Physical Therapy Treatments For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction In Women

Are you experiencing new worrying symptoms around your pelvic area, especially after giving birth, such as urinary incontinence, constipation, and lower back pain?

If so, you might be suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction.

However, you are not alone, because about one third of adult women have experienced some form of pelvic floor dysfunction in their lives.

Fortunately, pelvic floor physical therapy in Washington DC can help you manage these issues.

For now, let’s get some more information about this condition and what you can do about it.

What Is Your Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is made up of several muscles and ligaments in your pelvic region that support your rectum, bladder, uterus, and other organs like a sling.

The ability to contract and relax those muscles is what allows you to have control over your bowel movements, urination, and sexual intercourse.

However, the area of your pelvic floor is very delicate and can get injured easily, and this can turn into a debilitating condition called pelvic floor dysfunction.

What Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

When you suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction your muscles tend to mostly contract, so having bowel movements for example, becomes difficult.

If this condition is left untreated it can cause other problems, such as long term colon damage and infection, but thankfully pelvic floor physical therapy can help you avoid getting to that point.

What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

The exact cause of pelvic floor dysfunction is currently not known, but there are some conditions and life events that can damage the pelvic floor muscles, such as:

• Pelvic surgery
• Childbirth – post partum physical therapy often focuses on pelvic floor issues
• Obesity
• Chronic Constipation
• Traumatic injury to the pelvic region
• Nerve damage
• Menopause
• Episiotomy

If you have experienced anything from this list, make sure to contact your family doctor.

Symptoms Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

If you suspect you might have pelvic floor issues, here are the most common symptoms:

• Urinary incontinence
• Painful urination
• Bowel incontinence
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Diminished sensation in the vagina
• Tampons that drop out
• Constipation
• Lower back pain
• A lump at the vaginal opening
• A feeling of weight in the vagina
• Pressure in the pelvic region or rectum
• Pain in the pelvic region, genitals, or rectum
• Muscle spasms in the pelvis
• Hip pain
• Bowel pain

It’s worth mentioning, however, that many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions, like urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or urethritis.

So if you’re experiencing the above symptoms, it’s important to book an appointment with your Washington physical therapist or family doctor to get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and find out who best can treat them.

How Can Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Help?

If you have been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy can help.

Pelvic physical therapy can speed up your recovery from a pelvic floor injury by helping you recondition your muscles.

The main goal of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction is to help your pelvic floor muscles regain strength and functionality.

It’s important not to wait too long to find help, even if symptoms such as urinary incontinence when coughing or laughing can be managed at home, since this might mean your condition is getting worse.

During your first visit with a pelvic floor physical therapist, you will be asked about your medical history, which should include:

• Your bladder function, bowel function, and sexual function
• The type and amount of exercise you do
• History of pelvic injuries
• History of pregnancy

Your physical therapist will also do a full physical examination of your pelvic floor, which includes:

• How your pelvic floor responds to coughs, kegels, and bowel pushing
• How your pelvic floor muscles feel internally
• How your pelvic floor muscles stretch or contract

Pelvic physical therapy can:

• Help manage bladder issues, such as urinary incontinence
• Help bowel issues and abdominal pain
• Relieve postpartum issues
• Prevent pelvic organ prolapse
• Help with pain during intercourse
• Increase sexual sensation
• Relieve pelvic pain

The proper management of pelvic floor dysfunction is considered safe, but it’s also important to consult a physical therapist to make sure you’re following a routine and plan that is right for you.

Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today

Have you been dealing with the symptoms above, and wonder whether it’s a result of pelvic floor issues?

If so, Capitol Physical Therapy can help.

We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor conditions, regardless of the cause.

While these symptoms may be troublesome, there’s no reason for you to suffer – help is available.

Book your appointment today with Capitol Physical Therapy to find out how.