Why would I need to see a Pelvic Health Physio?
Whilst women and older people tend to have a higher chance of suffering with Pelvic Floor symptoms, the truth is that anyone can have some form of pelvic floor dysfunction that can benefit from Physiotherapy.
Prenatal and Post-natal is one of the most common times when pelvic floor symptoms might arise. Through pregnancy and labour women’s bodies go through a lot of change and core muscles must stretch and lengthen in a short space of time. This can often lead to pain and weakness around the lower back, tailbone, pelvis, and hips. Along with pain individuals may also experience symptoms such as incontinence, prolapses, and pain with sexual intercourse. Through assessment and a structured exercise program focussing on gradually building core muscle strength and control which over time and with supervised progression will improve these symptoms.
Menopause reduces a women’s oestrogen levels significantly and oestrogen is important in maintaining optimal function in the pelvic floor region. Therefore, when going through the menopause women are at higher risk of developing pelvic health concerns and may experience symptoms such as bulging, incontinence, overactive bladder, and pelvic pain. Pelvic Floor strengthening and control therefore plays an important role in improving these symptoms in combination with treatments from a doctor.
Men can also experience pelvic floor symptoms, the most common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction with men include chronic pelvic pain, chronic prostatitis, reduction in testosterone, post-surgical, and post prostatectomy. Common symptoms that men may be experiencing include the feeling of incomplete bladder or bowel emptying, constipation, slow/weak stream, incontinence, pelvic pain, back pain, and erectile dysfunction. Physiotherapy designed at specifically targeting the pelvic floor and core muscle groups, along with education and manual techniques can help restore control and function as well as improve testosterone production.
After undergoing surgery, specifically an abdominal or pelvic surgery, it is also common to experience pelvic floor concerns. This may be due to the surgical procedure itself or due to prolonged catheterization. Commonly, post-surgery physiotherapy treatment will work towards decreasing pain, improving scar mobilisation, and restoring mobility and function through exercise and education.