Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specialized kind of physical therapy that provides treatment to the structures of the pelvic floor to help with urinary problems, fecal incontinence and constipation, painful intercourse, organ prolapse, in addition to pelvic, hip and low back pain.
Treatment may involve manual therapy to internal and/or external structures, therapeutic exercises to relieve symptoms, instruction in a progressive and ongoing home exercise program, and possibly modalities such as biofeedback.
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
I think we first need to address what the pelvic floor is, before we can understand what Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is.
The pelvic floor is essentially a “hammock for the internal organs. It consists of muscles, ligaments and layers of fascia that run from the front of the pelvis to the back, as well as side to side and diagonally. It make up the bottom of our core. There are openings in this “hammock” for the organs to pass through to allow for emptying of our waste products from our bodies. Women have the additional opening for the vagina that is designed to allow the passage of a baby, which is often nearly the size of the entire opening of the pelvis. These openings create opportunities for dysfunction of the structures of the pelvic floor.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specialized kind physical therapy specifically to treat the structures of the pelvic floor.
Who can benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Men and women of all ages who struggle with urinary problems, fecal incontinence and constipation, painful intercourse, organ prolapse, erectile dysfunction in men, and pelvic, hip and low back pain. In addition, pelvic floor PT can help:
- Women who are pregnant or have given birth. Birth can create significant trauma to the pelvic floor and essentially all women can benefit from therapy postpartum
- Men who are pre or post prostatectomy. Research has shown an earlier return of urinary continence following surgery with pelvic floor therapy.
- Men or women suffering from sciatica. The pelvic floor plays a roll in pelvic positioning and muscle tightness that may promote increased nerve irritability.
What is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist?
Following their graduation from their physical therapy program, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists have received additional specialized education in the structures of the pelvic floor and their impact on adjacent structures. This training focuses on details related to the pelvic floor anatomy and physiology, giving the therapist skills to assess the deficits that result in pelvic floor dysfunction. They receive training to perform internal and external examination of the structures of the pelvic floor that allows them to get to the root of the problem.