As women, we go through many changes that come with aging. Pelvic physical therapy may help to improve your strength, movement, and pain management. The pelvic floor is made up of a group of muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. The muscles provide tone to soft tissue around the anus, vagina, and urethra. Sexual tone is reliant on these muscles for good sensation and pain-free intercourse. Although, some people may do more harm to their pelvic floor by doing too many Kegels.
A trained physical therapist can evaluate, assess, and determine the appropriate treatment for home exercise. They can also decide whether Kegels will benefit you or not. Pregnancy has its own issues relating to the pelvic floor which may include urinary leaking and pain. During pregnancy, it is normal to experience little aches and pains with the development of your baby, but these do not need to limit you.
Pelvic floor treatment can help strengthen and support your baby and prepare you for delivery and quicker recovery. Physical therapy can also add support to limit pelvic and back pain. If your pain has caused you to miss work or avoid normal activities, then a physical therapist can be beneficial. After childbirth, your body has gone through numerous changes and has begun gradually returning to a pre-pregnancy state.
With fluctuating hormones and the healing of soft tissue, your body is recovering. Physical therapy can help you go back to your typical activities safely and quickly. We can also teach you the appropriate exercises for regaining abdominal tone, avoiding urinary leaking, and returning to pleasurable sexual health. If you have a C-section scar or perineal scar, physical therapy can speed healing and ease the pain.
Hormonal changes during menopause can cause vaginal atrophy and weaken the pelvic floor. This can also cause vaginal dryness and soft tissue changes that result in painful penetrative intercourse.
