Kelvin W. Mwangi

How Do You Know if You Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy? If you're experiencing pain around your pelvic region, having trouble executing everyday tasks, or your bladder or bowel is troublesome, you may need pelvic floor physical therapy. These are just a few of the many signs and symptoms we will discuss in this post that indicate you need this therapy. The typical treatment for most pelvic floor dysfunctions like urine incontinence or sexual dysfunction is physical therapy. But before we dive into the signs you need pelvic floor physical therapy, let's define it. What's Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy? Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized physical treatment targeting the pelvic floor's ligaments, tissues, and muscles to restore strength and mobility and reduce pain & discomfort. The therapist who performs the treatment needs specialized training. It's non-invasive (no surgery needed) since it involves physically working out your pelvic floor muscles through exercises like Kegel and other manual physiotherapy techniques. The pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues are vital in your sexual functionality, bladder & bowel control, and supporting pelvic organs like the uterus. Failure to treat pelvic floor dysfunctions may lead to serious conditions like pelvic organ prolapse (POP). *link to an article from their site explaining what's POP. I didn't find any. 7 Signs You Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Here are 7 signs and symptoms to look out for as an indication of when you need to seek pelvic floor physical therapy: 1. You're Experiencing Bowel and Bladder Issues (Including Incontinence) If you're having any of these bowel or bladder problems, it's time to seek pelvic floor physical therapy: Urine and fecal incontinence: Unwillingly leaking or passing out stool or urine when you sneeze, laugh, shout, exercise, or cough. This is caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles that can't hold back urine or stool. Pain while urinating or defecating Pain in other areas of your reproductive system when physically engaged (the pain may not indicate something serious, but if left unchecked, it can even cause chronic inflammation) Urinary and bowel urgency: An uncontrolled, rapid urge to go, but usually ends up with leakage since you can't make it to the bathroom. It can happen anytime, anywhere. It can also cause cramps. 2. You're Under Constant Pelvic Pain Any pain in your pelvic region is something to be alarmed about. If you're experiencing constant piercing pain around your pelvic area, it could mean you're suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction. It's best to seek professional medical attention and get examined by a pelvic floor physical therapist. The pain may be caused by stress from your muscles' pressure points if they are weakened or injured. The therapy will help repair the damaged tissues and ligaments, relieving pain and discomfort. 3. You're Experiencing Sexual Dysfunctions Pain during sex, low sexual desire, and inability to orgasm are common signs of sexual dysfunction. The pelvic region is responsible for hosting your sexual organs and easing mobility during intercourse, making sex fun and enjoyable. When mobility and the organs are affected by a faulty pelvic floor, sexual dysfunction is inevitable. Pelvic floor physical therapy can improve sexual functionality and enhance the experience by repairing damaged pelvic floor muscles and reducing pain. 4. You're having Pregnancy and Postpartum Problems According to Lifespan, vaginal childbirth is attributed to over 20% of new mothers experiencing pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). An article by NCBI also supports this information. Pregnancy also triggers various hormonal changes that soften the pelvic muscles, which, when combined with the baby's weight, weakens the pelvic floor, increasing the chances of PFDs. Luckily, pelvic floor physical therapy can help recover the strength of your pelvic floor muscles, tissues, and ligaments after childbirth through specific exercises. It also eliminates any pelvic pain and discomfort you may be undergoing. 5. You're Constipating 50% of patients with chronic constipation have PFDs. You may need pelvic floor physical therapy if you're struggling to empty your bowel. This is because chronic constipation is a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction. Constipation associated with PFD entails thin stool, extreme pain during excretion, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Faulty coordination between the pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal muscles causes it. Pelvic floor physical therapy takes you through a series of exercises that facilitates the relaxation of abdominal muscles to ease bowel movement. 6. You're Struggling To Complete Simple Everyday Tasks Are you having trouble bending to pick up a light load, running, getting out of bed, or standing up after being seated? Pelvic floor dysfunction can wear many faces, and this might be one. The inability to easily complete simple everyday tasks indicates that you need pelvic floor physical therapy. Strained pelvic floor muscles, tissues, and ligaments may render you immobile or cause difficulty doing easy tasks. Pelvic floor therapy helps soothe these pressure points and repair damaged tissues alleviating pain and discomfort you may be experiencing. 