Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
At Everybody Physical Therapy we offer specialized programs which address issues that can arise from pelvic floor dysfunction across the lifespan. Our staff are experienced and caring, and we understand how the majority of these issues can be embarrassing and debilitating. The good news is that we have great success stories from the patients that have gone through our programs. Don't suffer in silence! You deserve to enjoy a full life and not be consumed by your symptoms.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pain Issues
Do you have painful sexual intercourse? Do you experience a heavy/pressure feeling in the pelvic area (around the vagina and rectum)? Do you avoid sex due to pain? Do you have pain in the lower abdominal or pelvic area with sitting? Are pelvic exams painful? Is it painful to wear tampons or menstrual cups? Do you have pain in the coccyx/tailbone? Do you have trouble starting your stream with urination? Difficulty emptying your bladder? Constipation? We can help! Pelvic pain issues can affect all genders. Individuals afflicted with these symptoms often suffer in silence due to embarrassment. They think these are normal changes that happen with childbirth or aging, or they are resigned to “just live with it” because they think there is nothing that can help. Don't let these reasons keep you from enjoying your life and participating in every activity you desire. We can help! Pelvic Floor PT has been shown to successfully treat these symptoms. Some of the specific diagnoses of pelvic pain include but are not limited to: Vaginismus Provoked Vestibulodynia Dyspareunia Vulvar Vestibulitis Vulvodynia Lichens Sclerosis Chronic Pelvic Pain Coccydynia Constipation Interstitial Cystitis Endometriosis
First appointment- What to expect...
Most patients have questions concerning what to expect during the initial evaluation when addressing pelvic health. Typically, the first visit is up to one hour in duration. An in-depth history is taken to understand the patient’s greatest concerns and to collect information. Patients fully participate in setting their goals and directing what they want to accomplish with pelvic floor physical therapy. Patient education is the key to success for these issues. The first visit will teach the patient about the pelvic floor and why the dysfunction is happening as well as an overview of the treatment program. Ideally a physical exam of the pelvic floor will take place on either the first or second visit. In order to properly assess the pelvic floor muscles, an internal muscle exam is encouraged. Many patients with pelvic floor dysfunction have lost the ability to properly command the muscles to contract and relax. The pelvic exam involves the physical therapist assessing the pelvic floor by gently inserting one gloved and lubricated finger into either the vagina or rectum to assess muscle tone, motor control, strength, endurance, and tenderness. Given examination results, the therapist can determine the best course of treatment specific to each individual. You are welcome to bring a significant other, family member or friend to your appointment.
Incontinence
Incontinence affects an estimated 13 million Americans every day. Reduced bladder control can affect all ages, and deteriorate to the degree that the person feels ashamed and isolated. Physical therapy can help nearly 70 percent gain bladder control. The types of incontinence related issues that physical therapy can help address are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, urgency, frequency, and fecal incontinence. The pelvic floor program at Everybody Physical Therapy has had enormous success at addressing these issues. Don't suffer in silence! Bladder problems are common but not normal. Stress incontinence is defined as urine leakage with physical stress. The most common complaints are leakage with laughing, sneezing, coughing, exercise, or activities such as lifting. Individuals with stress incontinence often have pelvic floor weakness and lack of support in the pelvic-floor muscles. Urge incontinence is defined as involuntary loss of urine associated with a strong, sudden urge to void. Individuals with urge incontinence will frequently need to rush to the bathroom and often experience loss of urine in the process. They often know where every restroom is located and worry about visiting locations where they are unsure about bathroom availability. While bladder control problems occur twice as often in women, men also experience involuntary loss of urine, particularly after prostate surgery. Physical therapy can help all genders. Treatment includes a specific exercise program including Kegel exercises. Studies have shown that up to 51% of subjects who try to perform Kegel exercises on their own do the exercise incorrectly. In fact, 25% do the exercises so incorrectly that they make their problem worse. Our therapists are experts at helping patients to correctly recruit the pelvic floor muscles and setting up a specific customized home program based on a patient's evaluation results. Our physical therapists are all specially trained to treat pelvic floor issues. Our office creates a private and comfortable space to cater to these types of issues. We make sure to have the same physical therapist working with you at each and every visit in a one-on-one environment.
First appointment- What to expect...
Most patients have questions concerning what to expect during the initial evaluation when addressing pelvic health. Typically, the first visit is up to one hour in duration. An in-depth history is taken to understand the patient’s greatest concerns and to collect information. Patients fully participate in setting their goals and directing what they want to accomplish with pelvic floor physical therapy. Patient education is the key to success for these issues. The first visit will teach the patient about the pelvic floor and why the dysfunction is happening as well as an overview of the treatment program. Ideally a physical exam of the pelvic floor will take place on either the first or second visit. In order to properly assess the pelvic floor muscles, an internal muscle exam is encouraged. Many patients with pelvic floor dysfunction have lost the ability to properly command the muscles to contract and relax. The pelvic exam involves the physical therapist assessing the pelvic floor by gently inserting one gloved and lubricated finger into either the vagina or rectum to assess muscle tone, motor control, strength, endurance, and tenderness. Given examination results, the therapist can determine the best course of treatment specific to each individual. You are welcome to bring a significant other, family member or friend to your appointment.
Pregnancy and Post-Partum
There are a lot of changes that happen during pregnancy and post-partum. 50-70% of pregnant women experience low back pain during pregnancy. In addition, 30% to 50% of pregnant women report low back pain severe enough to cause lost time from work. We can help! In addition to back pain it is not uncommon to also experience pubic pain, tailbone pain, groin pain, pubic symphysis pain, and sciatica. These are all issues that respond well to physical therapy. Treatment often involves exercises to increase stabilization and strength in the pelvis, soft tissue mobilization, using a pelvic belt to help brace the pelvis, and education on proper body mechanics. Post-partum issues also respond really well to PT. Currently in France all post-partum patients are referred to pelvic floor PT for assessment and treatment. If you are not fully bouncing back to your previous functional level, schedule an initial eval with us today!
Men and Pelvic Floor Issues
While these issues affect far more women than men we offer the same programs to men with great success
