It is estimated nearly 25 percent of adults have urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, sexual problems, or pelvic organ prolapse. Med Center Health’s Bluegrass Outpatient Center offers pelvic floor therapy to help men and women suffering from any of these issues.
“We treat everybody,” said Emily Davenport, Women’s Health Physical Therapist and Specialty Services Manager for Med Center Health Physical Rehabilitation. “If you have a pelvis, you are a candidate for pelvic physical therapy. For women, it can go into things that happen postpartum; incontinence, which is loss of urine; bowel issues, constipation or fecal incontinence. Pelvic pain also happens in men, who can have perineal pain which is a pain that feels like you are sitting on a golf ball. There is also a risk for incontinence after having a prostate removed due to cancer.”
The pelvic floor is a group of 26 muscles that make up the bottom of the pelvic region. These muscles function together across the pelvis and attach from the pubic bone in the front to the tailbone in the back.
The pelvic floor has four primary functions:
- Support pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, prostate and rectum.
- Stabilize the pelvis and spine.
- Assist with sexual function.
- Support bowel and bladder control.
“Patients often think the loss of bladder control is normal,” said Davenport. “Society has said, ‘Oh, you had a baby? Oh, you’re postmenopausal? Oh, you had a hysterectomy? That’s just what’s going to happen.’ It doesn’t have to happen. Pelvic floor therapy can help those suffering from any or all of those issues.”
Pelvic floor muscles are similar to other muscles throughout the body. They can be weak, stretched out, strong or tight. Pelvic floor weakness or tension leads to pelvic muscle dysfunction. Weakness in the muscles can cause incontinence, and tension in the muscles can lead to pelvic pain. Pelvic floor therapy can help both.
The first step in pelvic floor therapy is a consultation with a Med Center Health physical therapist. You can expect a private, one-on-one setting where the therapist reviews your medical history, symptoms and goals and performs a physical exam. The exam may include assessments of your hips, spine, bony pelvis and pelvic floor muscles. Your comfort and privacy are always a priority throughout this process.
After the consultation, the physical therapist will work with you to create an individualized plan to address your pelvic health needs.
“If it is someone who has muscle weakness, just like traditional therapy, we will give you exercises,” said Davenport. “The exercises are going to seem very simple, because it is more about the muscle control or activation in that area. You’re going to be doing work with breathing so that you’re engaging the full core with movement patterns that engage the core while doing your functional activities, such as lifting or pushing or pulling. We can do exercises like yoga. We also use ultrasound, heat, ice, or even electrical stimulation. The same tools we use for orthopedic knee replacement patients are available for pelvic patients.”
To schedule a consultation with Med Center Health, visit: medcenterhealth.org/bluegrass or call 270-796-6800.
** Information about pelvic floor therapy comes from The Mayo Clinic and Dr. Davenport’s expertise. **
-submitted by Med Center Health
