The pelvic muscles help with bladder control, smooth bowel movements, organ support, sexual function and pain-free movements of the hips, lower back and pelvis. If the pelvic muscles are either too tight or weak, pelvic floor dysfunction occurs. Pelvic floor dysfunction can have a huge impact on quality of life, intimate relationships and should be recognized as an imperative aspect of overall health and well-being.
NOTE: Our Pelvic Health Physiotherapist treats females only.
CONDITIONS TREATED WITH PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
PELVIC PAIN:
·
Vaginismus
·
Pain with
intercourse
·
Vulvodynia
(vaginal pain)
·
Coccydynia
(tailbone pain)
·
Proctaglia
Fugax (rectal pain)
·
Chronic
Urological Pain Syndromes
·
Painful
urination or bowel movements
· Post-surgical pain (C-section, hernia repair, hysterectomy)
INCONTINENCE:
·
Urinary
or fecal incontinence
· Urinary urgency and leakage with sneezing/coughing/laughing/athletics
PREGNANCY AND POST-PARTUM:
·
Diastasis
Recti
·
Weakness
in core musculature
· Preparation for and recovery following birth (vaginal or C-section)
PROLAPSE:
· Cystocele, Uterocele, and Rectocele
UNSUCCESSFUL VOIDING:
·
Constipation
·
Increased
frequency of urination
·
Feeling
of incomplete bowel movement or the need for several bowel movements
WHAT
TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT
Your pelvic floor physiotherapy treatments will be dependent upon the findings at your initial assessment. Your assessment will involve the following:
MEDICAL
HISTORY:
You and your therapist will discuss your medical history, history of symptoms, aggravating factors, and how your current symptoms impact your daily life. This helps your therapist gain a thorough understanding of your condition and will guide the rest of the assessment.
Your therapist will explain the role and functions of the pelvic floor using a model. They will also explain how (if indicated for your condition) an internal examination would be performed, as well as the purpose of such an examination.
EXAMINATION:
After the above steps have been completed, with informed consent provided, your therapist will begin an assessment. This will begin by looking at your whole body: posture, breathing and movement patterns. Next, your therapist will assess the range of motion and strength of areas that work in conjunction with the pelvic floor (core, low back, hips, sacroiliac joints, abdomen, etc).
Your therapist will continuously check in on your comfort and willingness to proceed throughout the assessment. At any point during the external or internal examination, you can withdraw your consent and stop the examination.
During the internal examination, your therapist will leave the room, giving you time to change and get set up on the examination table as instructed. The purpose of the internal assessment is to assess the tissues of the pelvic floor including their tone, strength, coordination and endurance. An internal exam is NOT required, but this information allows your therapist to better tailor your treatment plan specifically to you. All appointments take place in our private treatment rooms.
EVIDENCE SUPPORTING PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapists who are trained in pelvic floor therapy should be the first line of treatment for stress and mixed urinary incontinence in women, before surgical interventions (Cochrane Collaboration 2014).
Pelvic floor muscle training is effective and cost-effective in reducing prolapse symptoms and should be recommended as first line treatment for prolapse (Hagen 2011).
Canadian
Physiotherapy Association & The Society of Gynecologists of Canada
recommend:
Pelvic floor muscle training with a physiotherapist is recommended to prevent urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after delivery.
Core stability training with a physiotherapist is
recommended to prevent/treat back and pelvic pain during and following
pregnancy.
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