Are you suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction?
Many people live with irritating or disruptive symptoms like pelvic pain, bladder leaks, and constipation because they assume that these issues are simply a normal part of aging or postpartum life. While these symptoms are common, they are not necessarily normal and don’t need to be suffered with unnecessarily.
Many people struggle with these symptoms for months or even years before learning that pelvic floor dysfunction may be the root of their problem. Luckily, pelvic floor physical therapy can be a safe and effective way to address these symptoms and find relief.
What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. These muscles form a hammock of sorts that hold the pelvic organs in place, while also helping to control urination and bowel movements, maintain sexual function, and support core strength.
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles do not work together properly. They may become weak, tight, or unable to relax when needed. This lack of muscle coordination can affect many everyday activities.
If you’re asking yourself, “do I have pelvic floor dysfunction”, consider the following:
1. You leak urine when you cough, laugh, or exercise
Occasional bladder leakage is one of the most recognizable signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. Leakage may occur when sneezing or coughing, laughing, running, jumping, lifting heavy objects, or exercising.
While many people assume that this is normal after pregnancy or as they age, it is often treatable. A pelvic floor physical therapy can determine the cause and help address it.
2. You feel like you need to urinate often
Do you find yourself constantly looking for a bathroom, even if your bladder isn’t very full?
Urinary urgency and frequent urination can sometimes be related to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, rather than a problem with the bladder itself. Tense or overactive pelvic floor muscles can contribute to these symptoms. If this persists and is not related to an acute problem like a urinary tract infection, consider an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist.
3. You experience regular pelvic pain or pressure
Pain shouldn’t be ignored. Pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to pelvic pain, tailbone pain, hip discomfort, pain during or after sitting, lower abdominal pain, and a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area.
These symptoms can have many possible causes, but an experienced pelvic floor physical therapist can help determine whether the pelvic floor muscles are involved.
4. You have difficult or painful bowel movements
The pelvic floor muscles need to relax during a bowel movement. When they don’t, constipation, straining, or a feeling of incomplete emptying can occur. You may also experience pain with bowel movements or feel the need to change positions to have a complete bowel movement.
While constipation is often addressed by changing the diet, muscle coordination can be an important factor as well.
5. You experience pain during or after sex
Overly tight or sensitive pelvic floor muscles can play a part in pain during or after sex. While common, this is not normal and is not something you need to just deal with. Pelvic floor physical therapy can often address muscular tension to reduce discomfort and improve overall mobility and sensation.
6. You feel weakness in your core, or have lower back pain
The pelvic floor works closely with the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and deep spinal muscles to stabilize your body. When these muscles are not functioning well together, you may experience ongoing lower back pain, poor balance, difficulty activating your core, or instability when exercising.
While back pain can have many potential causes, evaluating the pelvic floor may be an appropriate step when symptoms continue despite other treatments.
Who can develop pelvic floor dysfunction?
Any body can be affected by pelvic floor dysfunction – all genders and ages.
Common risk factors include pregnancy and childbirth, aging, pelvic surgery, chronic constipation, heavy lifting, high impact sports, persistent coughing, and hormonal changes. Some people even develop pelvic floor dysfunction without obvious risk factors.
How do you address this problem?
If symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction are interfering with your daily routine, limiting your activities, or affecting your function and quality of life, it’s worth seeking treatment.
Don’t simply believe these common complains are normal and suffer in silence – pelvic floor physical therapy is a safe and effective way to address many of these symptoms, and early treatment can avoid more intense symptoms down the line.
Using a combination of education, breathing exercises, strengthening or relaxation exercises, manual therapy, and guidance on healthy habits, your physical therapist will design a personalized treatment plan that suits your symptoms and life.
Early treatment often helps prevent symptoms from becoming more persistent and can improve function before compensation patterns become established.
Pelvic floor physical therapy in Long Island, NY
If these symptoms sounded all too familiar, contact us today to schedule your initial evaluation. Body Restoration Physical Therapy PLLC is conveniently located in Roslyn Heights. Let our experience help you achieve relief.