Healthy Living

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: What Is It?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a particular area within physical therapy that focuses on the rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles. The therapy aims to restore normal function and prevent pelvic floor pain. Usually, it is used to treat problems related to incontinence and prolapse. Other issues it treats include adhesions from endometriosis.

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Exercises

Pelvic floor physiotherapy Burlington ON is a great way to strengthen the pelvic muscles and improve urinary continence. However, it is essential to do the exercises correctly. Performing them incorrectly can cause pain and discomfort.

A healthcare provider or physical therapist can help you find the right exercises. You can do these exercises at home or in a clinic. They may be done in sitting, lying, or standing positions.

Pelvic floor exercises can be a painless way to prevent bowel and bladder problems. Ideally, you will do them three times a day. If you have weak or injured pelvic floor muscles, you may need to do them more often.

One of the most prevalent pelvic floor exercises is the Kegel exercise. This involves isometric contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, followed by a brief hold of the breath.

Manual Techniques

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a non-invasive method of pain relief. It can be used to treat a variety of pelvic problems and to decrease the risk of chronic pelvic pain. Physical therapists use manual techniques to mobilize the soft tissue, reduce muscle tension, and increase the range of motion. They also help to improve posture and function.

Several manual techniques can be used to address pelvic floor muscles. These include trigger point release, internal and external myofascial release, joint manipulation, skin rolling, stretching, and soft tissue massage.

For a patient to benefit from manual therapies, the therapist must know how to assess and palpate the pelvic tissues, and the patient must be aware of the techniques used. This can be done through careful patient education and verbal consent. The therapist should also be able to adjust the method to meet the patient’s goals.

Movement Coordination

Pelvic floor physical therapy is an essential method of treating pelvic dysfunction. It may include exercises to strengthen weak muscles, and it can help with bowel and bladder control.

Physical therapists also use a biofeedback technique to improve the function of the pelvic floor. This technique uses a small probe inserted into a woman’s vagina to monitor her muscle relaxation. The results are then displayed on a computer screen.

Other methods include a defecating pictogram, which records the muscle activity during a bowel movement. Women who have undergone gynecological cancer may benefit from a vaginal dilator.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is generally recommended to treat incontinence, constipation, and painful intercourse. It is usually performed once a week for eight weeks. It involves a physical exam, an explanation of the anatomy of the pelvic floor, and a discussion of the quality of life.

Biofeedback

In pelvic floor physical therapy, biofeedback is a method of monitoring and retraining the muscles that control bowel and bladder function. It can be a valuable tool in treating constipation and incontinence and can be used to treat both men and women.

Pelvic floor biofeedback is a specialized form of physical therapy that uses a device to monitor the electrical activity of specific muscles. This information can help the patient learn how to relax or strengthen the muscle. The information can be provided in various ways, including visual, auditory and tactile.

Biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle retraining is an excellent technique for patients with weak or overactive muscles. When appropriately used, the feedback provides the patient with helpful information to guide them in their exercise.

Endometriosis Adhesions

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a type of therapy that can reduce endometriosis symptoms and pelvic adhesions. This form of treatment is a partnership between the patient and the therapist. It can also help to improve the mobility of the organs.

Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form in response to pelvic infection or endometriosis. The inflammation associated with endometriosis contributes to the formation of these bands. They can also occur as a result of surgery.

Endometriosis-related adhesions can have a negative effect on a woman’s quality of life. Symptoms of pelvic adhesions include pain during intercourse, constipation, and dyspareunia. These symptoms can affect a woman’s quality of life physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Many factors, including endometriosis, pelvic infections, and previous surgeries, can cause pelvic adhesions. However, endometriosis is one of the most common reasons for pelvic adhesions.