approaches for addressing constipation
• Any other advice for a healthier day-to-day life and lifestyle

Augmenting the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments 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 Murphy, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in offering individualized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Murphy, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting beneficial patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a delicate and difficult condition. 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 utilize 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 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 interested in trying pelvic floor therapy in Murphy, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Murphy, MO area, all committed to realizing your best 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 most life. At Axes, our devoted physical and occupational therapists in Murphy, MO have a singular mission: returning you to the activities you love the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your playing in your favorite sport or making it challenging to manage your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your aspirations. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the nearest location to you to start your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Murphy, MO today.