We often don’t think about pelvic floor therapy until symptoms become severe and interfere with daily life. However, receiving professional help can speed up your recovery process from childbirth, relieve consistent pelvic pain, and manage bladder control. Early prevention is key, and below are some of the most common pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms.
You Frequently Experience Leaks or Urgency
If you are experiencing frequent needs for a bathroom break and noticing leaks when laughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy things, you may have a weaker pelvic floor. This applies to both urinary and bowel symptoms. Those issues are signs to address your pelvic floor health and should not be taken lightly.
Pain During Intercourse or Tampon Insertion
Sex discomfort or pain from tampon insertion is also worth noting. Muscular tension, scar tissue, or other forms of pelvic pain are the common causes. When experiencing pain, It’s your body trying to communicate with you, and it’s not something to “push through” with. Listen to your body and notice the symptoms.
A Feeling of Heaviness or Pressure in Your Pelvic Area
If you feel heaviness in the pelvic area or are experiencing a sensation of “falling out”, these can be signs of pelvic organ prolapse. The condition is often caused by the weakening of muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic floor. Early prevention with pelvic floor therapy helps you manage symptoms and may keep you from the need for surgical intervention. Explore more about pelvic floor therapy and how it helps recovery.
Difficulty with Bowel Movements
Pelvic floor dysfunction is sometimes linked to straining, incomplete emptying, or constipation. Therapy often includes breathwork, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques to help connect the muscles involved in bowel control.
Postpartum Discomfort or Recovery Challenges
Sometimes giving birth can impact pelvic floor health, causing issues with bladder control, movement discomfort, and changes in posture. Pregnancy and postnatal physio treat pain effectively, including pelvic floor rehab as part of your recovery plan to speed up the process.
You’ve Been Diagnosed with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
If a healthcare provider has already identified pelvic floor dysfunction, therapy is often the first recommended step. It addresses not just the physical symptoms but also helps improve your body awareness, mobility, and long-term pelvic health.
What Causes Pelvic Floor Pain?
Pelvic floor pain can stem from a wide range of underlying issues, and many of them aren’t obvious. Here is our list of common causes for pelvic floor pain.
Pregnancy and Childbirth: Vaginal delivery, C-sections, and even prolonged pushing can damage pelvic muscles. With damage and scar tissue, the healing can take longer than expected.
Injury or Surgery: Past surgeries involving the abdomen, hips, or spine can disrupt pelvic muscle coordination. Trauma from accidents or falls may also contribute to chronic pain.
Chronic Constipation or Straining: Ongoing bowel issues stress the pelvic floor. Over time, it causes pain and dysfunction with tight or uncoordinated muscles.
Hormonal Shifts: Menopause, menstruation, and postpartum hormone changes can affect muscle tone and tissue sensitivity in the pelvic area.
Stress and Muscle Tension: Stress and anxiety can sometimes carry tension to the Pelvic floor. Addressing mental wellbeing and daily routine can improve the condition.
Sports or Heavy Lifting: Athletes who perform repetitive, high-impact movements or who lift without proper core engagement can overload the pelvic floor muscles.
What Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Do, and How Does It Help?
Pelvic floor therapy is more than just Kegel exercises. It’s a tailored approach led by trained professionals that addresses the function, coordination, and relaxation of the muscles that support your bladder, bowel, and sexual organs.
It targets your specific symptoms
If you’re dealing with pain, leaking, pressure, or muscle tension, therapy is designed to meet your unique needs. Pain, leaking, pressure, or muscle tension, therapy is designed to meet your unique needs
It helps restore muscle balance
Muscle imbalance can lead to overuse of other muscles. With therapy, it retains muscles together and ultimately improves control and comfort.
It reduces pain without medication
Manual therapy, breathing techniques, posture corrections, and muscle release techniques can reduce chronic pain without relying on drugs.
It supports whole-body healing
Pelvic health should be viewed holistically. Therapists work with your posture, breathing, and movement patterns for a better and comprehensive recovery.
It improves quality of life
Great pelvic health leads to great everything else. From your bathroom break to an enjoyable exercise and daily life, good health is the key.
What to Expect During a Pelvic Floor Therapy Appointment
It’s normal to feel nervous visiting a pelvic floor therapy, especially if it’s your first time. Here’s what to expect during your visit to a clinic:
A thorough consultation: Your therapist will take time to understand your medical history, symptoms, and goals. Expect questions about your bladder, bowel, sexual health, pregnancies, and physical activities.
Movement and posture assessments: You may be asked to walk, bend, or perform light exercises so the therapist can evaluate how your body moves. They may also observe your breathing, core activation, and hip alignment for a comprehensive assessment.
An internal assessment (with consent): Only with your permission, the therapist may perform an internal vaginal or rectal exam to assess the tone and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles, when necessary.
Personalized treatment plan: You’ll receive a plan that may include manual therapy, relaxation techniques, specific exercises, and education. Your therapist will teach you how to reconnect with your pelvic floor muscles—whether you need to strengthen, lengthen, or better control them.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don’t have to live with discomfort or uncertainty. Whether you’re recovering from childbirth, managing chronic symptoms, or just want to improve your pelvic floor health, therapy can help.
We want you to live a healthy and happy life. If you are recovering from childbirth or managing chronic symptoms, therapy can help. Here at Rebalance Physical Therapy, we provide a safe environment and protect your privacy so that you can feel comfortable during the examination and treatment.
