Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can be divided into several areas:
- Incontinence: Stress, Urge, and Mixed
- Pelvic pain: Urge incontinence, Dyspareunia – pain with intercourse, Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome), Chronic Prostatitis, Pudendal Neuralgia, Vulvodynia, Vaginismus
- Constipation
- Prolapse
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnancy
A manual examination of the pelvic floor (vaginal and / or rectal) is required to assess the condition of the tissues (skin, nerve, fascia, muscle) to determine the best type of treatment. The determination of whether the pelvic floor is hypertonic (tight/ poor relaxation) or hypotonic (weak) is important.
A stiff, poorly relaxed pelvic floor is often associated with pelvic pain, constipation and some incontinence conditions (urge incontinence). The treatment often involves techniques (manual & exercise) to assist in relaxing these tissues before any strengthening is initiated.
A weak pelvic floor is often associated with prolapse and most incontinence conditions. Pelvic floor strengthening is required to resolve/ optimize these conditions.
Research has indicated that pelvic floor muscle training is the first line of treatment recommended for stress, urge and mixed incontinence in women. Incontinence is not a normal part of ageing nor is it normal to have urinary leakage after childbirth. Urinary incontinence is a treatable condition.
Physiotherapy Associates of Port Perry utilizes Neurotrac technology, as required, to assess the amount and quality of muscle activity, provide biofeedback and/ or muscle stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles.
We carry Uresta Bladder Support products, a non-surgical and self-managed solution for light leakage or prolapse. Visit uresta.com for more information.
Pelvic Health Solutions website, an educational resource, has valuable information under “For the Patient” section that you may wish to refer to. Feel free to ask us any questions.