What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

You’ve probably heard of physical therapy for knee or shoulder injuries, but what is pelvic floor physical therapy? It may not be as well known as other types of physical therapy, but just as other muscles in your body can be injured, become weak, or cause pain, your pelvic floor muscles can also be affected. 

Pelvic floor issues most often affect women, but men can also be affected and benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy. 

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Issues

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing problems related to your pelvic floor or related conditions. 

• Pain in the pelvis, vagina, abdomen, low back, hip, or thigh, either constant or during intercourse 
• Urinary incontinence
• Bowel incontinence
• Frequent urination
• Constipation 
• Pregnancy/post-pregnancy pain or incontinence

Additional symptoms men may experience include: 

• Erectile dysfunction
• Penile/scrotal/perineal pain

These symptoms are sometimes due to pelvic floor weakness, but may also indicate just the opposite. When pelvic floor muscles are too tight, myofascial pain can occur. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should first see a doctor to eliminate any other cause before considering pelvic floor physical therapy. 

What Does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Entail?

What is pelvic floor therapy exactly? It involves a range of different therapies that can be applied to help relieve the pain and other symptoms of pelvic floor issues. Some therapies are performed externally, involving stretching, tightening, and releasing muscles. Other therapies are performed internally by highly skilled therapists who can apply methods to relieve internal pelvic pain.

What makes Manhattan Physical Therapy unique to other physical therapy offices is their Redcord Suspension Therapy that can be used to treat the pelvic floor by strengthening muscles around it in a weightless setting.

In some cases, the pelvic floor muscles need to be strengthened to treat issues such as organ prolapse, where the bladder sinks into the vagina, causing urinary incontinence. In other cases, the pelvic floor muscles are too tight and need to be relaxed to relieve pain. Your physical therapist will develop a plan that addresses your specific needs. 

Discussing Pelvic Floor Therapy With Your Doctor or Therapist

Understandably, the need for pelvic floor physical therapy can be a sensitive subject. It can be difficult to talk about the pain and other symptoms related to the pelvic area. But the best way to get relief from your symptoms is to discuss them with your doctor and your physical therapist. Be honest about the severity of your pain and symptoms. Don’t downplay or dismiss these problems. You don’t have to live with chronic pain when there are solutions. 

Even if your pain improves with medication, there are long term effects of taking pain relievers over an extended period of time. Pelvic floor physical therapy addresses the source of the pain and other symptoms in order to relieve or eliminate them. 

Trust the Professionals at Manhattan Physical Therapy 

If the sensitive nature of this subject is a concern for you, you need to find a physical therapist that can be professional and discreet about your treatment. The physical therapists at Manhattan PT are highly trained professionals who are caring and considerate. We provide a wide range of physical therapy treatments to help relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. 

Call (212) 213-3480 today to schedule a consultation or contact us, and we will be in touch. We look forward to working with you.