Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Pro Function Pelvic health physiotherapy is a branch of orthopaedic physiotherapy that focuses on issues around the pelvic floor, pelvic girdle, tailbone, and genitalia. Additionally, Pelvic health physiotherapists have specialized training to evaluate your history as it relates to your pelvic area, and the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue, and nervous system directly with a vaginal or rectal exam.
A pelvic health evaluation is often the missing link in pelvic pain, low back or hip pain, or persistent core dysfunction. Therefore, this specialized approach is crucial for comprehensive care.
Isn’t pelvic health all just Kegels?
This is a common myth. Kegels are the general term for pelvic floor muscle contractions and gained favor in the past as the cure-all for incontinence, sexual pain, and many woes of the pelvis. However, issues arose when Kegels were prescribed to both men and women in an excessively broad and zealous manner without determining whether the pelvic floor was truly weak. Dr. Kegel himself individualized his prescription after an internal exam.
As we know better, we do better. We now understand that pelvic dysfunction can occur because the muscles are too short, or too tight, or the timing and synergy are off, or the connective tissue is adhered or the brain map of the area is disrupted, just like any other region in the body. We wouldn’t give shoulder exercises without directly assessing how the shoulder moves, or how strong and coordinated the muscles, nerves, and connective tissue are, and the same is true for the pelvic floor. Thus, a thorough assessment is essential.
What Conditions Might Require or Benefit from Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Additionally, Many conditions of the pelvic region can influence the state of the pelvic floor, and conversely, pelvic floor dysfunction can mimic symptoms of a variety of medical conditions. Often, when a medically diagnosed condition exists, we tend to attribute the majority of symptoms to that diagnosis and miss the opportunity to explore other causes of pain and dysfunction.
Therefore, addressing pelvic health is vital. Here you can get more common seek care of listen down:
- Stress or Urge Urinary Incontinence
- Fecal Incontinence or Constipation
- Pregnancy and Post-Natal Wellness and Recovery (vaginal or caesarean births)
- Pelvic Pain – male or female
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Vaginismus, Vulvodynia, or Vestibulodynia
- Low Back, SI Joint, or Hip Pain not responding to other multi-modal care
- Pelvic Post-Surgical or Post-Cancer Care
- Sexual Pain or Dysfunction
- Sexual or other Physical Traumas of the pelvis
- Persistent Core Dysfunction
- Interstitial Cystitis or Bladder Pain Syndrome
- Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
- Pediatric Persistent Bed Wetting
Assessment and Treatment Considerations
After your initial assessment, your plan of care will be discussed and jointly decided upon, as treatment is highly individualized.
Additionally, Clients with higher-risk pregnancies, such as those with placenta previa, incompetent cervix, pre-eclampsia, or multiples should seek the advice and clearance of their primary care provider, midwife, or OB-GYN before choosing a pelvic floor exam.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Appointments are always in high demand. Alternatively, you can call our office at 519-860-5090 to reserve your appointment. We look forward to meeting you.
