Pelvic Health
A specialized, total body approach to the assessment and treatment of various conditions that involve the pelvis and pelvic floor.
WHAT IS PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY?
A specialized approach to the assessment and treatment of various conditions that involve the pelvis and pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is comprised of ligaments, nerves, connective tissue, and a group of muscles. The muscles are a mechanical sling that supports the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, prostate, and rectum). These muscles also wrap around your urethra, rectum and vagina. These muscles are able to contract to help maintain continence of your bladder and bowels, and they are able to relax to allow for urination, bowel movements, and in women, sexual intercourse. Furthermore, the pelvic floor muscles also contribute to our core strength, providing postural stability of our spine, pelvis, and extremities.
What to Expect during your appointment:
Pelvic floor dysfunction is assessed and diagnosed by those specially trained, including doctors and physiotherapists. Both an internal and external examination are used to properly evaluate the pelvic floor musculature for strength, tension, and function. In Europe, an internal examination remains to be the Gold Standard in proper assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor. Research continues to demonstrate that internal examinations and treatment completed by a trained physiotherapist are highly successful for pelvic floor dysfunction.
A full body evaluation is also a part of your appointment to understand all the contributing factors to your pelvic floor dysfunction or pelvic pain.
Men and Athletes too?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is not only for women.
For example, an overactive pelvic floor is common among men and the athletic population. This can lead to weakness, contributing to overall core weakness, low back pain, hip pain, and even incontinence with jumping, running, and other explosive movements.
If ongoing low back or hip pain is a common occurrence for you, click on the link below to answer a few questions to see if a pelvic assessment is for you.
Kegals are not for everyone
This is the exercise commonly completed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Completing Kegels when they are done wrong or not indicated can cause more harm than good. Research shows that verbal or written instruction or cuing of pelvic floor muscle contraction is not adequate training to improve strength and function. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommend “proper performance of Kegel exercises should be confirmed by digital vaginal examination or biofeedback” (Clinical Guidelines, 2008).