In this blog, I’m going to answer some of the top questions related to the Pelvic Floor and Pelvic Floor Therapy that I get on a weekly basis. Most people have never heard of Pelvic Floor Therapy before a referral and I hope this information will help men and women who are in need to understand what the therapy can do for them and seek help so they don’t accept living with a condition that is very treatable.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of three layers of hammock-shaped muscles that extend from the tailbone to the pubic bone, inside the base of the pelvis. These muscles support the pelvic organs, the uterus, bladder, and rectum. They also support the cervix and vagina in women and the prostate in men. These muscles play an important role in maintaining bodily function.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a balance of physical exercises to strengthen the body’s core muscles, pelvic floor muscles, kegel exercises, breathing exercises, dietary recommendations, and in some cases, manual therapy techniques, all while providing patient education on the conditions pertaining to the individual’s needs.
What does a weak pelvic floor feel like?
When you have a weak pelvic floor you may experience leaking urine when laughing, sneezing, or coughing. You may not be able to make it to the toilet in time. You may pass gas when you bend over or when lifting. You may experience pain or dysfunction with intercourse.
Who needs Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Men and women can need Pelvic Floor Therapy for a variety of reasons. The key is to seek help when you need it and not suffer unnecessarily with symptoms that could be relieved with therapy.
Men and Women
Cancer types and treatments can impact the pelvic floor and how this group of muscles function and create deficits in their role in maintaining the body’s bowel, bladder and sexual function.
Women with gynecological cancers – eg: endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal. Radiation used in treatment of this cancer group may cause fibrosis, which is a hardening of the tissue that may narrow or shorten the vaginal canal. This may cause pelvic pain or pain with intercourse.
Men with prostate cancer treated with radiation or surgery for prostatectomy may develop urinary incontinence and/or erectile dysfunction.
Author: Beth Daniels – OTR, CLT-LANA, ALM
Get to know the author: Beth has been serving as an occupational therapist for 30 years, Lymphedema therapist for 22 years, Pelvic Floor therapist for 2 years. Beth specializes in cancer treatment related lymphedema, upper extremity deficits, and pelvic floor complications and diagnoses.Be sure to check out our other blog post to keep up with our clinic news
