Everyone has a pelvic floor. It is made up of muscles that support the urinary and reproductive tracts. This group of muscles also controls your bladder and bowels. The pelvic floor muscles attach to your tailbone. If the muscles in the pelvic floor are weak or do not function as they should, this condition is called pelvic floor dysfunction.
When you have pelvic floor dysfunction, your pelvic muscles cannot relax or work together properly.
If these muscles remain tight and cannot relax, you may experience:
Constipation
Frequent urge to urinate
Trouble controlling your bowels or urine, leading to leaks
Leaks while laughing, coughing, sneezing, or running
Pain during sex (in women)
Erectile dysfunction (in men)
Lower back, pelvic, or tailbone pain
There is no single direct cause of pelvic floor dysfunction, but certain factors can trigger it, including:
Pelvic surgery
Aging
Pregnancy
Being overweight
Overuse of pelvic muscles
Injuries to the pelvic area
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help relieve the symptoms and enable the muscles to function properly. This includes various exercises that strengthen and relax the pelvic muscles.
During a consultation, the physiotherapist will gather detailed information about your symptoms and assess the strength and endurance of your core muscles.
This evaluation will involve specific activities and positions to challenge the pelvic floor muscles and test their coordination.
After the assessment, the physiotherapist will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. The treatment may include both internal and external therapy. Internal therapy will only begin when you are comfortable, as it can be unpleasant for some individuals.
This treatment will help you return to your regular routine, improve bladder control, and participate in sports and exercises you enjoy. It will also alleviate discomfort and pain during sex for women.
Techniques and Exercises
1. Trigger Point Therapy:
This technique applies pressure to specific points on the body to relieve pain.
2. Kegels:
A popular exercise that strengthens the pelvic floor muscles through contraction and relaxation. It helps with pain during sex and improves incontinence control.
3. Electrical Stimulation:
This reduces pain and muscle spasms in the pelvic area.
4. Bladder Diary:
Keeping a bladder diary helps manage fluid intake and schedule bladder emptying to prevent leaks.
5. Biofeedback:
This technique uses devices to monitor pelvic floor muscle contractions. Electrodes or internal probes may be used to measure muscle tension and relaxation.
It is important to understand that noticeable improvements may take up to 3 weeks. Consistency with exercises and lifestyle changes recommended by your physiotherapist is crucial for effective treatment.
Your tailbone is connected to the pelvic floor muscles. When these muscles are weak or not working correctly, it is referred to as pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapy can alleviate symptoms and help the muscles operate effectively. This therapy involves different exercises designed to strengthen and relax the pelvic muscles.
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