Welcome to my Zealous Holistics blog (and my first post)!!! I’m excited to kick off this journey by starting with a common topic that is close to my heart and professional practice: pelvic floor therapy. As an Occupational Therapist specializing in this field, my goal is to shed light on the importance of pelvic floor health and how it can significantly impact your overall well-being.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of therapy aimed at improving the strength and function of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles form a hammock-like structure at the base of your pelvis, supporting the bladder, bowel, and, in women, the uterus. When these muscles are weak, tight, dysfunctional, or discoordinated, it can lead to a range of issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction.
My Role as an Occupational Therapist in Pelvic Floor Therapy
As an Occupational Therapist, my approach to pelvic floor therapy is holistic, focusing on the whole person rather than just the symptoms. I work with clients to understand their daily activities, routines, and how pelvic floor dysfunction affects their quality of life. I also address the physical body outside of the pelvic floor muscles, the mental and emotional components that often are a part of some diagnoses and symptoms, and lifestyle and behavioral changes that may be necessary to achieve each individual’s goals. This comprehensive approach ensures that therapy is tailored to individual needs and goals.
Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy can benefit a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to:
- Women Pre and Postpartum: Women attempting to conceive can face a multitude of challenges that a pelvic floor therapist can help navigate. Pregnancy changes the body in many ways. It is important to prepare the body for pregnancy, which a pelvic floor therapist is an expert in helping you to understand the changes that occur with pregnancy and postpartum to help prepare the body for these changes. Also, childbirth can weaken/change the pelvic floor muscles, leading to issues such as incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
- Men Post-Prostate Surgery: Prostate surgery can affect pelvic floor function, leading to incontinence and other issues.
- Individuals with Chronic Pelvic Pain: Conditions like interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic trauma, and chronic prostatitis can cause chronic pelvic pain that may be alleviated with pelvic floor therapy.
- People with Incontinence Issues: Whether urinary or fecal incontinence, strengthening the pelvic floor can help regain control.
- Individuals with varying pains in their bodies: Did you know an ankle sprain, shoulder injuries, TMJ, tailbone injuries from when you were 12 years old, abdominal surgeries, disc herniations, can all affect and cause dysfunctions of your pelvic floor? This is why it is so important to address and look at the whole physical body during your pelvic floor therapy evaluation and treatment.
Common Techniques and Exercises
Pelvic floor therapy involves a variety of techniques and exercises designed to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor muscles. Some common methods include:
- Internal Feedback: This technique is most important for helping clients learn how to feel and control their pelvic floor muscles effectively. We are often disassociated from these muscles, which affects their functions. This may be a recommended part of your therapy (though never necessary, especially without ongoing consent)
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques are used to release tension and improve muscle function. This can include internal and external soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy.
- Movement Reeducation: Teaching proper body mechanics and posture to reduce strain on the pelvic floor muscles.
- Tailored Home Exercise Program: Individualized exercise program can help to mobilize and strengthen the surrounding muscles of the pelvic floor to help stabilize the body more effectively. Your therapist will work with you to ensure that they can fit within your daily schedule and routines in order to achieve optimal results.
- Education and Lifestyle Modifications: Clients are educated on proper body mechanics, bladder habits, and lifestyle changes to support pelvic floor health. This can include dietary changes, bladder retraining, stress management techniques, and ergonomic adjustments.
Pelvic floor therapy is a vital aspect of holistic health care, and as an Occupational Therapist, I am passionate about helping my clients achieve optimal pelvic health and improve their quality of life. Stay tuned for more posts where we’ll explore various aspects of pelvic floor health, exercises, and holistic interventions! Be on the lookout for my next few posts about: the cost of pelvic floor therapy and is it covered by insurance, is pelvic floor Occupational therapy and Physical Therapy the same, does pelvic floor therapy work, what to wear to pelvic floor therapy, and many many more topics as we take this adventure together!