The pelvic floor, consisting of multiple muscles, ligaments, and fascia, is a complex anatomical structure with multiple important roles, especially in reproductive and excretory function. Due to its complexity, injury or malfunction in just one part of the pelvic floor can affect the entire pelvic region and have severe consequences for quality of life.
Thankfully, physical therapy is well-equipped to treat pelvic floor health conditions in a way that is both minimally invasive and effective in the long term. At JAG Physical Therapy, we are one of NY, NJ, and PA’s top providers for men’s and women’s pelvic health, and our skilled therapy team is always ready to provide you with the treatment you need with the utmost sensitivity and care. Schedule an appointment with us today or learn more about pelvic floor therapy below.
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and How Does It Work?
A number of specific modalities are used in physical therapy to treat conditions of the pelvic floor and nearby muscles, joints, and organs. These techniques are grouped under the term “pelvic floor therapy” and may be used in any combination according to each patient’s specific pelvic health needs.
The main goals of pelvic floor therapy, regardless of the patient’s anatomy, include achieving normal mobility, sexual functioning, or urinary functioning, relieving pelvic pain, and restoring social confidence through symptom reduction. Some of the main treatment techniques used by pelvic floor therapists include biofeedback (monitoring structures such as the bladder with electronic instruments), nervous system down-regulation, and pelvis-specific exercise instruction.
What Are the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Women?
Many health conditions that specifically affect women are related to the pelvic floor, meaning that female patients of all ages could possibly benefit from pelvic floor therapy. For example, pelvic PT is recommended for pregnant women and new mothers in the postpartum period as a way to quicken physical recovery after delivery.
Women are also the primary population at risk of interstitial cystitis, a bladder condition of unknown cause that can result in a number of kinds of urinary difficulties. Interstitial cystitis can be effectively treated with physical therapy techniques like electric stimulation and trigger point release. Additionally, pelvic floor PT is also one of the best treatment options for vaginismus, or painful vaginal muscle spasms that makes sexual intercourse difficult. All in all, PT is a great support for women’s pelvic health, including mobility, sexual health, and bladder conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Men?
Men who are dealing with a wide range of health issues, ranging from sports-related pelvic muscle injuries to erectile dysfunction to prostatic hyperplasia could be ideal candidates for pelvic floor PT. Many of these conditions primarily affect older men, but men of all ages may find that physical therapy is the best option for their pelvic health.
A patient recovering from a prostatectomy as part of cancer treatment, for example, could reduce post-surgical pain and walk normally more quickly using manual therapy and exercise guidance from a trained pelvic floor therapist. Men who have erectile dysfunction, especially as a side effect from medication, may find the best path to normal sexual health is with PT methods such as biofeedback. And just as general PT can treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, pelvic floor therapy is a great option in cases of chronic pelvic pain.
Who Should Consider Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Given the vital role the pelvic floor plays for multiple organ systems, you may want to think about pelvic therapy if you have any type of health condition affecting your ability to urinate, your sex life, or the mobility of your groin or hip muscles. Physical therapists specializing in the pelvic floor can treat most types of urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, constipation, and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions, among many others.
Ultimately, the earlier you begin a PT program, the quicker you will see results and the better your overall pelvic health will be. JAG Physical Therapy considers each of our patients as an individual, which is especially important in pelvic floor PT – we deliver everyone a custom treatment plan to meet their needs.
Schedule a Pelvic Floor Therapy Session with JAG Physical Therapy
At JAG PT, we offer our patients comprehensive pelvic floor therapy services at many of our locations throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. If pelvic health issues are holding you back, the right physical therapy plan could be key to getting you back to your normal, pain-free life – view the JAG Physical Therapy locations specializing in pelvic floor therapy or book your appointment now to get started.