Pelvic floor therapy in Stone Meadows, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can impact your sense of self and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the basketball court, starting a family, or just getting through a day with the same confidence and comfort you used to, pelvic floor physical therapy could be what you require to feel like your best you again. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Stone Meadows, MO can help you with:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Stone Meadows, MO specializes in developing personalized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most safely and effectively. If you are interested in discovering about pelvic floor therapy or desire to book 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 reclaim command and assurance in your pelvic health.

How the Pelvic Floor Works

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that constitute a supportive hammock-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base 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 manage several everyday functions.

The pelvic floor has numerous functions and roles:

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you control over the contraction and relaxing of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and stops them from descending
• Resists abdominal pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides support and alignment 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 sustain 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 linking 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 sturdy foundation, supporting 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 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 feces (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 lower belly (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and works to maintain 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 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 results in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you have difficulty unwinding and coordinating 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
• Sensation of needing to strain urine or feces
• Pelvic discomfort
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Erectile dysfunction and trouble 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 doesn’t just affect people of a single certain age, gender or physical ability. While it can affect anyone deeply, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Stone Meadows, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to assisting you regain the joy of participating in the things 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, embarrassed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans tailored for you by your Stone Meadows, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and enjoy a pain-free life.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Stone Meadows, MO include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid 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 relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
• Pain management — By targeting less resilient or more rigid muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can assist in diminishing or getting rid of the pain you experience 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 aid in preparing the pelvic floor for labor, decreasing the risk of after childbirth 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 tackling any underlying issues, therapy can enhance sexual excitement, climax, and overall sexual satisfaction.
• Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By offering information and guiding you in methods you can try at home, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and empowers you to sustain a lifestyle that fosters pelvic floor wellness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Stone Meadows, MO who can help you in boosting your pelvic health and function. Although some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction might require operative intervention, the majority of patients in Stone Meadows, MO will likely experience lasting and significant progress through minimally invasive physical therapy methods.

What Stone Meadows, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Stone Meadows, MO will comprise an assessment of your current pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will emphasize implementing your tailored treatment plan.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Stone Meadows, MO physical therapist will spend time to get to know you and your issues. They will ask 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 current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Stone Meadows, MO may additionally include an internal examination to more determine the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used as an substitute to an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will help in identifying the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an suitable 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 Stone Meadows, MO will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will incorporate precise goals, exercises, and expected outcomes to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

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

• Kegel exercises to relax and engage the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to coordinate your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
• Resistance exercises to build up weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle movements into everyday tasks

The exercises your Stone Meadows, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change 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 begin with you lying flat on your back and evolve 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 myofascial release (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 utilizes a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you learn how to regulate 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 correctly, optimizing your muscle alignment and command.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to complete – it also offers you entry to expert, science-backed insights that improve your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Adjustments to your eating habits
• Liquid management
• Proper posture and lifting techniques
• Strategies for managing constipation
• Additional recommendations for a better day-to-day life and way of living

Enhancing the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations fosters better pelvic floor function and overall 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 Stone Meadows, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we wholeheartedly believe in providing customized and compassionate treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Stone Meadows, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting favorable patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a sensitive and difficult issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, compassion, and tailored attention.

We also hold the belief in providing evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and advanced technology to guide 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 Stone Meadows, MO, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Stone Meadows, MO area, all dedicated to attaining your ideal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Stone Meadows, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from leading your fullest life. At Axes, our devoted physical and occupational therapists in Stone Meadows, MO have a sole mission: getting you back to the activities you treasure the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it difficult to get through your day, we will customize our physical therapy treatment plan specifically to you and your aspirations. Schedule an appointment online or get in touch with the nearest location to you to start your journey with Axes Physical Therapy in Stone Meadows, MO today.