Pelvic Pain Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help you regain strength, flexibility and movement in your pelvic region. It may also relieve pain and enhance quality of life.
Pelvic pain can be caused by many things, including pregnancy and childbirth; however, it’s most often the result of muscle weakness or imbalance in the pelvic floor muscles. It may affect your urination, bowel movements, as well as sexual intercourse.
A pelvic floor physical therapist is a physical therapist with advanced training and experience treating people with pelvic health issues. They employ hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed exercises to restore movement, enhance quality of life, and reduce pain levels.
At your initial appointment, a pelvic floor therapist will perform an internal exam to assess the state of your muscles and joints in your pelvis. This may include testing to pinpoint the source and extent of any problems you are experiencing.
Your therapist will also inquire about your pain history and current symptoms. This data helps them decide how best to treat you.
Common treatments used in pelvic pain physical therapy include core stabilization, pelvic floor muscle exercises and deep abdominal-wall muscle exercises. Each of these treatments is tailored to your specific condition and ability to complete the exercises.
In addition to traditional treatment methods, your therapist may suggest biofeedback – which involves placing small, painless electrodes on the affected area of the body. This is an effective cure for bladder function as well as other issues with the pelvic floor.
Trigger point release and visceral mobilization are manual therapies that may be effective in relieving chronic pelvic pain. These techniques apply gentle pressure to trigger points and tight areas of tissue surrounding bladder and bowels, relieving pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the affected area.
Connective tissue release breaks up scar tissue that may be causing stiffness, desensitization, or pain in certain areas of the body. These techniques are especially beneficial for women who have experienced incontinence or urinary tract dysfunction.
Your therapist can also teach you ways to avoid situations which could aggravate your symptoms or lead to complications. For instance, it’s essential to avoid squatting or sitting with your feet up as this increases the likelihood of having a bowel or bladder leakage.
The length of time you will need to attend physical therapy varies based on the severity of your pelvic floor problems and how diligently you adhere to your treatment plan. On average, patients report seeing results after six to eight hour-long sessions.
Before beginning treatment with your physical therapist, it is essential to inform them of any medications you are taking and any diagnostic procedures performed. Doing this will allow your therapist to ensure the physical therapy you receive is suitable for you and won’t lead to any unwanted side effects.
It is essential to consult your doctor prior to beginning any treatment if you are pregnant or recently gave birth. Doing this will reduce the chance of pelvic sacroiliac joint injuries and other medical issues.
