The pelvic floor is a group of 3 layers of muscles that functions to support the organs of the pelvis and abdomen including the uterus, bladder and rectum. These muscles also work directly with the bladder and bowel to expel urine and feces efficiently by contracting and relaxing at appropriate times.

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized kind of PT that focuses on dysfunction of the pelvic floor. This includes bladder dysfunction, pelvic dysfunction and pre, peri and postnatal care.

Who Would Benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Women or Men experiencing:

• Urinary incontinence (leaking)

• Urinary frequency and urgency

• Bowel (fecal) incontinence

• Diastasis Recti

• Pain during intercourse

• Hip or Low back pain

Women who are experiencing:

• Pelvic pain during pregnancy

• Low back pain during pregnancy

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse

• Dysfunctional changes with menopause

• Women who are or plan to be pregnant, or have given birth

Men who are experiencing:

• Pre and post prostatectomy

• Prostate cancer 

What to Expect at Your First Pelvic Floor PT Appointment:

At the first visit, a thorough history of your symptoms will be assessed and an objective exam including hip / low back mobility, as well as a breathing assessment may be performed. Time and comfort permitting, an external exam of the pelvic floor musculature will also be performed. Typically during the 2nd or 3rd visit, an internal pelvic exam will be performed to assess the strength, coordination and restriction in the pelvic floor musculature and organs.

Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction:

Depending on the type of pelvic floor dysfunction you are experiencing, treatment may include:

• Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor musculature

• Stretches to relax the pelvic floor musculature

• Core strengthening exercises

• External and internal manual therapy 

• Bladder / Bowel retraining 

• Biofeedback 

-Caylee Skoglund PT, DPT