WHAT IS PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a well-established, research-driven, specialized service effective as a first line of defence against incontinence and pelvic pain. The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that attach to the front, back, and sides of the pelvic bone and sacrum. They act like a sling to support the bladder, uterus, prostate, and rectum. They also wrap around the urethra, rectum, and vagina (in women). These muscles must be able to contract and relax appropriately in order to maintain continence as well as allow for urination, bowel movements, and in women, sexual intercourse. When these muscles have too much tension (hypertonic) they will often cause pelvic pain or urgency and frequency of the bladder and bowels. When they are low tone (hypotonic) they will contribute to stress incontinence and organ prolapse. You can also have a combination of muscles that are too tense and too relaxed.
WHAT DO PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO?
Pelvic floor physiotherapists are specially trained to diagnose pelvic floor dysfunction using internal and external manual techniques to evaluate the function of the pelvic floor muscles. They will use a variety of assessment techniques including taking a comprehensive history, performing musculoskeletal assessments, and offer an internal examination in order to best treat your pelvic floor dysfunction. They will assess your ability to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles and assess the bones and muscles of your lower back, hips, and sacroiliac joints since these joints can stress your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor physiotherapists have specialized training in pelvic floor rehabilitation using internal examination to teach the exercises.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused both by hypotonicity (weak pelvic floor muscles) and hypertonicity (tight pelvic floor muscles). Kegel exercises are not always indicated for pelvic floor problems. Sometimes they do more harm than good, and often they are not performed correctly. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help identify your unique needs and tailor a rehabilitation plan best suited for you. Remember, even though pelvic floor challenges are common, they are NOT normal. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you regain control, maximize function, and improve overall well-being and quality of life. Current research recommends that pelvic floor physiotherapy should be the first line of defense before surgical consultation for stress, urge, and mixed incontinence.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is also an appropriate and meaningful compliment to your prenatal care and postnatal recovery. Prenatally, you will gain insight into postural awareness, learn the correct way of performing pelvic floor contractions (kegels), and learn to prevent and treat incontinence, prolapse, and pain. You can also learn ways to reduce injury to your pelvic floor during labour and delivery. Pelvic floor physiotherapy should also be consulted after delivery. Whether you have had a vaginal or caesarian birth, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you recover and adjust to caring for your new baby.
WHAT DO PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPSTS TREAT?
Here is a list of the common health challenges that pelvic floor physiotherapists are qualified to treat:
Urinary and fecal incontinence
Retention and urgency
Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Pelvic organ prolapse
Chronic pelvic pain (pelvic, genital, pubic bone, and back pain)
Overactive bladder
Nocturia (waking in the night to void)
Coccydynia (tailbone pain)
Diastasis recti
Prenatal care and postnatal recovery (both vaginal and caesarean births)