The Advantages of Pelvic Physical Therapy

Dr. Paul MacKoul, MD
3 min readMar 16, 2023

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Pelvic physical Therapy is a therapeutic option for disorders affecting the pelvic floor, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic floor physical therapists employ a variety of procedures to restore normal function to your pelvic muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They include exercises, manual treatment, and movement coordination.

The pelvic floor is a set of muscles that go from your pubic bone (in front) to your tailbone (back). They are intricately woven with other tiny muscles, nerves, and soft tissues to produce a sling that supports the bladder, uterus, rectum, and urethra.

A weak or injured pelvic floor can cause bladder and bowel difficulties such as incontinence, painful urination, difficulty performing a bowel movement, and other symptoms. Physical therapists can address these issues by strengthening the muscles supporting your urinary tract.

Pelvic floor physical therapists employ a variety of approaches to improve your pelvic muscles, including Kegel exercises, toileting mechanics, education, and manual Therapy. They may also use biofeedback, which includes putting a tiny sensor vaginally or on your skin and utilizing electrodes to transfer information about your pelvic muscle movements to a computer. With reinforcing approaches, you can achieve voluntary control of your pelvic muscles.

Unlike traditional physical Therapy, which focuses on restoring function from the feet to the head, pelvic floor physical therapy concentrates on strengthening and alleviating difficulties with internal muscle groups. In women who have persistent pelvic discomfort and uncomfortable intercourse, this can improve bladder, rectum, and uterine function.

Pelvic Physical Therapy can also benefit males with urinary incontinence or early urination. This medication helps individuals improve bladder and bowel control while lowering their chance of rectal prolapse.

A pelvic physical therapist will examine the back, hips, abdomen, and pelvic floor muscles. She will search for tightness or weakness in these areas to establish the source of your problem.

She will treat the pelvic region using techniques like trigger point release and visceral mobilization, in addition to measuring muscle strength. She will also break up scar tissue in places producing stiffness or discomfort. She will also demonstrate exercises to help you release your hips, legs, and back stiffness.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a form of physical Therapy that focuses on the muscles, bones, and connective tissues of the pelvic region. These muscles aid in the healthy function of your colon and bladder.

Numerous disorders can result in weaker pelvic floor muscles. This can result in discomforts, and bladder or bowel disorders, such as urine urgency, constipation, and other concerns.

Your therapist may take a history of your symptoms and ask questions about how you feel in various postures and activities. This can assist them in determining the best strategy to enhance their pelvic floor function.

Your therapist will offer you some exercises to strengthen and relax your pelvic floor muscles and instructions on how to do them appropriately. You may also learn about trigger points, which are sites of stiffness in the pelvic muscles.

Biofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that employs sensors to assess changes in your body’s physiological functioning. These might include breathing patterns, skin temperature, muscular tone, and sweat gland activity.

During a biofeedback session, your physical therapist or doctor will implant a tiny sensor on your abdomen and another just within your vagina or anus. These sensors detect when you tense or relax the pelvic floor muscles that control your bladder and intestines.

Biofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that employs sensors to assess changes in your body’s physiological functioning. These might include breathing patterns, skin temperature, muscular tone, and sweat gland activity.

This input can assist you, and your PT in identifying the proper muscles to train, enhancing the outcomes of other therapies. You may perform these exercises at home between sessions to enhance your abilities and restore confidence.

Biofeedback can help people with chronic pain regain control of their bodies. It can educate individuals to manage their body’s autonomic functions actively, alleviating pain and anxiety.

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Dr. Paul MacKoul, MD
Dr. Paul MacKoul, MD

Written by Dr. Paul MacKoul, MD

Dr. Paul MacKoul, MD is an innovative and compassionate healthcare professional who puts patient needs first.

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