Common Pelvic Floor Disorders and How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help
Pelvic floor disorders are a common problem that affects both men and women. These disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, including pain, discomfort, and incontinence. Fortunately, there is an effective treatment for many pelvic floor disorders: pelvic floor physiotherapy.
In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the most common pelvic floor disorders and how pelvic floor physiotherapy can help.
What are Pelvic Floor Disorders?
Pelvic floor disorders are a group of conditions that affect the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support the pelvic organs. These organs include the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Pelvic floor disorders can affect both men and women, although they are more common in women.
The most common pelvic floor disorders include:
Urinary incontinence: This is the involuntary leakage of urine, which can occur during physical activity or when you cough or sneeze.
Fecal incontinence: This is the involuntary leakage of feces, which can be caused by damage to the anal sphincter or the nerves that control bowel movements.
Pelvic organ prolapse: This is the bulging or descent of one or more pelvic organs into the vagina or rectum. This can occur when the muscles and ligaments that support the organs weaken.
Pelvic pain: This can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle tension, nerve damage, or inflammation.
How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for pelvic floor disorders. It involves a series of exercises and techniques that are designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help with a variety of pelvic floor disorders. Here are some of the ways it can help:
Urinary incontinence: Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help strengthen the muscles that control the bladder. By doing so, it can reduce the likelihood of urine leakage and improve bladder control.
Fecal incontinence: Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve the strength and coordination of the muscles that control the anus. This can reduce the likelihood of fecal leakage and improve bowel control.
Pelvic organ prolapse: Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic organs. By doing so, it can reduce the severity of pelvic organ prolapse and improve symptoms.
Pelvic pain: Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow to the pelvic area. This can reduce pain and discomfort in the pelvic region.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy typically involves a series of exercises and techniques that are designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the pelvic floor. These exercises may include Kegels, which involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. Your physiotherapist may also teach you how to do exercises that involve the use of biofeedback, which can help you better understand and control your pelvic floor muscles.
Caption: Our In-Home and In-Hospital Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists provide support for clients in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond, British Columbia!
In addition to exercises, pelvic floor physiotherapy may also involve other techniques, such as manual therapy, which involves the use of massage and stretching to improve muscle function. Your physiotherapist may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications or changes to your exercise routine, that can help improve your pelvic floor function.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor disorders are a common problem that affects many people. Fortunately, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve symptoms and reduce the likelihood of future problems. If you're experiencing symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional who can help you determine the best course of treatment. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may be an effective and non-invasive option that can help you improve your pelvic floor function and overall quality of life.
It's important to note that pelvic floor physiotherapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs and symptoms. It's also important to note that pelvic floor physiotherapy may not be appropriate for everyone. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine if pelvic floor physiotherapy is right for you.
In addition to pelvic floor physiotherapy, there are other steps you can take to improve your pelvic floor function. These include:
Maintaining a healthy weight: Excess weight can put additional strain on the pelvic floor muscles, which can contribute to pelvic floor disorders.
Avoiding constipation: Straining during bowel movements can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and contribute to pelvic floor disorders.
Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help prevent constipation and reduce the likelihood of pelvic floor disorders.
Avoiding heavy lifting: Lifting heavy objects can put additional strain on the pelvic floor muscles and contribute to pelvic floor disorders.
Avoiding high-impact activities: High-impact activities, such as running and jumping, can put additional strain on the pelvic floor muscles and contribute to pelvic floor disorders.
In summary, pelvic floor disorders can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem. However, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve symptoms and reduce the likelihood of future problems. If you're experiencing symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional who can help you determine the best course of treatment. With the help of pelvic floor physiotherapy and other lifestyle changes, you can improve your pelvic floor function and enjoy a better quality of life.
If you're experiencing symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder or want to improve your pelvic floor function, don't wait to seek help. Book an appointment with a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist today and start your journey to improved pelvic health. Whether you prefer in-home or in-hospital appointments, our team is ready to provide personalized and compassionate care. Don't let pelvic floor disorders hold you back from living your best life. Book your appointment now!
Call us at: 604-828-2610
