Pelvic floor physio is getting more and more in vogue for a reason—it does heal a roster of ailments that can afflict anyone of any age and gender. With it being so in vogue now, though, there are still plenty of people who have no idea what it is or when they should try it. Pelvic floor muscles are a collection of muscles right at the bottom of the pelvis. They stabilize vital organs such as the bladder, bowel, and uterus (in women) and also facilitate continence, sex, and trunk stability. If they're not working properly—too tight or too weak—it can lead to a whole range of problems. These are eight reasons why you might need to visit a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
- Leaking Urine When You Cough, Laugh, or Exercise
This is called stress urinary incontinence and is very prevalent—particularly in women post-pregnancy, and in men post-prostate surgery or in the later years. Regardless of whether you're dodging gym class or sneezing with legs closed, pelvic floor physiotherapy is your answer. A physiotherapist can teach you how to correctly condition the pelvic floor muscles so you can stop leakage or reduce it without surgery or drugs.
- You Have Urgency or Need to Urinate a lot
If you're always needing to go find the loo just around the corner or waking up to pee heaps at night, your bladder is probably overactive or the pelvic floor muscles aren't coordinating properly. Pelvic floor physiotherapists can teach you how to retrain the bladder and strengthen the muscles required for greater control, typically changing symptoms altogether within months.
- You've Been Pregnant or Had a Baby
Childbirth and pregnancy stress the pelvic floor considerably. Even if you have no symptoms such as leakage or prolapse, it's definitely worth getting your pelvic floor examined. Physio can prevent complications from arising in the long term, help with post-baby recovery, and enable you to make sure you are engaging the correct muscles when doing daily activities and exercise. It is one of the most progressive things a prospective or new parent can do.
- You Have Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is not normal but is surprisingly common and usually remains undiagnosed. This includes pain with sex, tampon insertion, or pelvic examination. Vaginismus, vulvodynia, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome are all conditions from dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. Specialized pelvic floor physiotherapists can ease tightened muscles, reduce inflammation, and teach management of pain on a long-term basis.
- You’ve Been Diagnosed With Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the bladder, uterus, or rectum protrudes from its normal position and bulges into the vaginal wall, typically due to weakened pelvic support. Although it may be frightening, for a number of people with mild and moderate prolapse, surgery is avoided by receiving treatment with physiotherapy. By using exercises of strengthening, changes in posture, and lifestyle, a therapist can also restore your quality of life and help get rid of pressure or discomfort symptoms.
- You're Recovering From Prostate Surgery
Men are unaware they possess a pelvic floor—if everything went smoothly, that is. Prostate surgery can lead to urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Pelvic floor physiotherapy could be involved in the recovery. Through re-education of the muscles and improved healing, therapy recovers continence and maximizes sexual health in the long term.
- You Struggle With Bowel Issues
Constipation, incontinence, or that you haven't even emptied at all can all be down to poor pelvic floor coordination. Straining on the loo unconsciously or muscles which don't relax is extremely common. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can instruct improved toileting technique, breathing, and muscle re-education exercises that restore normalcy and pain relief.
- You Want to Improve Core Strength and Prevent Injury
Your pelvic floor is within your core and it all works together with your diaphragm, deep abs, and back muscles. A client in a sports or injury rehabilitation gym, enabling pelvic floor function can maximize the stability of your core and absorb your back from pain and repetitive strain.
It is particularly valuable in lifting, running, or high-level sport.
Final Thoughts
The majority of individuals suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction for years believing it is a normal aspect of the aging process or an issue that they must endure post-pregnancy or surgery. In reality, the problems with their pelvic health are reversible, and pelvic floor physiotherapy is an evidence-based, non-surgical treatment that can have a significant positive effect. If any of the following symptoms ring a bell, scheduling an appointment to be evaluated by a registered pelvic floor physiotherapist may be a good idea. Taking care of this vital set of muscles is a step in the right direction to good overall health.
