Pelvic floor therapy in St. Clair, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical pain; it can impact your self-perception and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from returning to a beloved sport, beginning parenthood, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in St. Clair, MO can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in St. Clair, MO specializes in developing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they enjoy most safely and effectively. If you are interested in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or desire to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, please contact us online today or get in touch to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you regain command and confidence 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 your pelvis, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor safeguards organs and your spine from external pressure while helping control several important functions.

The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:

• Helps regulate your bladder and bowels by providing you control over the contraction and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from prolapsing
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides stability and posture to the core and back
• During pregnancy, stretches to accommodate a growing fetus and assists in childbirth
• Assists in blood and lymph circulation, contributing to maintain healthy 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 passages for the urethra (through which urine is passed), the vagina, and the anus (through which stool is passed).

Imagine the pelvic floor as a woven network of muscles and tissues that creates a resilient foundation, holding the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a supportive sling to preserve 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 helps 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 works to keep your pelvis stable.

The pelvic floor muscles have essential roles. They aid in regulating the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the appropriate times and contribute in sexual function and satisfaction by providing support to the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised or becomes too tense, it results in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you experience difficulty unwinding and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for ideal function.

Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements
• Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
• Leakage of urine or feces
• Frequently feeling the need to use the bathroom
• Feeling like you need to push out urine or feces
• 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 St. Clair, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you regain the joy 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 frustrated, embarrassed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans customized for you by your St. Clair, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a pain-free life.

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 St. Clair, 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 offer better support for the pelvic organs.
• Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination facilitates vitals functioning, such as the ability to relax and contract the muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less resilient or more rigid muscles and addressing painful spots, physical therapy can support in lessening or eliminating the pain you endure 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 labor, reducing the chance of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor associated with pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on particular muscles and dealing with any subsurface issues, therapy can improve sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual health.
• Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan won’t just comprise monitored exercises. By providing education and teaching you techniques you can utilize at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you take an active role 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 St. Clair, MO who can help you in boosting your pelvic health and function. While certain cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might require operative treatment, most individuals in St. Clair, MO will likely experience sustained and meaningful progress through non-invasive physical therapy methods.

What St. Clair, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in St. Clair, MO will involve an assessment of your current pelvic floor condition. The remaining sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your St. Clair, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to familiarize themselves with 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 determine your present condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in St. Clair, MO may also include an internal examination to better determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation carried out by your physical therapist will assist in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the formulation 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 St. Clair, MO will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate precise goals, techniques, and expected results 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 St. Clair, MO include:

• Kegel exercises to release and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor movement
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle movements into routine activities

The exercises your St. Clair, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will differ based on your specific needs, but will all be aimed at rehabilitating your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your present health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may begin 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, 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 mobilizing techniques (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 employs a device to measure 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 contract and release. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to engage and release the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle alignment and control.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

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

• Changes to your nutrition
• Fluid management
• Proper body alignment and lifting techniques
• Tactics for dealing with constipation
• Any other recommendations for a better everyday life and lifestyle

Augmenting the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations encourages 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 St. Clair, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we firmly believe in delivering individualized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in St. Clair, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and aims to obtain favorable patient results. We comprehend that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a sensitive and difficult condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, compassion, and tailored attention.

We also hold the belief in delivering 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 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 St. Clair, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the St. Clair, MO area, all committed to attaining your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your St. Clair, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from being your favorite version of yourself. At Axes, our dedicated physio and occupational therapists in St. Clair, MO have a unified mission: returning you to the activities you treasure the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your participation in your favorite sport or making it difficult to navigate your day, we will customize our physical therapy treatment plan precisely to you and your aspirations. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the nearest location to you to start your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in St. Clair, MO today.