Pelvic floor therapy in Shrewsbury, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can affect your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from getting back to a favorite activity, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Shrewsbury, MO can lead to:

• Improved bladder and bowel control
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Enhanced sexual function and pleasure
• Increased confidence and quality of life

Axes Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they love most securely and successfully. If you are interested in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or want to book an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you regain control and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that create 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 protects organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping control several basic functions.

The pelvic floor has numerous functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by giving you command over the squeezing and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from prolapsing
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides stability and alignment to the core and back
• During pregnancy, stretches to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymphatic circulation, helping to sustain 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 openings or canals 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 creates a resilient base, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from dropping down. It works like a reinforcing sling to maintain 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 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 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 important roles. They help in controlling the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the right 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 is a condition where you have difficulty unwinding and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Challenges urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are not fully finished
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Frequently feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to force out waste
• Pelvic aches
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Erectile dysfunction and difficulty 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 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 Shrewsbury, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you regain the pleasure of participating in the things you hold dear 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 despairing. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Shrewsbury, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a comfortable 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 Shrewsbury, 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 supports essential functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less resilient or less flexible muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can support in diminishing or eliminating the pain you endure 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 aid in preparing the pelvic floor for delivery, minimizing the likelihood of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to giving birth.
• Sexual health improvement — By focusing on specific muscles and addressing any hidden issues, therapy can enhance sexual arousal, climax, and overall sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By offering education and instructing you in tips you can practice autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a way of life that promotes pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Shrewsbury, MO who can assist you in improving your pelvic well-being and performance. Although certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate operative correction, most patients in Shrewsbury, MO will likely find sustained and meaningful progress through less invasive physical therapy techniques.

What Shrewsbury, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Shrewsbury, MO will involve an evaluation of your current pelvic floor condition. The following sessions will center around implementing your customized treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your Shrewsbury, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to understand you and your symptoms. They will ask 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 Shrewsbury, MO may also involve an internal examination to better determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used instead of 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 facilitate the development of an effective treatment plan to assist you in resuming the activities you enjoy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises

Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Shrewsbury, MO will design a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will incorporate defined goals, techniques, and anticipated outcomes 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 Shrewsbury, MO are:

• Kegel exercises to release and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Flexibility exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to integrate new muscle patterns into everyday tasks

The exercises your Shrewsbury, 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 present health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you reclining on your back and evolve to seated and standing 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 decompression (freeing up compressed nerves), joint manipulation (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 gauge and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you learn how to regulate and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles by giving you live feedback on how they contract and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and release the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle integration and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a catalog of exercises to complete – it also offers you entrée to professional, research-supported insights that boost your daily life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:

• Alterations to your eating habits
• Fluid regulation
• Appropriate body alignment and lifting techniques
• Strategies for managing constipation
• Further recommendations for a better daily life and lifestyle

Enhancing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations 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 other alternatives.

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

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

We also subscribe to the belief in providing evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and cutting-edge 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 Shrewsbury, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Shrewsbury, MO area, all dedicated to realizing your best pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Shrewsbury, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to prevent you from being your favorite version of yourself. At Axes, our dedicated physical and occupational therapists in Shrewsbury, MO have a unified mission: returning you to the things you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it challenging to get through your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or get in touch with the most convenient location to you to embark on your recovery with Axes Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO today.