What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor refers to the muscles that support your reproductive and urinary tract, including your bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. These muscles wrap around the urethra, vaginal opening, and rectum and attach to your pelvis, your tailbone and your sacrum. In addition to providing support, they also help you control bladder and bowel function.

When these muscles aren’t working as they should, they can cause pain and other symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Physical therapy can help ease pain and get you back to normal functioning.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a treatment to help address pain, weakness, and dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. The type of therapy prescribed will depend upon the symptoms you’re experiencing. Some symptoms will require relaxing and lengthening of the muscles, while others may require strengthening the muscles.

Some symptoms that can be improved with pelvic floor physical therapy are:

• Unexplained pain pelvic pain

• Pain during sex

• Urinary problems, such as incontinence, urinary frequency, painful urination, difficulty fully emptying the bladder

• Bowel problems such as bowel incontinence, straining, or experiencing pain during bowel movements

If you have any of these symptoms, pelvic floor therapy might be right for you. 

What types of doctors or physical therapists specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy?

If your doctor recommends pelvic floor physical therapy, you should make sure you work with a therapist who is specially trained in techniques that have been proven to help patients with IC, pelvic pain, and other symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic floor physical therapy techniques

When you start working with a physical therapist to address pelvic floor functioning, there are some things you can expect during your pt appointment.

At your first appointment, your therapist will likely do an assessment before deciding which types of therapy will be most effective. This assessment may include an evaluation of both external and internal muscles. You may be asked to stand, walk, and sit so the therapist can see whether you may have posture or joint issues that could be affecting the pelvic floor muscles.

Hands-on physical therapy

Most pelvic floor physical therapy is hands on, which includes both internal and external therapy. Because internal physical therapy may be difficult for some people, therapists are sensitive to the needs of every individual and will not begin with internal physical therapy until you are ready.

External physical therapy techniques include:

• Nerve release

• Trigger point therapy

• Myofascial release, also called deep tissue massage

• Skin rolling

• Joint mobilization

Internal techniques may include using a specialized instrument or a finger inside the vagina or rectum to perform trigger point therapy.

Depending on your condition, your therapist may also suggest exercises to strengthen your muscles. Your therapist will help train you on the proper way to perform this exercise.

How to choose a physical therapist

It’s important that you find a physical therapist who has knowledge and expertise in treating pelvic floor dysfunction. It’s okay to ask questions before starting therapy – in fact, it’s encouraged. You want to make sure your pelvic floor therapist is experienced with treating pelvic floor dysfunction and that you are comfortable with them.

Advanced Pelvic and Spine

Advanced Pelvic and Spine provides people experiencing pelvic pain with expert care in a comfortable environment. You will speak to a pelvic health PT who is a knowledgeable, experienced specialist who stays up to date on the latest treatment options for pelvic floor pain. If you would benefit from pelvic therapy, book an appointment today or reach out with any questions.