Pelvic floor therapy in Paulina Hills, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can impact your sense of self and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the field, starting a family, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you require to feel like your best you again. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Paulina Hills, MO can help you with:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Paulina Hills, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most securely and effectively. If you are curious in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore control 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 bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base for the organs in your pelvis, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping manage several basic functions.

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

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by providing you command 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 posture 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 preserve 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 linking to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have channels 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, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from descending down. It works like a supportive sling to maintain 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 maintains the urethra and rectum (pubococcygeus), and one that connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and supports 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 important roles. They aid in regulating the release of urine and stool by tightening and relaxing at the appropriate times and play a part in sexual function and pleasure by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is diminished or becomes too tense, it leads to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you have difficulty relaxing and coordinating 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 need to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to push out urine or feces
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• 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 affect anyone deeply, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Paulina Hills, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you regain the pleasure of participating in the activities 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 despairing. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Paulina Hills, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a comfortable life.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Paulina Hills, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in 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 facilitates vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting weaker or less flexible muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can support in diminishing or eliminating the discomfort you feel due to 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 childbirth, decreasing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to childbirth.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on particular muscles and tackling any hidden issues, therapy can boost sexual arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Your personalized pelvic floor therapy plan won’t solely include guided exercises. By providing information and guiding you in methods you can utilize on your own, 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 Paulina Hills, MO who can support you in enhancing your pelvic health and performance. Although some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction might require surgical correction, most individuals in Paulina Hills, MO will experience lasting and meaningful improvement through minimally invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Paulina Hills, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Paulina Hills, MO will include an assessment 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 evaluation. In this appointment, your Paulina Hills, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to get to know you and your symptoms. 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 assess your present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Paulina Hills, MO may also include an internal examination to more determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will assist in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an effective treatment plan to help you in returning 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 Paulina Hills, MO will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate specific goals, exercises, and expected results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to loosen and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into everyday activities

The exercises your Paulina Hills, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your unique situation, 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 reclining on your back and gradually advance 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 working on specific areas of your pelvis. It may include trigger point therapy (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (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 learn how to control and harmonize 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 relax the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle integration and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

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

• Alterations to your eating habits
• Fluid regulation
• Correct body alignment and lifting techniques
• Tactics for managing constipation
• Further recommendations for a healthier everyday life and lifestyle

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

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in delivering customized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Paulina Hills, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a sensitive and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, empathy, and tailored attention.

We also hold the belief in providing evidence-based and integrative 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 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 Paulina Hills, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Paulina Hills, MO area, all dedicated to achieving your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Paulina Hills, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from being the best version of yourself. At Axes, our dedicated physical and occupational therapists in Paulina Hills, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the activities you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it challenging to get through your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your aspirations. Request an appointment through our website or contact the closest location to you to start your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Paulina Hills, MO today.