23 May Pelvic Health at Family Practice Associates
Are you a person who is dealing with pelvic pain, urinary or bowel incontinence, urinary frequency, overactive bladder, difficulty voiding, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), sexual dysfunction, or weakness of the low back, hips, and pelvis?
Pelvic dysfunction may occur due to changes in hormone levels post-menopause or post-hysterectomy, chronic constipation, abdominal surgery, bladder repair, prostate surgery, hypertonic pelvic floor, childbirth or cesarean section, trauma, fall, or injury to the back and/or pelvic girdle. Physical Therapy is a conservative treatment option for many pelvic floor disorders. In a private treatment room, your FPA physical therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation including thorough history and physical examination. The physical therapist may observe your posture, body alignment, and how you move. Tests of balance, strength, coordination, flexibility, range of motion, and sensation are common. It is necessary to examine the pelvic structures. An external assessment of the hips, pelvic girdle, and superficial pelvic floor muscles will help to determine the cause of your symptoms. Because the pelvic floor is a private area, your therapist will only perform an internal examination with explicit consent. Internal assessment of the deep pelvic floor and soft tissues can provide important information about strength, muscle coordination, reflexes, symmetry and bulk, muscle tension, pain, tenderness, and the presence of prolapse.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a program of functional re-training to improve muscle strength, endurance, power, and relaxation. Emphasis is placed on education, body awareness, and hands-on tissue manipulation. Your provider has completed specialized training for assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor. The physical therapist at FPA can address and/or provide:
- Bladder re-training
- Lifestyle, diet, and activity modifications
- Tips to induce a bowel movement
- Pain management (modalities, Home TENS, de-sensitization)
- Let-down techniques
- Manual therapy techniques (soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, muscle energy, joint mobilization, visceral mobilization)
- Fascial health
- Recommend appropriate prosthetic devices
- Home Exercise Program
If you are interested in learning more about how Physical Therapy can improve your symptoms and quality of life, please contact your Family Practice Associates care provider for a referral.