Pelvic floor therapy

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a bowl-like sling of muscles spanning from the coccyx to the pubic bone. These muscles can become shortened or tight, weak, and uncoordinated like any other muscle in the body. The pelvic floor is responsible for aiding in bowel/bladder function, supporting pelvic organs, load transfer for functional activities, and sexual function. Pelvic floor therapy has been shown to be an effective conservative first-line treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic floor therapy can address:

• Bladder and bowel leaks

• Constipation

• Interstitial cystitis

• Urinary urgency and/or frequency

• Pelvic organ prolapse

• Pelvic pain

• Post-surgical scarring/incisional pain

• Pre and postnatal conditions: sacroiliac joint pain, pubic symphysis pain, sciatica, diastasis recti, etc.

• Sexual discomfort/painful intercourse

• Return to exercise postpartum or after surgery

 

Treatment includes:

• Exercises to strengthen and/or lengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and surrounding areas
• Manual therapy to improve tissue/joint mobility 
• Education and behavior modification training 
• Modalities such as heat & electrical stimulation, cupping

Note: pelvic floor therapy can include an internal vaginal assessment of the muscles of the pelvic floor in order to get the best information to move forward with treatment. However, this is NEVER mandatory and therapy will always proceed based on the patient’s comfort level.

 

Ask your provider for a referral to our outpatient therapy center!

Therapist: Erika Loney, DPT

Phone: 541-278-6610

Fax: 541-276-6524