What is Pelvic Floor Therapy: A Guide
By Courtney Virden
Pelvic floor physical therapy helps improve the coordination and strength of the pelvic floor muscles and restore the fascia. The focus is on realigning and addressing the tone of the fascia, pelvic muscles, coordination within the pelvic floor (PF), and other areas of the body impacting it. A proper treatment plan can significantly improve someone’s quality of life and help reduce and eliminate pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is different depending on who you see and your issues. Is your PF too tight or low-tone? Are you wondering how to tell if pelvic floor is tight or weak? Does it have a combination of problems? Are you seeing an in-person pelvic health pt, or are you doing a comprehensive program on your own? Are you having menstrual issues? You might be wondering what PF therapy entails or doing a Google search for pelvic floor physical therapy near me, pelvic floor physiotherapy, pelvic floor physical therapist near me, and pelvic floor pt.
With pelvic floor therapy, what to expect has many worried for their first visit, and for some, they avoid much-needed treatment. What happens at pelvic physical therapy is nothing to be fearful of; for so many, it provides the relief that changes their lives. Many wonder is pelvic floor therapy covered by insurance? For some yes, and for others it isn’t or the patient’s portion is too costly and makes therapy feel unattainable even though it is needed. This is where at-home physical therapy is essential and can compliment in person therapy for those getting it.
What to Expect at Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
You will see a pelvic health physical therapist for internal pelvic floor physical therapy, usually for an in-office appointment. A certified pelvic floor therapist will get your medical history. The pelvic health physiotherapist will do an internal assessment to check the pelvic floor’s tone, tension, and elasticity while checking for tenderness and pain. At pelvic physiotherapy, they will manually check the fascia and muscles and apply manual release or use a pelvic wand if they find too much tension, fascial adhesions, or a trigger point. Women with vaginismus experience pain when inserting a tampon and with penetration, so internal manual work can be painful. Vaginismus exercises are typically pelvic floor relaxation exercises. Electrical stimulation is another technique that may be employed to help.
Pelvic floor manual therapy can be somewhat painful if you have fascial adhesions that need to be broken up and reorganized. A hypertonic (high-tone) PF leads to issues such as incontinence, back and tailbone pain, painful intercourse, frequent urination, constipation, inability to achieve orgasm, and more. With a low-tone pelvic floor, one might be experiencing bladder leakage, pressure in the abdomen and pelvis, and pelvic organ prolapse. What is also common is a combination. Some muscles and tissues are too tight and rigid, and some are over-stretched. Restoring proper tone and elasticity is vital. Women who have had a C-section often need a massage on the scar due to scar tissue and fascial adhesions.
Pelvic floor exercises are commonly given to women to help strengthen the muscles and teach them how to relax. Some pelvic physiotherapists do not provide exercises and do mostly internal fascial work. PF exercises help reduce and eliminate issues and prevent issues. By helping restore fascial health and breaking up adhesions through manual work or with a wand and therapeutic exercises, the muscles and fascia of the PF can be restored to become strong, toned, and responsive with appropriate tension and relaxation. Physical therapy for pelvic pain is very beneficial for those with PF dysfunction. As women age, they are more likely to develop symptoms of PF dysfunction, so PF exercises throughout a woman’s life are essential.
The Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy
The benefits of pelvic floor therapy are truly life-changing. By engaging in a comprehensive therapy program, you can experience the following:
- Eliminate Urinary Incontinence: Say goodbye to those embarrassing leaks and regain bladder control.
- Enhanced Pelvic Organ Support: Pelvic organ prolapse can be managed and even prevented with targeted PF exercises.
- Reduction or Elimination of Pelvic Pain: Whether it’s due to pregnancy, injury, or other factors, pelvic pain can be alleviated through therapy.
- Enhanced Sexual Life: Help eliminate painful intercourse, improve sexual sensations, and increase orgasmic ability.
- Fix Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Get rid of symptoms such as lower back pain, other bladder issues, constipation, bowel issues, and even diastasis recti.
What Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Entail at Home
Pelvic floor therapy benefits can happen at home with the right comprehensive program to help them realign and organize their fascia while retraining their muscles to engage and relax when appropriate. Appropriate exercises will train the muscles concentrically and eccentrically so they are strong, toned, and responsive. Being strong and training the muscles to relax is equally important.
This, paired with diaphragmatic breathing and fascial work, is helping women worldwide address their issues. Adding fascial work for internal pelvic floor therapy helps break up adhesions and scar tissue, creating healthier fascia and helping reduce and even eliminate pain. Some want to see a therapist for an evaluation and then begin a program at home when they understand their issues. While some prefer to do restorative work on their own from the beginning with the right exercise program and fascial work.
That is where the iCORE Method All Access program is unparalleled to what is available for fitness and pelvic floor training. All exercises restore your full body, not just your pelvic floor. Improving pelvic floor function, posture, and movement patterns throughout your body. Utilizing equipment that improves stability and proprioception, the workouts can create structural changes within your body. The programs come with FasciaBlasting tutorials to learn to do your fascial care. We believe in working out with a purpose and not being a slave to the gym or spending thousands on one-on-one therapy and training.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy – It is Worth It
Embrace the transformative power of exercises or pelvic floor therapy and experience the joy of renewed pelvic health. Living a life with PF issues can significantly impact one’s self-esteem and enjoyment of daily life. Invest in yourself and unlock the secrets to a strong, functional PF. If you are doing searches for “pelvic floor therapy near me,” sign up for the All Access program to start your path to a healthier, more confident you.