Pelvic floor physical therapists can help with many different issues including pregnancy, postpartum, bladder/bowel incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor PT’s can provide specialized, holistic care through specific exercise prescription, internal or non-invasive examinations, thorough assessments, as well as patient education and empowerment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a good time to schedule your first visit with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Once a trimester can be a great place to start to receive education on how to stay active, modify exercise and provide pain relief. Pelvic floor PT’s can also help with reviewing optimal birth positions, labor strategies, pressure management, and overall help you feel more prepared for the big day.
Postpartum
Postpartum follow up can be scheduled as early as 2-4 weeks! You don’t need to worry about waiting until your 6-week postpartum check-up to start working on re-establishing a safe return to exercise. Pelvic floor PT’s can help to manage conditions such as diastasis recti, vaginal tearing, and pelvic floor muscle weakness through tailored exercises and education on proper body mechanics.
Bladder or Bowel Incontinence
Pelvic floor therapists can employ various strategies to effectively address bladder and bowel leakage, tailoring treatment plans to everyone’s specific needs. Examples of potential treatments for incontinence include bladder and bowel retraining, pelvic floor muscle strengthening, pelvic floor muscle relaxation, biofeedback techniques, and manual therapy. By combining these approaches, pelvic floor PT can help you regain control of your life.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can be a debilitating condition that can affect many aspects of your life. Some examples of pelvic pain include vulvodynia, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, pain with intercourse, interstitial cystitis, or trauma-related pain. Pelvic floor PT uses a comprehensive assessment, collaborative care, and specific treatments to help address both the physical and psychological aspects of pelvic pain.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic floor physical therapists offer a multifaceted approach to managing pelvic organ prolapse. Through personalized education and targeted exercises, they empower individuals to better manage symptoms, enhance pelvic floor muscle support, and prevent further progression of the condition. Additionally, they specialize in the fitting and management of pessaries, which are supportive devices inserted into the vagina to help support prolapsed organs and alleviate discomfort. By comprehensively addressing these issues, pelvic floor PT can help you effectively manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
These are just a few examples of conditions that can be addressed by a pelvic floor physical therapist. Whether you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or simply want to learn more about your pelvic floor health and the benefits of pelvic floor PT, don’t hesitate to schedule your appointment today!
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