Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy

Exploring Pelvic Health: The Role of Physical Therapy in Empowering Wellness

In the realm of health and wellness, some topics tend to stay behind closed doors. Pelvic health is often one of those subjects, yet it’s essential to shed light on it because it affects a significant portion of the population. Whether you’re male or female, young or old, understanding pelvic health is crucial for overall well-being. And when it comes to addressing pelvic health concerns, physical therapy emerges as a powerful ally.

Why Pelvic Health Matters

The pelvic floor muscles encompass the muscles and connective tissues that support organs in your pelvis, such as your bladder, bowels (large intestine), and reproductive organs. Think of your pelvic floor like a sling; your muscles hold these organs in place while simultaneously supporting your bodily functions like bowel and bladder control, sexual function and stability for movement and balance. 

Despite its prevalence, pelvic health concerns are often overlooked or dismissed, leading to unnecessary discomfort and diminished quality of life. However, raising awareness about pelvic health can empower individuals to seek the support and care they need.

Conditions we Treat at Parikh Health

Pelvic health physical therapists can assist with a variety of conditions, including:

1. Pelvic Pain: Chronic pelvic pain can have a significant impact on daily life. PT interventions such as manual therapy, exercises, and relaxation techniques can help manage and reduce pain.
2. Incontinence: Whether it’s urinary or fecal incontinence, PT can provide strategies to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, improve bladder function, and regain control.
3. Constipation: Constipation plays an important role when talking about pelvic floor dysfunctions. A physical therapist trained in pelvic floor health is able to treat the congestion in gastro-intestinal system as well as pelvic region with manual therapy, strategies to manage the bowel movements, educating about correct positioning with bowel movements and incorporating the breathing pattern along with relaxation of pelvic floor. 
4. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: PT offers conservative management techniques to support pelvic organs and alleviate symptoms associated with prolapse.
5. Ante- and Postnatal Care: Pregnancy and childbirth can place significant stress on the pelvic floor. PT during pregnancy can help prepare the body for childbirth, while postnatal PT can aid in recovery and address issues such as diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction.
6. Diastasis recti: Training of abdominal muscles along with pelvic floor muscles is not only important in postpartum females but also in athletes and other age groups. No matter whether you are in your early post-partum phase or it has a decade since you went through childbirth, a trained PT can surely assist you in regaining the control over your core and pelvic floor muscles which will help to prevent low back pain, tailbone pain and in regaining a good neuromuscular control and strength. 
7. C-section recovery: The recovery after cesarean section is crucial and seeing a pelvic floor PT can help you regain the flexibility in those tissues as well as strength in abdominal muscles. Fun Fact: C-section scar tissue massage can help with gastrointestinal issues, pelvic floor muscle relaxation, bowel-bladder functions and improve sexual functions. 
8. Dyspareunia/ Sexual Dysfunction: PT interventions can address musculoskeletal issues contributing to sexual dysfunction, promoting intimacy and sexual satisfaction.
9. Coccygeal pain: Coccygeal or tailbone pain can be treated with PT interventions such as manual therapy, correcting the biomechanics, relaxation of pelvic floor muscles and postural education. 

Breaking the Stigma

One of the biggest barriers to seeking help for pelvic health issues is the stigma surrounding these conditions. However, it’s crucial to recognize that pelvic health is an integral part of overall health and well-being, and there is no shame in seeking support.

By fostering open and honest conversations about pelvic health and the role of physical therapy, we can break down barriers, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to prioritize their health.

At its core, pelvic health physical therapy is about empowering individuals to take control of their bodies and their lives. By addressing pelvic health concerns proactively, individuals can experience improved quality of life, enhanced mobility, and increased confidence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with pelvic health issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified pelvic health physical therapist. Remember, you are not alone, and help is available to support you on your journey to wellness.