Pelvic floor physical therapy is a non-invasive way to treat problems of the pelvic floor.

Your pelvic floor is the sling-like group of muscles and connective tissues that run from the pubic bone to the tailbone. It holds your bladder, uterus, and rectum in place. These muscles also help control urine flow, bowel movements, and sexual function.

When the pelvic floor is too tight or too weak, it causes problems. Our pelvic floor physical therapists can help provide relief from the following conditions:

• Leaking of urine or feces, called incontinence
• Constipation
• Overactive bladder, when you feel a strong, sudden need to urinate or need to urinate frequently
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic organ prolapse, which is when one of the pelvic organs slips out of place and bulges into the vagina
• Sexual dysfunction, most commonly pain with sex
• Tailbone pain

Women tend to have more pelvic floor issues as they age. The muscles often weaken with childbirth and menopause. But you might also have these issues because of:

• Obesity
• Surgery in the pelvic area
• Radiation in the pelvic area
• A job that requires heavy lifting or straining

Types of pelvic floor physical therapy

The care team at Carilion’s Urogynecology Pelvic Floor Disorders Clinic are here to help improve your pelvic floor health. Our physical therapists offer the most innovative methods of pelvic floor physical therapy. 

Treatments include:

• Manual therapy to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder retraining
• Changes in diet and behavior
• Dry needling for pain relief
• Kegel exercises for pelvic floor muscle training
• Biofeedback for muscle awareness
• Postural awareness and body mechanics
• Abdominal and core exercises

Many people with pelvic floor problems just accept them as a normal part of getting older. But while these problems are more common as you age, they're treatable. 

Physical therapy can help you gain control of your pelvic function. It can restore your confidence, let you enjoy sex again, and improve your overall quality of life.

At your first visit, your physical therapist will ask about your health history, concerns, and symptoms. They'll look at your body structure, posture, and how you move. They may examine your hip joints and press on and around your belly to locate pain or tenderness.

With your consent, the physical therapist may ask to do an internal exam. They'll use a gloved finger inserted into your vagina or rectum and ask you to contract and relax your pelvic muscles. It’s the best way to find out how strong your pelvic floor is and how well it’s working.

An internal exam will also allow your physical therapist to gauge the severity of a pelvic organ prolapse. 

After the exam, your physical therapist will talk about a treatment plan. That will include exercises to do at home as well as follow-up visits. Depending on your condition, they may suggest other forms of treatment, as well.

Each physical therapy visit will take about an hour. Most people need about 4 - 6 sessions.

It’s OK to feel embarrassed by pelvic floor issues

Many people feel reluctant to seek help for pelvic floor problems because they’re embarrassed or squeamish. But delaying treatment can make things worse.

Rest assured that these conditions are common and our physical therapists deal with them every day. They'll do everything they can to make you feel comfortable and at ease while providing the best care.