Common Doesn’t Mean Normal
One in four women experience pelvic floor dysfunction that can lead to a host of challenges, including pain, incontinence, or prolapse. But that doesn’t mean it’s something you have to live with. Many of these issues are treatable with physical therapy (PT). We’re here to help.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur due to overactive, tight muscles as well as weak, stretched muscles. It can come about from an injury, from stress or anxiety, or from maladaptive behaviors. Dysfunction presents in a multitude of ways.
Common Conditions Treated
Consider PT if you are experiencing:
- Pain in the abdomen, pelvis, hips, back, or tailbone
- Pain during or after intercourse
- Incontinence
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Constipation
- Prolapse
- Feelings of heaviness
- Diastasis recti
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Stretching
The pelvic floor is made up of several layers of muscles. Muscles of the abdomen, back, and hips attach to the pelvis. Stretching is often used to decrease pain and improve the flexibility of overly tight muscles. Symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and constipation can also be improved with stretching.
Strengthening
It’s important to have both strength and appropriate coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. These are muscles that are often overlooked. PT will teach you how to properly use these muscles during functional activities to give you more support and confidence.
Education
Understanding your body is the first step to healing. Pelvic floor PT provides education on how your muscles, posture, breathing, and daily habits affect your pelvic health. We help you recognize what’s normal, what’s not, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Our DPTs Specialize in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Three of our physical therapists specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy. Shelbey Magee, DPT, sees patients in our Alpine Physical Therapy Clinic. Mike Bues, DPT, and Jessica Hall, DPT, see patients in our Afton and Thayne clinics.