What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Despite nearly one in four women experiencing a type of pelvic floor dysfunction, many don’t realize there is a physical therapy specialty dedicated to addressing this musculoskeletal or nerve pain in the pelvic region.
Some common diagnoses that women’s health physical therapists see are
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Incontinence
-Stress Incontinence
-Urge Incontinence
-Mixed Incontinence
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Overactive Bladder
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Vaginismus
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Pelvic floor Myalgia
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Vulvodynia
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Pudendal Neuralgia
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Pudendal Entrapment
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Dyspareunia
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Pregnancy or postpartum issues like diastasis recti, C-section scar pain, low back or sacroilliac pain.
Conditions like these can be caused by abnormal muscle tone, soft tissue restrictions, weakness or poor coordination of the pelvic muscles or core, or nerve irritations.
Physical therapists address pelvic floor dysfunction with a multifaceted approach, with interventions like manual stretching of the pelvic muscles, biofeedback, therapeutic exercise and neuromuscular re-education promoting awareness, strength, coordination, or relaxation. Therapists also work with patients to change adjust behaviors that could contribute to pain.
Pelvic floor physical therapy gives women the education and skilled treatment to regain agency, manage symptoms, and get long term relief.
To learn more, check out the website of Women’s Health PT of Central Maryland!