Who Could Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that make up the bottom of the pelvis.  They support the pelvic organs including the bladder, uterus, and rectum.  These muscles are impacted by pregnancy, vaginal and cesarean delivery, perimenopause, menopause, and aging in general.  

I am a firm believer that everyone and anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby should receive a physical therapy assessment (at the very least!).  The human body is an amazing machine but guidance and education can go a long way.  

Perimenopause and menopause comes with significant changes in hormones which effect the pelvic floor and part of the natural aging process for women involves loss of muscle mass.

The good news is that muscles can be fixed!  We can make positive changes in strength, flexibility, and coordination in the pelvic floor which means goodbye to pelvic floor concerns.

Common conditions I work with include:

• Developing an exercise program that is safe to perform during pregnancy
• How to return to exercise following birth (6 weeks is not a magic number to resume any exercise!) or how to start an exercise program in general
• Preparation for Birth (the pelvic floor does not push out the baby)
• Low back, hip, pelvic, and SI (tailbone) pain
• Pain with intimacy 
• Diastasis Recti
• C-section recovery
• Scar tissue adhesions (cesarean, perineal tearing/incision, hysterectomy) 
• Urinary Incontinence (leakage with sneezing, coughing, running, jumping)
• Pelvic organ prolapse and prevention of prolapse surgery
• Peri and menopause