PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
Do You Struggle With Urinary Incontinence?
Betty had a problem. She didn't know pelvic floor physical therapy could help her.
Every time she laughed, coughed, or squatted, she peed a little. She had been dealing with it for 13 years. It made her self-conscious. She was afraid of being physically active, and she held herself back in social situations. She had resigned herself to just "dealing with it." Fortunately, she learned about physical therapy and got help.
Stress urinary incontinence is one of many pelvic floor disorders that are treatable with physical therapy.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor rehabilitation at Be Fit involves education, supervised exercise, and hands-on approaches in a professional and private setting.
Each person is different. But, at the end of treatment, pelvic floor patients:
- have better flexibility, strength, and control over their pelvic muscles
- have normalized bowel and bladder function
- return to exercising as they desire
- increase pelvic and core strength for other activities
- decrease scar and connective tissue adhesions
- improve pelvic alignment and postural support
- decrease pain
- laugh, work, walk, cough, and sneeze without worry
- improve sexual function and satisfaction
About Women's Pelvic Rehab
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) created a committee in 1977 to address women's health. Specialists in women's pelvic health treat women before, during, and after pregnancy. The APTA began addressing men in 2011 out of desire to treat symptoms related to incontinence, pelvic pain, fibromyalgia and osteoporosis.
Postpartum care is another aspect of pelvic floor physical therapy. It should extend well beyond 12 weeks post-natal. Women of all ages can experience pelvic floor issues. We are here to evaluate and treat patients whenever symptoms occur. Please reach out if you suspect a pelvic floor disorder. Call (630) 964-4008.
Pelvic rehab may include:
- Manual/hands-on therapy
- Pain management techniques
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Education (pelvic, bowel, bladder, postural, and “body mechanics”)
Conditions helped by pelvic rehab include:
- prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum issues (e.g., diastasis recti)
- sexual dysfunction (e.g., dyspareunia)
- stress incontinence (urine or bowel)
- post-surgical issues (hysterectomy, cancer, bowel, bladder)
- pain (low back, tailbone, pelvic, endometriosis, coccydynia)
- and other pelvic floor disorders
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the therapy done?
In a private treatment room.
I'm a guy. Would pelvic floor PT work for me?
Yes, absolutely. Men also have pelvic floor muscles and have a variety of issues, such as erectile dysfunction, bowel or bladder incontinence, scarring or weakness after surgery (e.g. prostatectomy), painful intercourse or ejaculation, testicular or scrotal pain.
Can't I just do kegel exercises ?
Kegel exercises are only one part of a complete plan of care. But not everyone needs kegels. Sometimes the issue is tightness, not weakness. Pelvic PTs can help you figure all that out.
Do you have other questions? Please call (630) 964-4008.