Pelvic floor therapy in Weingarten, MO. Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just cause pain; it can impact your self-esteem and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from returning to a favorite sport, beginning parenthood, or just getting through a day with the same assurance and ease as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With evidence-backed treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Weingarten, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and inflammation
- Enhanced sexual function and satisfaction
- Increased confidence and well-being
Axes Physical Therapy in Weingarten, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the pastimes they enjoy most securely and successfully. If you are curious in discovering about pelvic floor therapy or want to arrange an appointment with one of our physical therapusts, 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.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that create a supportive web-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 protects organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping manage several important functions.
The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:
- Helps control your bladder and bowels by providing you control over the squeezing and release of muscles
- Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from prolapsing
- Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
- Supports optimal sexual function
- Provides sturdiness and posture to the core and back
- During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and supports vaginal delivery in childbirth
- Assists in blood and lymph circulation, contributing to maintain vibrant tissue
Pelvic Floor Anatomy
The pelvic floor muscles span 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 passageways 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 base, holding the pelvic organs in place and avoiding them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to uphold 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 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 abdomen (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and works to maintain your pelvis stable.
The pelvic floor muscles have crucial roles. They help in regulating the release of urine and stool by tightening 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 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 have difficulty relaxing and aligning your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.
Signs and Symptoms
- Difficulty 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 push out urine or feces
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
- 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 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 Weingarten, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team committed to helping you recover the joy 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 disappointed, embarrassed, or despairing. But a diagnosis is not the same thing as a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Weingarten, MO physical therapist, you can reclaim control over your life and enjoy a comfortable existence.
Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can build strength in, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The advantages of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Weingarten, MO 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 supports 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 less flexible muscles and addressing trigger points, physical therapy can aid in lessening or eradicating the discomfort 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 assist in preparing the pelvic floor for labor, decreasing the likelihood of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating recovery from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to giving birth.
- Sexual health improvement — By targeting specific muscles and tackling any subsurface issues, therapy can enhance sexual excitement, orgasm, and overall sexual fulfillment.
- Education and self-management — Pelvic floor therapy is about more than just checking exorcises off of a list. By providing education and teaching you methods you can try on your own, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and enables you to maintain a way of life that promotes pelvic floor wellness.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of experienced pelvic floor therapists in Weingarten, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic well-being and function. While certain instances of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate surgical treatment, most individuals in Weingarten, MO will likely experience long-lasting and substantial progress through non-invasive physical therapy approaches.
What Weingarten, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Weingarten, MO will involve an assessment of your existing pelvic floor health. The subsequent sessions will focus on implementing your tailored treatment plan.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. During this phase, your Weingarten, 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 determine your current condition. With your consent, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Weingarten, MO may also involve an internal examination to further evaluate the strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be used rather than an internal examination.
The assessment and evaluation performed by your physical therapist will aid in recognizing the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the creation of an effective treatment plan to assist you in getting back to the activities you love.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises
Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Weingarten, 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 physical strength and balance is essential for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Weingarten, MO are:
- Kegel exercises to loosen and engage the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor motion
- Flexibility exercises to loosen tight muscles
- Resistance exercises to develop weak muscles
- Functional training to integrate new muscle patterns into everyday tasks
The exercises your Weingarten, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will change based on your specific situation, but will all be aimed at rehabilitating your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may begin with you lying flat on your back and evolve to sitting 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 working on 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 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 understand how to regulate and align your pelvic floor muscles by giving you real-time feedback on how they contract and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to contract and release the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle alignment and mastery.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a collection of exercises to cross off – it also offers you entry to skilled, science-backed insights that improve your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:
- Changes to your diet
- Liquid regulation
- Correct posture and lifting techniques
- Tactics for managing constipation
- Additional recommendations for a healthier day-to-day life and way of living
Enhancing the exercises and techniques utilized in pelvic floor therapy with these modifications fosters improved pelvic floor function and overall 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 Weingarten, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in offering individualized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a dedicated physical therapist in Weingarten, MO, our practice is focused on the client and getting positive patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can pose as a delicate and demanding condition. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, compassion, and tailored attention.
We also subscribe to the belief in offering evidence-based and holistic care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to shape 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 exploring pelvic floor therapy in Weingarten, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Weingarten, MO area, all dedicated to attaining your best pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Weingarten, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to impede you from being the best version of yourself. At Axes, our devoted physio and occupational therapists in Weingarten, MO have a unified mission: getting you back to the activities you value the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping your playing in your favorite sport or making it difficult to manage your day, we will tailor our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your ambitions. Request an appointment online or contact the closest location to you to commence your path with Axes Physical Therapy in Weingarten, MO today.
