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Pelvic Floor Therapy 101: Everything You Need to Know

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Posted by Casey Bailey

As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I help patients of all ages and genders get relief from symptoms like pain, bowel and bladder problems, and issues affecting sexual intercourse. That often starts with explaining what the pelvic floor is, how problems can develop, and how pelvic floor physical therapy can improve their quality of life.

As I tell my patients, your pelvic floor is a hammock-like band of muscles that supports your bladder, bowels, reproductive organs, and core. It can become weak or overly tight due to aging, childbirth, or stress. 

Medical conditions can also contribute to pelvic floor concerns. That could include people recovering from prostate cancer or who have had gender-affirming surgery

Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that focuses on these issues. It can strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles or relax muscles that have become too tight. It can help you have better bladder and bowel control, less pelvic pain, and improved sexual function. It can help everyone.

The benefits of pelvic floor therapy 

Over the course of 6 to 12 sessions, most of my patients see a big improvement in pelvic floor symptoms such as:

Many of my patients tell me these problems aren’t just physically uncomfortable. They can cause anxiety and embarrassment. Pelvic floor therapy can relieve that stress and restore self-confidence and well-being.

Private, personalized, pelvic floor physical therapy

At Temple, our Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Program offers private sessions that are tailored to you. And our experienced therapists are always sensitive to your needs. Here’s what to expect. 

Your first visit

Your pelvic floor therapist will spend the first session — which takes about an hour — getting to know you. They will ask you about your symptoms and concerns along with your medical and family history. You might be asked to bend, squat, or perform other movements to give your therapist a sense of your functional abilities.You’ll also have a physical exam to assess your pelvic floor muscles. 

Next, you and your therapist will put together an individualized treatment plan. The goal is to address the root cause of your pelvic floor issues to:

  • Improve your symptoms
  • Support long-term healing
  • Enhance your quality of life 

Follow-up visits

After the initial exam, most patients come for weekly sessions for four to six weeks. During these visits, you’ll work on exercises that help strengthen or relax your pelvic floor. Your therapist may also use other types of training or therapy too. That might include internal massage techniques. 

Education is an important part of pelvic floor therapy. Your therapist will discuss your daily activities with you to learn how well the therapy is working. They may suggest lifestyle changes that can help you manage your symptoms, such as:

  • Changing your posture to support your pelvic floor
  • Limiting coffee to ease symptoms of overactive bladder
  • Adapting your bathroom habits to reduce pelvic floor stress
  • Managing stress

You may also be given exercises to perform at home. That might include Kegel exercises — but it might not. Many of my patients have heard of or tried certain exercises, such as Kegels, already. They may be surprised to learn that it’s best to be evaluated by a pelvic floor therapist for specific recommendations first. That’s because doing the wrong type of exercises or doing certain ones too often could actually make symptoms worse instead of better.

Get personalized pelvic floor support

You don’t have to live with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. If you think pelvic floor physical therapy might be right for you, reach out to Temple’s Physical Therapy department. Call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) or request an appointment online. We’re here to help. 

Helpful Resources

Looking for more information?

Casey Bailey

Casey Bailey is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at Temple University Hospital.

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