Pelvic Physical Therapy
Is a new area of women’s health. After pregnancy, women are very aware that the abdominal muscles are left flaccid and over stretched and one of the first exercises that she begins to do are to strengthen them. The muscles of the pelvic floor are also flaccid and over stretched but since they are not seen, women are not conscious of their weakness until they begin to have episodes of urinary leakage when they cough, jump, use force, laugh, sneeze, stoop down, carry weight, etc…. This is a type of incontinence. Organ prolapse is another symptom of weak pelvic floor muscles. The Pelvic Floor is a group of muscles that support the organs of the pelvis: bladder, uterus and intestines and their associated sphincters.
Consequences of weak pelvic floor muscles:
- INCONTINENCE, is the involuntary loss of urine during physical force such as cough, laugh, sneeze, bend, jump, lift or feeling of urgency.
- PROLAPSED organs
- PAIN
Pelvic Therapy Program is to strengthen the pelvic floor in order to:
- Managing Urinary Incontinence
- Support the pelvic organs
- Sphincters support
- Eliminate Pelvic Pain
- Improve sensitivity
- Improve the quality of Life
Pelvic Floor Muscles weaken from:
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Chronic Constipation
- Excessive Exercise
- Age
- Obesity
- Surgery
EVALUATION
The initial evaluation consists of an exam of muscle strength of the pelvic floor muscles taking measurements of ones ability to contract the muscles correctly. The patient will also be instructed in completing a urinary diary for 4 days to note objective urinary habits.
TREATMENT
Treatment will always include:
- Patient Education
- Pelvic Floor and abdominal exercises
- Bladder Training
Treatment may include:
- Biofeedback
- Electrical Stimulation
- Use of vaginal cones (weights)
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Early intervention through neurodevelopmental play
- Neuro-developmental Technique
- Importance of Therapeutic Play
- Myofascial Release (MFR)
- Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
- Kinesiotaping
- Treatment for Scoliosis
- Visual Stimulation
- Yoga for the Special Child ®
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Sensory Integration
- Compression Vest Therapy (Therasuit)
- Myofunctional Therapy
- Chronic Pain
- Modalities
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Pelvic Physical Therapy
- Treadmill Training
- Food School
- (CME) Cuevas Medek Exercises