Pelvic floor therapy in O’Fallon, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can affect your self-esteem 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 ease you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you require to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in O’Fallon, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO specializes in designing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they love most securely and effectively. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or wish 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 reclaim command and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a complex of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that form a supportive net-like structure at the base of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base 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 control several important functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps control your bladder and bowels by giving you authority 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 healthy sexual function
• Provides support and posture to the core and back
• During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and assists 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 joining to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have openings 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 mesh of muscles and tissues that forms a resilient base, supporting the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from descending down. It works like a reinforcing 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 feces (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 lower belly (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 regulating the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the right times and play a part in sexual function and satisfaction 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 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 not fully finished
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to strain urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Erectile dysfunction and trouble 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 O’Fallon, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you regain the pleasure of engaging in the activities 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 far from a permanent condition. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your O’Fallon, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a comfortable life.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in O’Fallon, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help 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 supports vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting 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 diminishing or eliminating the pain you experience 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 assist in preparing the pelvic floor for labor, reducing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to giving birth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on particular muscles and tackling any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual excitement, orgasm, and general sexual satisfaction.
• Education and self-management — Your personalized pelvic floor therapy plan won’t solely consist of guided exercises. By providing information and guiding you in tips you can utilize autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and empowers you to sustain a way of life that supports pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in O’Fallon, MO who can assist you in improving your pelvic health and performance. Although certain cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might require operative correction, most patients in O’Fallon, MO will likely find long-lasting and meaningful improvement through non-invasive physical therapy methods.

What O’Fallon, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in O’Fallon, MO will comprise an assessment of your existing pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will emphasize implementing your customized treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your O’Fallon, MO physical therapist will spend 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 determine your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in O’Fallon, MO may also involve an internal examination to further determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will aid in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the creation of an effective treatment plan to assist you in getting back 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 O’Fallon, MO will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, exercises, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving strength and coordination is essential for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in O’Fallon, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to release and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle patterns into everyday activities

The exercises your O’Fallon, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change 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 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 working on specific areas of your pelvis. It may include trigger point therapy (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve release (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilization (improving the mobility of your joints), deep tissue massage (relaxing tense muscles), or skin mobilization (lifting and rolling the skin to reduce adhesions).

Biofeedback Training

Biofeedback training employs a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand how to manage and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they engage and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle integration and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to cross off – it also gives you entry to expert, evidence-based insights that improve your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Adjustments to your nutrition
• Fluid management
• Correct body alignment and lifting techniques
• Approaches for managing constipation
• Additional tips for a better everyday life and way of living

Complementing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications promotes improved pelvic floor function and general well-being.

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

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

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

We also embrace the belief in offering evidence-based and comprehensive care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and advanced technology to inform our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we present 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 considering pelvic floor therapy in O’Fallon, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the O’Fallon, MO area, all committed to attaining your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your O’Fallon, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from being the best version of yourself. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in O’Fallon, MO have a sole mission: returning you to the things you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it difficult to manage your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment through our website or get in touch with the most convenient location to you to start your path with Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO today.