Pelvic floor therapy in Robertsville, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical discomfort; it can impact your self-esteem and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing you from dominating on the grass, beginning parenthood, or just navigating a day with the same assurance 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 Robertsville, MO can help you experience:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced discomfort and swelling
• Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
• Increased confidence and well-being

Axes Physical Therapy in Robertsville, MO specializes in developing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they enjoy most securely and successfully. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or wish to book an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us online today or get in touch to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore control and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and fibers that create a supportive web-like structure at the base 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 external 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 avoids them from prolapsing
• Resists abdominal 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 assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymphatic circulation, contributing to maintain 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 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 web of muscles and tissues that constructs a strong foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from dropping down. It works like a supportive 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 stool (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 helps to maintain your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have crucial roles. They assist in regulating 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 diminished or becomes too tense, it results in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where you experience difficulty relaxing and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges 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 force out waste
• 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 affect anyone deeply, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Robertsville, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to assisting you regain the pleasure of participating in the activities you love most in life.

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

If you are suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, you may feel frustrated, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With practical treatment plans tailored for you by your Robertsville, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a comfortable existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, improve flexibility of, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Robertsville, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in 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 facilitates essential functioning, such as the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting weaker or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can support in reducing or getting rid of the pain you endure due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised during pregnancy and following childbirth. It can aid in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, decreasing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and tackling any underlying issues, therapy can boost sexual excitement, orgasm, and overall sexual fulfillment.
• Education and self-management — Your customized pelvic floor therapy plan won’t exclusively include supervised exercises. By providing information and guiding you in techniques you can try independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role in your own care and empowers you to sustain a routine that promotes pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Robertsville, MO who can help you in enhancing your pelvic health and performance. While some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require operative treatment, the majority of patients in Robertsville, MO will likely find sustained and substantial progress through less invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Robertsville, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Robertsville, MO will comprise an examination of your existing pelvic floor health. The subsequent sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Robertsville, 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 conduct a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to determine your present condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Robertsville, MO may also include an internal examination to better assess the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an alternative to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will aid in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and facilitate the formulation of an optimal treatment plan to assist you in resuming the activities you love.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Robertsville, MO will design a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate precise goals, exercises, and expected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to release and tighten the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle patterns into everyday tasks

The exercises your Robertsville, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your particular needs, but will all be aimed at retraining your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your present health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you lying flat on your back and gradually advance 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 mobilization (freeing up compressed nerves), joint mobilizing techniques (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 learn how to control and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they engage and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and relax the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle integration and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to cross off – it also provides you with entry to expert, science-backed insights that improve your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may advise you with:

• Alterations to your eating habits
• Liquid management
• Proper body alignment and safe lifting methods
• Tactics for managing constipation
• Additional advice for a better everyday life and lifestyle

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

Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may incorporate therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and other alternatives.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in providing customized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a committed physical therapist in Robertsville, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and strives to achieve positive patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a sensitive and demanding issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, empathy, and personalized attention.

We also embrace the belief in delivering evidence-based and holistic 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 supplement your pelvic floor therapy, including:

• Orthopedic rehab
• Sports physical therapy
• Neurological physical therapy
• Geriatric physical therapy
• Pre- or post-surgery rehab

If you are exploring pelvic floor therapy in Robertsville, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Robertsville, MO area, all committed to achieving your ideal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Robertsville, 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 physical and occupational therapists in Robertsville, 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 manage your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your ambitions. Schedule an appointment through our website or contact the closest location to you to embark on your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Robertsville, MO today.