Pelvic floor therapy in Sherman, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can affect your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the field, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Sherman, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and swelling
- Enhanced sexual performance and satisfaction
- Increased self-assurance and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Sherman, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are interested in learning more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us online today or contact to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you regain control and confidence in your pelvic health.
How the Pelvic Floor Works
The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that form a supportive hammock-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 shields organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several basic functions.
The pelvic floor has numerous functions and roles:
- Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you authority over the contraction and release of muscles
- Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from descending
- Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
- Supports well-functioning sexual function
- Provides support and alignment to the core and back
- During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
- Assists in blood and lymphatic circulation, helping 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 connecting 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).
Picture the pelvic floor as a woven network of muscles and tissues that constructs a sturdy foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. It works like a supportive sling to maintain 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 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 helps to keep your pelvis stable.
The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They help in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the right times and contribute 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 is a condition where you have difficulty unwinding and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for optimal 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 force out urine or feces
- Pelvic aches
- 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 Sherman, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you regain the joy of engaging in the things 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 disappointed, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your Sherman, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim 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 Sherman, MO include:
- Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in improving bladder and bowel control, diminish 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 weaker or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can support in diminishing or getting rid of the pain you feel caused by 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 childbirth, minimizing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and helping recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to giving birth.
- Sexual health improvement — By focusing on particular muscles and addressing any underlying issues, therapy can boost sexual excitement, orgasm, and overall sexual fulfillment.
- Education and self-management — Your personalized pelvic floor therapy plan will not exclusively comprise guided exercises. By providing information and instructing you in techniques you can try independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and enables you to maintain a lifestyle that promotes pelvic floor wellness.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Sherman, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might require surgical correction, most patients in Sherman, MO will likely experience long-lasting and substantial improvement through non-invasive physical therapy approaches.
What Sherman, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Sherman, MO will involve an evaluation of your existing pelvic floor condition. The following sessions will focus on implementing your customized treatment program.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. In this appointment, your Sherman, MO physical therapist will take the time to understand you and your symptoms. 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 evaluate your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Sherman, MO may also include an internal examination to more determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed instead of 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 support the development of an effective treatment plan to assist you in getting back 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 Sherman, MO will create a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will include specific goals, techniques, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.
Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Improving muscle strength and balance is crucial for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Sherman, MO are:
- Kegel exercises to loosen and engage the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor motion
- Stretching exercises to increase flexibility in tight muscles
- Resistance exercises to develop weak muscles
- Functional training to integrate new muscle movements into routine activities
The exercises your Sherman, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your specific needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your current health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may initially start 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, involves your physical therapist using their hands to put pressure on and massage 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 makes use of a device to gauge and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you understand 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 activate and relax the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle coordination and mastery.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to mark off – it also provides you with access to skilled, evidence-based insights that boost your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:
- Alterations to your nutrition
- Fluid management
- Correct posture and safe lifting methods
- Approaches for addressing constipation
- Additional advice for a more wholesome everyday life and lifestyle
Enhancing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations promotes improved pelvic floor function and general well-being.
Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may include therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and more alternatives.
Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Sherman, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in delivering customized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Sherman, MO, our practice places our clients at the center and strives to achieve favorable patient results. We understand that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a challenging and demanding issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the utmost respect, compassion, and customized attention.
We also subscribe to the belief in offering evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to guide 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 Sherman, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Sherman, MO area, all dedicated to attaining your optimal pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Sherman, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from leading your fullest life. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Sherman, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the things you cherish 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 goals. Request an appointment through our website or get in touch with the nearest location to you to commence your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Sherman, MO today.
