Pelvic Health
Everyone wants to know what, and where is, the pelvic floor? Young, old, male and female, everyone has a pelvic floor. Optimal function of the pelvic floor is essential to happy, healthy human life.
A happy pelvic floor = happy you.
Did you know?
In 74.4% of women having borne one child, who had low back or pelvic area pain, a diastasis rectus abdominus was detected.
50% of women who have had children have some degree of pelvic prolapse (fallen bladder, for example)
50% of women who have surgery (for prolapse) will have a relapse
55% of women over the age of 65 have urinary incontinence
3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some point in their lives
What is the
pelvic floor?
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The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sit at the very bottom of your pelvis in a hammock-type fashion; spanning from the tailbone and the back of the pelvis to the pubic bones in the front. The pelvic floor muscles have a big job to do: they hold up all the organs directly above (the bladder, uterus, rectum and prostate), and also surround the openings of the urethra, rectum, and, in women the vagina. Through the pelvic floor we urinate, relieve our bowels, and enjoy intimacy and sexual relations.
What is pelvic
floor dysfunction?
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Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs for different reasons, however, in all cases the pelvic muscles are not operating as they should. Urinary incontinence (UI) is just one type of pelvic floor dysfunction, which 1 in 3 women will experience in their lifetime. Although UI is a common condition, it is not “normal” to have incontinence or pelvic prolapse. A variety of pathology may lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, but the most common are with respect to changes in the muscles’ function and length.
Pelvic floor muscles may shorten in response to abdominal or pelvic surgery, scar tissue, a painful urinary tract infection or painful menstruation (among other conditions). Tight and short pelvic floor muscles are more commonly associated with urinary frequency and urgency, stress incontinence, dyspareunia (pain during sex), chronic pelvic pain, painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis), pudendal neuralgia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, tailbone pain, and chronic prostatitis.
For different reasons, the muscles of the pelvic floor may be generally weak, or have become ‘lengthened’. This muscle weakness may develop after carrying and delivering a baby, from a back injury, or even from chronic coughing. Weak pelvic floor muscles may also be related to spinal posture, especially of the upper spine. This presentation is more commonly associated with incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
- In 74.4% of women having borne one child, who had low back or pelvic area pain, a diastasis rectus abdominus was detected.
- 50% of women who have had children have some degree of pelvic prolapse (fallen bladder, for example)
- 50% of women who have surgery (for prolapse) will have a relapse
- 55% of women over the age of 65, have Urinary Incontinence
- 3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some point in their lives
What are
kegels?
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Pelvic floor muscle strength helps to control and prevent urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Many women start with Kegel exercises (also called pelvic floor muscle strengthening) to try to help manage their condition and become discouraged when they don’t see results. Kegels are not indicated for all incontinence, and kegel exercises can also be carried out incorrectly. Many different things can cause pelvic floor dysfunction, which is why kegels are not always indicated, particularly for conditions of urgency, frequency and pelvic pain. Whether, and when, you start a pelvic floor strengthening program depends on what type of pelvic floor condition you have; diagnosing this is the expertise of a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. Research shows that kegels can sometimes do more harm than good is when a kegel contraction is not done correctly:
- 51% of women given verbal training to contract their pelvic floor muscle contracted incorrectly
- 25% of women “push out”, instead of “pulling in”, stretching the pelvic floor muscle
A certified Core Restore Pelvic Health Physiotherapist can assess you and determine whether your condition is appropriate for strengthening exercises, as well as if you’re correctly contracting your pelvic floor.
What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Pelvic Health physiotherapists have post-graduate education and specialized certification to qualify for their distinction, which is registered with the College of Physiotherapists.
Pelvic Health physiotherapists assess and treat conditions related to the muscles, fascia, ligaments and nerves in the pelvis. Pelvic health physiotherapy involves regaining optimal function of your pelvic floor and pelvic region, achieving healthy bladder and bowel control, ideal muscle strength and pelvic organ support, and pain-free (sexual) function.
A certified Core Restore Pelvic Health Physiotherapist can help with your pelvic floor dysfunction:
urinary leakage with laughing, jumping, coughing
urinary leakage associated with urgency
urinary frequency
the key in the door syndrome
trouble with Kegel exercises
pelvic floor weakness
heaviness, pressure or feeling of fullness in the pelvic area
pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, uterine prolapse, or rectocele)
protrusion of tissue outside the vaginal entrance
scar tissue from tears or episiotomy
difficulty passing stool
fecal incontinence
constipation
hemorrhoids
tailbone pain
pelvic pain
pain and cramping during menstruation
pain during sex
difficulty with erection
Pre and Post-Prostatectomy
Pediatric urinary and bowel dysfunction