7. You have Leg/Feet Numbness and Poor Blood Circulation If you have insufficient blood in some part of your body (indicated by pale/yellow skin, fatigue, or coldness), it shows you have poor blood circulation. This and numbness in your feet or leg may indicate pelvic floor dysfunction. You need pelvic floor physical therapy to enhance your blood flow in and out of your pelvic organs, improving their functionality. The table below outlines the common pelvic floor dysfunctions symptoms in simpler terms: Symptoms Description Urinary incontinence Involuntary passing out of urine Fecal incontinence Involuntary passing out of stool Urinary/Fecal urgency and frequency Sudden urge to go in an abnormal frequency Painful defecation/urination Pain when excreting or urinating Sexual dysfunction Pain during intercourse or lack of sexual urge Chronic pelvic pain Discomforting constant pain in your pelvic region and lower back Constipation and painful bowel movements Difficulty passing out fecal matter accompanied by pain and discomfort Now that you know what to look out for if you suspect any pelvic floor disorders, let's review what might increase your risk of getting pelvic floor dysfunctions. The Risk Factors For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction What can increase your risk of having pelvic floor dysfunction? The table below expands on that. Risk Factor Description Pregnancy and Vaginal Childbirth They weaken your pelvic muscles Obesity Excess weight exerts unbearable pressure on the pelvic floor, weakening the muscles Pelvic surgery Scars your pelvic floor tissues hence damaging and weakening them Aging Depreciating hormones cause the pelvic muscles to sag and weaken Some medical conditions Conditions like interstitial cystitis can weaken the pelvic floor muscles Chronic coughing, sneezing, and straining Exerts damage-causing pressure on the muscles, tissues, and ligaments of the pelvic floor hence weakening it When To Seek A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy The table below outlines the typical stages of pelvic floor dysfunctions and recommends the best action. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Sign/Symptom Treatment Recommendation Minor symptoms Pelvic floor exercise, i.e., Kegels Moderate symptoms Seek a pelvic floor physical therapist for examination and diagnosis Severe symptoms Seek medical care, fast Pre- & post-natal period Pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy and after childbirth Chronic pelvic pain Work with a specialized therapist for pelvic floor physical therapy immediately Benefits of A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Getting pelvic floor physical therapy as soon as you notice the signs listed above or suspect you have a PFD is for your benefit. The therapy is highly recommended as the best remedy for any pelvic floor dysfunctions. Some of the benefits of the treatment include: It's non-invasive hence an ideal choice for those looking for surgery substitute It enhances your bladder and bowel controls It alleviates pelvic and lower back pain quickly It improves your sexual functionality It facilitates a quick, safe, and painless, postpartum recovery 3 Ways To Prevent Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Prevention is always better than cure. If you'd like to avoid experiencing chronic pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and constipation, among other painful and discomforting pelvic floor dysfunctions, here are 3 ways to do it: 1. Do Regular Pelvic Floor Exercises Pelvic floor exercises, i.e., Kegel exercises can help curb pelvic floor dysfunctions and illnesses that tag along like POP. The exercises can be done at home, in a gym, or in a facility set up and run by a pelvic floor physical therapist. These exercises involve relaxing and contracting your pelvic muscles to train them to withstand pressure to support your pelvic organs. 2. Check Your Weight Excess weight attracts a lot of health issues, including pelvic floor dysfunctions. The extra weight exerts excess pressure on your pelvic floor muscles, wearing and tearing them down, resulting in dysfunction. Try to maintain a healthy weight through strict dieting and regular workouts. 3. Use nixit Disc-shaped Menstrual Cups Instead of Pads or Tampons During periods, your estrogen levels are extremely low, which causes your pelvic floor muscles to be weak and exhausted. This can result in pelvic floor dysfunctions. The pain and straining during this period is also a contributor to PFDs. Luckily, nixit offers a great solution to ease the pressure in your pelvic organs and adds ultra-comfortability as a bonus. So how does it work? Unlike traditional menstrual products, which pressure the pelvic floor, causing irritation and pain, nixit's flexible, ultra-soft and disc-shaped menstrual cup fits snugly in your vagina. It collects all the blood without causing extra pain or discomfort. Thanks to its ultra-soft material and flexibility, you may think you have nothing in your vagina. As Eve W. says it, "Honestly, the best decision I've made, period-wise. Comfortable, easy to insert, and leak-free. I don't have to dread my period every month anymore." We also offer products to help clean your menstrual cup during and after periods, like the menstrual cup wipes, but if you'd prefer everything in one special starter pack, we recommend the nixit starter bundle! If you're just starting, our A to Z beginner guide on nixit menstrual discs will get you on your way to stress-free menstruating! If you still have more questions, don't hesitate to contact us.