The pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles located at the base or floor of your pelvis and connects your pubic bone to your tailbone. These pelvic floor muscles support the pelvic organs which include the bladder, prostate (in men), uterus and vagina (in women), and the rectum.
When the pelvic floor muscles are functioning normally, you are able to use the bathroom with no trouble because the pelvic floor muscles tighten and relax easily. However, if you have pelvic floor dysfunction, these muscles will continue to tighten instead of relaxing, causing discomfort or pain. The tension can result in difficult and painful bowel movements or urine and/or stool leaks, among other symptoms.
The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for the following functions:
What Does a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Do?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is designed to alleviate any pain or discomfort caused by weak or imbalanced pelvic floor muscles. This targeted physiotherapy is recommended for a variety of pelvic floor disorders that include urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse, and other conditions.
Unfortunately, many people who experience such symptoms believe they just have to suffer through the pain, and yet there is an effective treatment they can undergo to help address these issues and make them feel better. A pelvic floor physiotherapist in Newmarket can help decrease the symptoms caused by pelvic dysfunction or eliminate them altogether.
During a pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment, a qualified public health physiotherapist will conduct an evaluation of your pelvic floor function. This is done in a private room. First, the pelvic floor physiotherapist will gather information about your symptoms and your medical history. Then he/she will perform a physical examination to assess your mobility in your lower back, hips, and sacroiliac joints. If necessary, you may need an internal vaginal or rectal examination so your therapist can thoroughly examine the function of your pelvic floor muscles before determining the best treatment plan. The internal exam will only be done with your informed consent. Once the physical examination has been completed, the pelvic floor therapist will propose a pelvic floor exercises plan that addresses your specific symptoms and pelvic floor needs.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Symptoms
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the pelvic floor muscles are either too weak or too tight or when the bones located in the pelvic region are not moving the way they are supposed to. This can interfere with the various bodily functions that take place in the pelvis and cause significant discomfort or pain. Some of the symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction are:
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes like menopause, excessive heavy lifting, pelvic surgery or straining when urinating or having a bowel movement.
Postnatal Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Newmarket
Childbirth is a traumatic event for the pelvic muscles. Just like any muscle in the body that experiences trauma, there need to be specific pelvic floor exercises to repair and restore the muscles in the pelvic floor to a healthy state after pregnancy and childbirth. The truth is that most women who have had vaginal births need to have pelvic floor physiotherapy if they experience the slightest symptoms like minor bladder leakage while sneezing or coughing, pain during sex, or feeling bloated.
Kegel exercises and pelvic floor exercises can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, however, if your symptoms continue to be prevalent, physiotherapy may be the best course of action for you.
The need for postnatal pelvic floor physiotherapy is not only limited to women who have vaginal births. Women who have cesarean deliveries often need to have pelvic floor physiotherapy. This is because the weight of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, and uterus put excessive pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. It’s important that you have your pelvic floor exercises assessed particularly before returning to any form of exercise after childbirth just to make sure that your muscles in your pelvic floor are working as they should and ready for increased activity.
Ready to Have Your Pelvic Floor Assessed?
If you are looking for “pelvic floor physiotherapy near me or pelvic floor exercises” in Newmarket or Mississauga, Newmarket Health & Wellness Center is a clear choice. Our qualified physiotherapists are trained to address pelvic floor dysfunction and help you feel better. Call us to book your pelvic floor assessment in Newmarket today.
