How To Know If You Have a Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (And What to Do About It)

Introduction

Are you suffering from pelvic pain? Having difficulty with incontinence?  Or maybe you are dealing with hip or back pain that regular physical therapy is just not helping? If this is the case, then you are likely experiencing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

Here at ITR Physical Therapy we specialize in both men’s and women’s health. We integrate manual therapy and a holistic approach to reduce your pain, restore pelvic floor function and improve overall well-being.

We also understand how important a well-functioning pelvic floor is for completing daily tasks, maintaining sexual health, and optimizing movement and work to rehabilitate with a comprehensive and integrated approach.

Through utilization of evidence-based research, the latest treatment interventions, and compassionate care, we’re here to improve pelvic health and maximize your quality of life.

So What Exactly is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction or PFD refers to a wide grouping of symptoms and abnormal findings associated with the pelvic floor musculature. These muscles are found between your sit bones, the pubic bone and the tailbone.

In addition to being an important part of your inner core stability, your pelvic floor muscles support and affect many important anatomic structures including the bowel, bladder, uterus, and vagina.

Dysfunction of the pelvic floor can therefore result in a number of urinary, gynecologic, or colorectal symptoms and can contribute to pelvic pain as well as functional impairments in voiding, defecating, sexual intercourse, and day-to-day activities.

What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?

Because the pelvic floor plays an integral role in many bodily systems, dysfunction can present in a number of different ways and will often look and feel different for both men and women.

Are you experiencing any of the following?

• Constipation or excessive straining during bowel movements
• Urinary urgency or frequently needing to use the bathroom
• Bowel or bladder incontinence
• Painful urination
• Pain with sexual intercourse
• Lower back pain of unknown origin
• Hip or groin pain
• Pregnancy related musculoskeletal issues
• Postpartum related issues
• Pelvic, genital or rectal pain

We may be able to help!

Thankfully, because pelvic floor dysfunctions are a group of disorders affecting the musculature, these symptoms are very treatable and for the most part, involve non-surgical interventions.

Because physical therapists specialize in treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, pelvic floor physical therapists are perfectly poised to help.

What Should I Do if I Have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Firs things first, contact someone who specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction. This is the best way to determine if you do in fact have pelvic floor dysfunction and ultimately get the proper guidance to remedy your problems.

Treatments should be completely individualized for each person.  Some common goals, should you wish to undergo pelvic physical therapy, may be to reduce trigger point formation, restore muscle balance, optimize function and reduce pain.

Pelvic floor physical therapy often includes a combination of internal and external manual therapy techniques, customized therapeutic exercises and education to help retrain both inactive and overactive muscles.

What Should I Look for in a Practitioner?

When deciding on a practitioner, it is important that he or she has advanced knowledge and experience in men’s or women’s health in order to get the optimal treatment you need and deserve.

Here at ITR Physical Therapy, our team includes seasoned pelvic floor physical therapists who work daily with individuals suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction. In fact, this is all we do.

We feel it is important to treat our patients with a patient-first, supportive approach.  By looking at the individual as a whole instead of a part, we are able to provide treatments that address each person’s biological, psychological and social components of pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.

We’re here to get you well and keep you healthy.

The Bottom Line

If you or someone you know thinks they may have a pelvic floor dysfunction, contact ITR Physical Therapy and get started on your healing journey today.