Where to Go for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that stretch from your pubic bone to your tailbone. These muscles support your bladder and uterus, and they help you control your bowel movements.
If you have pelvic floor dysfunction, you may have problems with incontinence, constipation, or sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that can help treat these problems. It can also help get rid of the pain if you have it.
Dysfunction
There are several types of pelvic floor dysfunction, and each type may require a different approach to treatment. The most common type is pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. This means that the muscles of your pelvic floor are not working correctly.
Another type of pelvic floor dysfunction is pudendal nerve entrapment. This occurs when the nerve that runs from your pelvis to your genitals becomes trapped or damaged. Your doctor or pelvic floor therapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your needs.
Causes
Many different things can cause pelvic floor dysfunction. Some of the most common causes include:
- Childbirth
- Surgery
- Obesity
- Chronic cough
- Pelvic trauma
Where To Go For Pelvic Floor Therapy
If you think you might benefit from pelvic floor therapy, the first step is to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if this therapy is right for you. If it is, they can refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist.
You can also search for a pelvic floor physical therapist on your own. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has a searchable database of physical therapists. When you search for a pelvic floor physical therapist, be sure to select “pelvic health” as the area of specialty.
You can also ask your friends or family if they know of any good pelvic floor physical therapists. Once you have a few names, you can call and ask about their training and experience in treating pelvic floor dysfunction.
Therapy
Pelvic floor muscle exercises are often a part of pelvic floor therapy. These exercises can help strengthen the muscles and make them work better. Biofeedback is another type of pelvic floor therapy. This therapy uses sensors to help you be aware of your pelvic floor muscle activity. This can help you learn to control these muscles better.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can be done in a group setting or one-on-one with a physical therapist. It is often done in combination with other treatments, such as electrical stimulation or vaginal dilator therapy.
