At Vitality, we emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to health, addressing the root causes of dysfunction rather than just treating symptoms. One often-overlooked but critical aspect of overall well-being is pelvic floor health, which plays a key role in bladder function, bowel control, sexual health, core stability, and even chronic pain management.
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on assessing and rehabilitating the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that span the bottom of the pelvis, supporting the bladder, uterus (in women), prostate (in men), and rectum. These muscles must be strong yet flexible, able to contract and relax appropriately for normal function.
A pelvic floor physical therapist is specially trained to evaluate and treat dysfunctions in this area using a combination of manual therapy, biofeedback, functional movement retraining, relaxation techniques, and strength exercises.
Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Both men and women can experience pelvic floor dysfunction, which may present in different ways, including:
Urinary Incontinence – Leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise (stress incontinence) or an urgent need to urinate (urge incontinence).
Pelvic Pain & Tension – Pain during intercourse, tampon use, or prolonged sitting due to tight or hypertonic pelvic floor muscles.
Postpartum Recovery – Addressing issues like pelvic organ prolapse, urinary leakage, or core instability after childbirth.
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes – Conditions like interstitial cystitis, pudendal neuralgia, and chronic prostatitis can improve with PFPT.
Constipation & Bowel Dysfunction – The pelvic floor plays a role in normal bowel movements, and dysfunction can lead to straining, incomplete emptying, or even fecal incontinence.
Sexual Dysfunction – Painful intercourse (dyspareunia), erectile dysfunction, and reduced sensation can often be linked to pelvic floor muscle imbalance.
Post-Surgical Recovery – Men recovering from prostate surgery or women after hysterectomy or pelvic organ repair may need pelvic floor retraining.
Athletes & Core Stability Issues – The pelvic floor is part of the core system, alongside the diaphragm, deep abdominals, and back muscles. Dysfunction can lead to lower back pain, hip instability, or even hernias.
Why is Pelvic Floor Therapy Important?
Traditional medicine often overlooks the pelvic floor, and many people suffer in silence, thinking symptoms like urinary leakage, pelvic pain, or core weakness are "just part of aging" or "normal after childbirth". But they are treatable, and pelvic floor therapy offers a non-invasive, effective solution for restoring function.
What to Expect in a Pelvic Floor Therapy Session
A pelvic floor PT will start with a comprehensive assessment, including:
A discussion of symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors.
Postural and movement analysis to check for compensations.
Internal and/or external pelvic floor muscle assessment, depending on comfort level.
Education on breath work, relaxation, and strengthening techniques to optimize function.
Treatment may include:
Manual therapy (internal/external release for tight muscles)
Biofeedback to retrain muscle activation
Core and hip strengthening exercises
Bladder and bowel retraining techniques
Relaxation and breathwork strategies
Pelvic floor dysfunction can significantly impact quality of life, but it’s treatable. Whether you’re experiencing leakage, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, or core instability, pelvic floor physical therapy provides a safe, effective, and non-surgical way to restore function and well-being.
Your pelvic floor health matters—for comfort, confidence, and overall wellness.
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