4 Clear Signs It's Time to See a Pelvic Floor Therapist
Raise your hand if you know what and where your pelvic floor is. Now, raise your hand if you know what pelvic floor therapy is. You might be surprised by the response.
It’s okay if your hand isn’t completely up—not many of us learn about pelvic health. And yet, it’s a critical aspect of overall well-being, impacting our lives from bladder and bowel control to core stability and having a healthy sex life.
Your pelvic floor refers to the muscles between your tailbone and pubic bone, which support the bladder, rectum, and, in women, the uterus. Sometimes, these muscles weaken due to aging, childbirth, or menopause, leading to uncomfortable sensations and issues. That’s where pelvic floor therapy comes in. Through different techniques, it strengthens the pelvic floor muscles so you can get back to feeling your best.
So, is pelvic floor therapy right for you? As a Pelvic Floor Occupational Therapist in the southwest Michigan region, I can help with that. I work with men, women, and children daily to help them regain control of their bodies. Here are some common signs you should consider seeing a Pelvic Floor Occupational Therapist.
1.You’re Living with Incontinence Issues
Have you noticed that since giving birth or entering menopause, you now rush to the bathroom more often? Or when you sneeze or laugh, you leak some urine without noticing it. It may be urinary incontinence if this sounds like you or someone you know. But incontinence comes in many other forms, too.
These are the different types of incontinence you may experience:
Frequent Urination or Urinary Incontinence: Urinary incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage. It can occur due to weak pelvic floor muscles, which help maintain bladder control. If you’re barely making it to the bathroom or experiencing leaks when you cough, laugh, or sneeze, it could be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help strengthen these pelvic floor muscles and improve your control.
Constipation or Bowel Incontinence: This occurs when the pelvic floor muscles either can’t hold stool in or can’t coordinate bowel movements. Difficulty with bowel movements or experiencing accidental leakage are signs that pelvic floor physical therapy may work for you. Your therapist can teach you techniques to strengthen and coordinate the muscles to reduce accidents.
Increased Urination at Night: Do you wake up multiple times to use the bathroom at night? Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help reduce the number of nighttime bathroom trips you make.
Persistent Bedwetting or Daytime Accidents: Most kids wet the bed occasionally. But when children continue bedwetting or have daytime accidents beyond the typical age range, the root cause may be pelvic floor dysfunction. Pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on gentle, effective strategies to help children gain control over their bathroom habits.
2. You’re Experiencing Pelvic Floor Pain and Discomfort
Take it from me: no provider should tell you that pelvic floor pain is a normal part of the postpartum or menopause journey. From pelvic floor physical therapy exercises and biofeedback to massages and relaxation techniques, there are tools to help reduce discomfort.
Here are just a few “pain points” that a Pelvic Floor Occupational Therapist can help with:
Persistent Pelvic Floor Pain: Chronic pain in the pelvic region can result from various conditions, including tight or weak pelvic floor muscles. This pain can be debilitating and impact your daily activities. A Pelvic Health Therapist can assess and treat the root cause of your pain, providing relief.
Unresolved Lower Back or Hip Pain: The pelvic floor muscles are interconnected with your core muscles, which support your spine and hips. If you’ve been experiencing persistent lower back or hip pain, it may be linked to your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor physical therapy can address these underlying issues and help you feel like yourself again.
Bulging or Pressure in the Pelvic Area: These are signs of pelvic organ prolapse, which occurs when the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, drop from their normal position. It can happen due to weakened support from the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor physical therapy exercises can help manage symptoms and strengthen your pelvic floor, preventing further prolapse.
3. Things Aren’t Feeling Like They Used to in the Bedroom
Are things a bit different down there when you’re intimate with your partner? Our bodies and their reactions are normal to change over time, especially as we transition through various life stages.
The important thing is that you voice your concerns. Don’t be shy. A Pelvic Floor Occupational Therapist is here to listen, especially about the following:
Pain During Sex: Experiencing pain during or after being intimate can be caused by tight or weak pelvic floor muscles, vaginal dryness, or other pelvic health issues. Different pelvic floor physical therapy techniques can help alleviate this pain and improve how you feel with your partner.
Difficulty with Sexual Arousal or Satisfaction: It’s true, both men and women can experience challenges with sexual arousal or satisfaction due to pelvic floor dysfunction. Fortunately, your therapist can help with issues such as erectile dysfunction and decreased sensation through targeted pelvic floor exercises and therapies.
4. Your Postpartum Journey Isn’t What You Expected
Your little bundle of joy has arrived, but you’re not feeling quite like yourself yet. That’s completely okay—just remember, this is not your new normal.
After all, childbirth can significantly impact the pelvic floor muscles, often leading to many of the sensations we just covered, such as pelvic floor pain, incontinence, or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area.
Fortunately, pelvic floor therapy can aid your recovery by providing exercises and strategies to help you reclaim strength, function, and confidence, supporting a smoother postpartum experience.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Makes a Difference
What if I told you there was a treatment for all of the above conditions that didn’t involve medicines or procedures but focused on your mind and body? Well, that would be pelvic floor therapy.
As a Pelvic Health Therapist serving the southwest Michigan region, my mission is to listen to what you say and the signs your body gives. From there, we build a custom therapy roadmap based on your health needs and goals using the following components:
Pelvic Floor Therapy Exercises: Whatever your current situation is, we can develop a personalized exercise program to strengthen and improve the coordination of your pelvic floor muscles. This is so much more than just Kegel exercises, which involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles to build strength and endurance. You will learn how to connect with your pelvic floor muscles!
Manual Therapy: With an occupational therapy degree and 20 years in physical rehabilitation, I use my knowledge of hands-on techniques with massage, cupping, gua sha, myofascial release, and more. These therapies are proven to help alleviate muscle tension and pain while improving pelvic floor function.
Relaxation Techniques: Mind-body strategies such as deep breathing, visualization, and mindfulness can help bridge the gap between your body and nervous system, relax muscles, and clear your mind.
Biofeedback: In my clinic, I use rehabilitative therapeutic ultrasound for biofeedback. This data provides real-time information about muscle activity, helping you become aware of your pelvic floor muscles and learn how to control them better.
Education and Empowerment: Whether you come into your session as a pelvic floor guru or you’re entirely new to this part of your body, your therapist will work with you to help you understand its ins and outs. The more you know about yourself and your symptoms, the more effectively you can advocate for your experiences.
Feel Like Yourself Again with Health Elevated
If you live with any of these signs and are in the southwest Michigan region, it may be time to receive professional help at Health Elevated. Whether you’re hoping to have the best postpartum experience, find relief from menopause symptoms, or recover your relationships by resolving pelvic pain, there’s a natural solution for you waiting here.
Begin by scheduling a no-cost consultation and take the first step towards a healthier, more confident you. During this call, I’ll listen to your concerns and answer any questions you have about the methods we use at Health Elevated. My goal is for you to feel comfortable, empowered, and supported as you embark on this new journey.
Embrace this chapter of your life and take control of your well-being with the help of our integrative approach. Contact Health Elevated now to begin your path to better pelvic health.
