Even though a significant number of people will experience pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime, many are too embarrassed to seek help. However, pelvic rehabilitation is similar to traditional orthopedic physical therapy (PT) — the only difference is that you’re targeting muscles you can’t easily see or don’t often think about.
If you’re feeling a little nervous before your first session, read on to learn what to expect. In this article, we’ll discuss how pelvic floor therapy works and what may happen during the course of your treatment.
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Patient education is key
The first appointment typically involves skilled conversation and some hands-on evaluation. They’ll make sure you understand your condition, how certain techniques may help and what the road to recovery may be like long-term. Some of the things you might discuss with your physical therapist include:
- What pelvic floor therapy does
- Benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy
- Why stretching is important for your pelvic floor
- How to target your pelvic floor muscles with specific relaxation or strengthening exercises
- Why it’s important to strengthen complementary muscles like your core, hip and glute muscles in pelvic floor PT
Your physical therapist will also answer any questions you have about your specific program. During this part of your appointment, it’s a good idea to have a list of questions or concerns ready. That way, you can have a meaningful discussion together, and your PT can help you feel as comfortable as possible.
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You’ll set goals in pelvic floor therapy
A physical therapist will work with you to establish realistic goals for your program based on your symptoms. This type of rehabilitation is typically recommended after prostate surgery and other procedures. It’s also used to treat pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), where your muscles are either more relaxed or tighter than they need to be for your body to function well. For instance, pelvic floor therapy can help with certain conditions, such as:
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Pelvic and vaginal pain
- Pelvic nerve injuries
- Bladder, uterus or rectal prolapse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pregnancy and postpartum issues
Your physical therapist will take your health, underlying conditions, lifestyle and other factors into consideration throughout this process.
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Internal pelvic floor muscle exams are optional
With your consent, a licensed physical therapist might do an internal exam to better understand how your symptoms correlate to your pelvic floor. While not always necessary, rarely performed on the first visit, it’s one of the steps offered to patients in practices like Forever Fit. All of our pelvic floor physical therapists are trained to do internal pelvic floor exams, but they’re never required.
During this visit, your PT may do the following:
- Visually examine the perineum area to evaluate your pelvic floor muscles at rest
- Observe what happens when you do a kegel (pelvic muscle contraction), cough or bear down
- Look for any signs of organ descent (if applicable)
- Palpate the area externally for muscle tightness, knots or sensitivity
- Use a gloved hand to vaginally or rectally evaluate muscle strength and other issues
Your practitioner will talk you through the exam in real time, so you’ll know what to expect every step of the way. Pelvic floor biofeedback testing may be offered as an alternative to an internal exam.
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It’s more than just kegels
Pelvic floor dysfunction may correlate with weak glutes and poor core control. If this is the case, your plan may include hip and core training, as well as pelvic floor work. A specialist treats your whole system, so you can move, lift, and live with confidence. Each patient is prescribed different exercises based on their symptoms. For example, your PT may involve:
- Kegels
- Pelvic tilts
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Core marches
- Squats
- Lunges
- Leg raises
- Yoga stretches
During your appointments, your PT may also do some diagnostic testing to see how your muscles respond. Some tests they may perform are a muscle activation pattern assessment, range of motion assessment, or using a surface EMG device to evaluate your pelvic muscle engagement.
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Doing your homework helps
Pelvic floor therapy might start in-office, but your program may also include exercises for you to do at home. Your physical therapist will help ensure you can do each exercise properly and focus on the right muscle groups. Performing the stretches and exercises you’ve learned on your own helps you progress through your treatment plan.
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It’s a marathon, not a sprint
Treatment can last between eight and 16 weeks, but it all depends on the person. Patients typically start by learning foundational skills, like breathwork and pelvic muscle awareness. Then, they focus on full-body movement and daily function. Your therapy progresses as you do (which is why those at-home exercises are often so important).
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You may have to make a few lifestyle changes
As part of your treatment plan, your physical therapist may recommend a few key lifestyle modifications that may help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. For example, they may suggest adjusting your bowel or bladder routines, modifying your current level of physical activity and eating more fiber-rich foods. They may also recommend limiting your coffee intake to help with bladder urgency issues.
Book a consultation for pelvic floor therapy at Forever Fit
Visit Forever Fit for specialized, compassionate pelvic floor care. We proudly serve patients across central Maryland, including those in Largo. Our team is here to help you take control of your body again. Call us today or fill out our online appointment request form to get started.
