Pelvic floor therapy in Swansea, IL. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause hurt; it can affect your self-perception and happiness. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from dominating on the grass, beginning parenthood, or just getting through a day with the same confidence and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you require to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Swansea, IL can lead to:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Swansea, IL specializes in developing customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pursuits they enjoy most safely and successfully. If you are curious in finding out more about pelvic floor therapy or desire to arrange an appointment with one of our experts, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you restore command and confidence in your pelvic health.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that constitute a supportive web-like structure at the bottom 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 manage several everyday functions.

The pelvic floor provides a number of vital functions for the body:

• Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you control over the squeezing and release of muscles
• Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from descending
• Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
• Supports well-functioning sexual function
• Provides stability 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 preserve 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 joining to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have passageways 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 web of muscles and tissues that creates a resilient base, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from descending down. It works like a supportive sling to preserve 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 maintains the urethra and rectum (pubococcygeus), and one that connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and supports 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 important roles. They assist in regulating the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the correct times and play a part in sexual function and satisfaction by supporting the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is compromised or becomes too tense, it leads to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you experience difficulty relaxing 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 urge to use the bathroom
• Sensation of needing to push out waste
• Pelvic aches
• 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 have a negative impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health, it’s important to remember that proven, evidence-backed treatment plans exist with professional physical therapy in Swansea, IL. At Axes, we offer an entire team devoted to helping you recover the joy of engaging in the pursuits 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 despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a life sentence. With pragmatic treatment plans tailored for you by your Swansea, IL physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and experience a comfortable existence.

Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The positive outcomes of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Swansea, IL include:

• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can assist in improving bladder and bowel control, diminish symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and offer 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 less resilient or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can support in lessening or eliminating the pain you feel 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 labor, minimizing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and promoting recuperation from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor connected to pregnancy and labor.
• Sexual health improvement — By concentrating on specific muscles and addressing any hidden issues, therapy can boost sexual arousal, orgasm, and general sexual gratification.
• Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan will not exclusively comprise supervised exercises. By providing information and teaching you techniques you can utilize autonomously, your Axes physical therapist helps you engage actively in your own care and enables you to sustain a lifestyle that fosters pelvic floor health.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists in Swansea, IL who can help you in enhancing your pelvic health and function. While some instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may require surgical intervention, the majority of patients in Swansea, IL will likely find sustained and meaningful progress through less invasive physical therapy methods.

What Swansea, IL Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves

Your initial pelvic floor therapy session in Swansea, IL will include an evaluation of your existing pelvic floor condition. The following sessions will focus on implementing your personalized treatment program.

Assessment and Evaluation

The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial evaluation. During this phase, your Swansea, IL physical therapist will dedicate time to familiarize themselves with you and your issues. 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 current condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Swansea, IL may also include an internal examination to better assess the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be employed rather than an internal examination.

The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will assist in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and enable the creation of an optimal 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 Swansea, IL will create a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs. This plan will include defined goals, exercises, and projected results to guide your therapy.

Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Improving muscle strength and coordination is vital for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Swansea, IL include:

• Kegel exercises to release and contract the pelvic floor muscles
• Diaphragmatic breathing to sync your breath with your pelvic floor motion
• Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
• Strengthening exercises to develop weak muscles
• Functional training to incorporate new muscle movements into daily tasks

The exercises your Swansea, IL physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your unique situation, 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 commence with you reclining 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 manipulating specific areas of your pelvis. It may include myofascial release (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 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 learn how to control and align 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 relax the muscles properly, optimizing your muscle integration and mastery.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications

Physical therapy isn’t just a catalog of exercises to mark off – it also offers you entrée to expert, evidence-based insights that enhance your day-to-day life. Your physical therapist may suggest you with:

• Changes to your eating habits
• Fluid regulation
• Correct posture and safe lifting methods
• Tactics for managing constipation
• Additional tips for a better day-to-day life and lifestyle

Augmenting the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adaptations promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and general well-being.

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

Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Swansea, IL

At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in providing personalized and caring treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Swansea, IL, our practice places our clients at the center and endeavors to obtain favorable patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as a sensitive and difficult condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the highest respect, empathy, and customized attention.

We also hold the belief in providing evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We make use of up-to-date research and cutting-edge technology to guide our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we offer a range of other physical therapy services that can complement 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 Swansea, IL, trust in Axes. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Swansea, IL area, all dedicated to achieving your optimal pelvic health.

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Swansea, IL Pelvic Floor Therapy Today

Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to hinder you from leading your best life. At Axes, our committed physical and occupational therapists in Swansea, IL have a unified mission: returning you to the activities you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it challenging to manage your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the most convenient location to you to start your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Swansea, IL today.