The pelvic floor is the unsung hero of the lower body. Think of it as an upside-down umbrella of muscles and tissues that keeps important organs (including your bladder and bowels) where they should be. If that wasn’t cool enough, your pelvic floor muscles also help you achieve orgasm and control bodily functions like urinating or defecating.
Pelvic floor muscles, like other muscles in your body, can weaken over time. Age, childbirth, health conditions and injuries can put stress on your pelvic floor and lead to problems like urine leakage and prolapse. However, you can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which can help with a variety of symptoms and issues. “Just like you would go to an exercise class, you should go to pelvic floor physical therapy,” said Robyn Faye, MD, an OB-GYN and member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Board.
Faye noted that pelvic floor physical therapy can also help with pelvic muscles that are too tight (hypertonic), which can cause difficulty urinating and pain during sex. “I’m a real advocate for a pelvic physical therapist because they do a lot of work and help a lot with [things like] painful sexual intercourse,” Faye said.
Read: The pelvic floor: what is it for? >>
If you’re struggling with your pelvic floor, here’s what you need to know about pelvic floor physical therapy.
What is pelvic floor physiotherapy?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that helps to strengthen, relax, rehabilitate and train the pelvic floor muscles.
Depending on your symptoms, therapy may include:
- Manual therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Biofeedback
- Face-to-face exercises
- Home exercises
Pelvic floor physical therapists are licensed to perform internal pelvic exams and external physical exams to determine the treatment plan.
Who should try pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapists can help relieve symptoms of many pelvic floor problems, including:
Read: Prolapse changed my life for the better >>
Pelvic floor therapy can also be good for people planning to have children before, during and after pregnancy to keep the muscles strong.
It’s a good idea to talk to your health care provider before considering pelvic floor physical therapy. You may need a referral depending on your insurance plan and where you live.
What to expect in pelvic floor physical therapy
During your first visit, you will meet with your physical therapist to discuss your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. You will undergo a physical exam to examine your spine, pelvis, hips, abdomen, posture, and breathing.
Your physical therapist may want to perform an internal pelvic floor exam to assess muscle, strength, or coordination issues. Note: This usually involves inserting a gloved finger into your rectum or vagina.
If you are not comfortable with the exam, you do not have to do it. Talk to your physical therapist about other options or ways to move forward without the internal exam.
You and your physical therapist will come up with a plan. The amount of time and number of sessions needed will vary from person to person and depend on your goals.
In-office exercises can range from stretching to core and joint exercises to massage. And you may have homework to do, such as Kegel exercises to make at home.
Is pelvic floor therapy covered by insurance?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is becoming more and more popular, but not all insurance companies cover it. If you are interested in pelvic floor physiotherapy, check with your insurance company before making an appointment.
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