Pelvic Pain & Dysfunction
Your pelvic floor has muscles, too.
For many people, pelvic floor dysfunction is often accompanied by feelings of shame and isolation. 1 in 3 women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime, and many of them struggle to talk to doctors for any number of reasons. But what many people forget is that pelvic floor muscles are muscles, too! Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to see a physical therapist for back pain, you should also get the same help for your pelvic floor muscles - and that’s where pelvic floor physical therapy comes in! We know that pelvic floor pain and conditions are a sensitive topic and should be handled with compassion and respect. We listen to our patients and use the latest evidence-based treatment to help them get the results they deserve.
There’s lots of misinformation around pelvic health. Let’s break it down.
You shouldn’t leak when you sneeze – even after kids!
Many of us have grown up with the women in our lives talking about what happens to the body after childbirth – and one of those things is leaking urine when you sneeze or laugh too hard. Although common, you don’t have to live like this! There’s lots of factors that can cause leakage, but physical therapy can help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles so you can stop worrying about sneezing, laughing, or leaking in public!
Sex shouldn’t be painful – and neither should tampons or pelvic exams!
Pelvic floor dysfunction can feel isolating for anyone. Many people are born with conditions that make penetration difficult or impossible. However, this is completely treatable over time and patients are able to make a full recovery. Pelvic floor physical therapy helps patients to retrain their nervous system and teach the pelvic floor muscles how to respond properly to penetration, so they can live their happiest, healthiest lives.
Painful cramps during your period aren’t normal
Mild to moderate cramping can be a part of a normal menstrual cycle and typically goes away with over-the-counter pain relief. However, severe pain that does not respond to OTC medications, is often indicative that something else is at play. Whether it is endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, or other gynecologic issues, your pelvic health physical therapist can help you manage your pain symptoms with manual therapy, exercise, and breathing techniques as part of your gynecologic treatment.
Kegels don’t solve every pelvic floor problem
It’s often thought that most pelvic floor dysfunction comes from a weak pelvic floor, so many people are told to try Kegel exercises to fix their symptoms. However, conditions like leakage are due to tight muscles that are overcompensating in their weakness. Pelvic floor physical therapy helps patients to lengthen their muscles in order to build the strength they need to live confidently.
• External and internal assessments
• Vaginal and rectal treatments to increase mobility and decrease pain
• Dry needling Education & Patient Empowerment
• Teaching patients to accurately identify and use the muscles in and around the pelvis
• Educating on what is happening in their body with their condition
• Managing expectations on treatment process
• Teaching self-management techniques and identifying helpful products
• Using breathwork to relax and release the pelvic floor
· Home Exercise Program
· Pelvic floor and core stabilizing
· Returning to sport after childbirth Additional Tools
· Dilators
· Pelvic wands
· Biofeedback
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
o Anal Spasm (Proctalgia Fugax)
o Coccygodynia/Sacrococcygeal pain
o Dysmenorrhea
o Dyspareunia
o Endometriosis
o Interstitial Cytitis
o Vaginismus
o Vulvar Vestibulitis
o Vulvodynia
o Constipation
o Diarrhea
o Fecal Incontinence (FI)
o Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
o Outlet Dysfunction
o Dysuria
o Enuresis
o Frequency
o Hesitancy
o Interstitial Cystitis
o Nocturia
o Overactive Bladder (OAB)
o Urgency
o Urinary Incontinence
o Stress Urinary Incontinence
o Urge Urinary Incontinence
o Mixed Incontinence
Highbar’s pelvic floor physical therapists are trained to understand your individual needs so you can make a full recovery. Request an appointment with a compassionate, experienced pelvic floor physical therapist to take the next step towards a life without pain or limitation.
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