Overview
Expert care for your journey to pelvic health and wellness.
- Rapid access to specialist consultants
- Comprehensive assessments
- Tailored treatment programs
- Ongoing support and guidance
What Is The Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor consists of a network of muscles and connective tissues stretching across the base of your pelvis, from the pubic bone at the front to the sacrum or tailbone at the back. This foundational layer plays a pivotal role in supporting your pelvic organs and maintaining core stability.
Functions of Pelvic Floor Muscles
The pelvic floor muscles have multifaceted functions that are crucial for providing support for the bladder, uterus and bowel, aiding in sexual health, and contributing to overall pelvic and core stability.
Supports the pelvic organs
This includes the bladder, bowel, and in women, it extends to the uterus, providing essential support and maintaining organ alignment.
Manages intra-abdominal pressure
Works in harmony with the abdomen, diaphragm and back muscles to regulate internal pressure, especially during physical exertion or activities like lifting.
Maintains continence
These muscles contract during coughs, sneezes, or strains to prevent involuntary leakage of urine.
Supports organ function
Essential for the proper functioning of the bladder, bowel, and in women, the reproductive system, aiding in urinary and fecal control.
Facilitates sexual function
Plays a role in sexual health by supporting sexual function.
Core stability and posture
Integral to the body’s core, aiding in the stabilisation of the pelvis and spine, and contributing to overall posture and movement efficiency.
What Is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialised form of physical therapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of the pelvis and pelvic floor muscles. These muscles, crucial for various bodily functions, can sometimes become weakened, overly tight, or dysfunctional, leading to a range of symptoms and health issues. Through targeted exercises, manual techniques, and education, pelvic physiotherapy aims to co-ordinate, strengthen or relax these muscles, improving their function and enhancing overall pelvic health.
This therapy is not only about exercises; it’s a comprehensive approach that may include manual therapy, education on lifestyle and behavioural modifications, and techniques to improve muscle coordination and function. Whether you’re experiencing incontinence, pelvic pain, or other related conditions, pelvic physiotherapy offers a tailored and evidence-based approach to help restore your pelvic health and improve your quality of life.
How Do You Know If You Need Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
Recognising the need for pelvic health physiotherapy is crucial for your well-being, as various signs indicate a weakened or dysfunctional pelvic floor. These symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life and may include:
- Involuntary leakage of urine when coughing, laughing, or exercising
- Urgent or frequent need to urinate
- Difficulty controlling bowel movements
- Sensation of heaviness or bulging in the pelvic area
- Painful intercourse
- Persistent lower back or pelvic pain
- Several factors can contribute to pelvic floor issues, including pregnancy, childbirth, ageing, obesity, heavy lifting, or traumatic injury. These conditions can stretch, weaken, or overly tighten the pelvic floor muscles, leading to the symptoms mentioned.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional. Pelvic health physiotherapy could be a beneficial intervention to improve your pelvic health and overall quality of life.
Conditions Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Treat
Pelvic health physiotherapy offers a targeted approach to address and alleviate a range of conditions affecting the pelvic floor muscles. By employing specialised techniques, this form of physiotherapy can significantly improve your quality of life, addressing issues that may affect daily activities and overall well-being.
- Incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain
- Pregnancy and postpartum recovery
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Sexual dysfunction
By addressing these conditions, pelvic physiotherapy not only improves specific symptoms but also enhances overall pelvic health, contributing to a better quality of life.
Your Pelvic Floor Physio Consultation
Your initial pelvic health physiotherapy consultation can typically be arranged within a week, ensuring you receive timely and effective care tailored to your needs.
During your consultation, our experienced pelvic physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand your symptoms and medical history. This evaluation includes discussing your lifestyle, any specific concerns, and the goals you wish to achieve through physiotherapy. It’s a collaborative process where your comfort and privacy are prioritised, ensuring a supportive environment.
The consultation involves a physical examination, which may include an assessment of your pelvic floor muscle function. This examination helps in creating a personalised treatment plan designed to address your specific conditions and goals. Throughout this process, we ensure clear communication and provide you with the necessary information to understand your pelvic health and the steps we can take together to improve it.
How To Prepare for Pelvic Floor Physio
For your pelvic physiotherapy preparation, gather your medical history, track your bladder and bowel habits, wear comfortable clothes, drink plenty of water, and prepare any questions you have. Your health care professional will offer specific advice on these steps to enhance your treatment effectiveness.
How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Works
Pelvic health physiotherapy involves a series of targeted exercises and techniques designed to impact, coordinate, strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles, improving their function and alleviating symptoms. During therapy sessions, you can expect a combination of manual therapies, education on pelvic health, personalised exercise programs, and possibly biofeedback or electrical stimulation, all tailored to your specific needs.
However, it’s important to note that pelvic physiotherapy does not involve surgical procedures. Instead, it focuses on non-invasive methods to enhance pelvic floor health. If your condition requires surgical intervention, that would fall under a different medical speciality. Pelvic physiotherapy is often recommended as a first-line treatment or as part of post-surgical rehabilitation to ensure the best outcomes and support in recovery processes.
Pelvic Floor Physio Aftercare and Recovery
After your pelvic health physiotherapy sessions, you’ll receive a personalised program of care, aiding in improving muscle strength and function. Your specialist will outline a tailored aftercare plan, including the duration and frequency of exercises, based on your specific needs, ensuring you’re equipped to maintain your progress independently. Follow-ups may be advised to adjust your plan as needed.
Why Choose Mid Ulster Clinic for Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
Choose Mid Ulster Clinic for your pelvic health physiotherapy and experience the benefits of our dedicated care. With short waiting times, you’ll quickly gain access to our expert consultants who specialise in pelvic health. We pride ourselves on creating treatment plans tailored to your unique needs, ensuring you receive the most effective and individualised care. Our clinic offers a supportive and discreet environment, where you can feel comfortable discussing and addressing your pelvic floor concerns, all while benefiting from the latest evidence-based therapies and techniques in the field.
- Medically Reviewed
Last Reviewed By A Medical Professional On 01/29/24
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you have pelvic problems?
You might have pelvic problems if you experience incontinence, pelvic pain, discomfort during intercourse, or a heavy sensation in the pelvic region. These symptoms can indicate issues with your pelvic floor muscles.
How do you know if your pelvic floor is weak?
Signs of a weak pelvic floor include urinary or fecal leakage, difficulty controlling gas, a sensation of heaviness in the pelvic area, and challenges with sexual function. These symptoms suggest that your pelvic floor muscles may not be functioning optimally.
What is done in pelvic floor physiotherapy?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy involves evaluating and treating dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles through exercises, manual therapy, education, and sometimes biofeedback or electrical stimulation, tailored to address specific symptoms and improve pelvic floor health.
Does pelvic floor physiotherapy really work?
Yes, pelvic floor physiotherapy can be very effective, especially for conditions like incontinence, pelvic pain, and postpartum recovery. Success depends on the individual’s condition, adherence to the prescribed exercises, and the expertise of the physiotherapist.
What do you wear to physio for pelvic floor?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your pelvic floor physiotherapy sessions. This allows for easy movement and access to assessments and treatments. Comfortable pants and a top that you can move freely in are ideal choices.