Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

The pelvic floor refers to the muscle tissue that holds a woman's reproductive organs in place. When the pelvic floor becomes weakened or damaged, it can lead to pelvic organ prolapse where one or more reproductive organs pushes through (or “prolapses”) the floor. Pelvic floor physical therapy is designed to treat various types of pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction, including prolapse.

Request more information about pelvic floor physical therapy today: call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a women's health treatment created to combat pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction. Like all muscles in the body, the pelvic floor can suffer from dysfunction by being too tight or too loose.

A pelvic floor that is too loose can lead to pelvic organ prolapse. There are many different types of pelvic organ prolapse, including:

• Cystocele prolapse, which affects the bladder
• Uterine prolapse, which affects the uterus
• Urethrocele prolapse, which affects the urethra
• Vaginal vault prolapse, which affects the vagina
• Enterocele prolapse, which affects the small bowel
• Rectocele prolapse, which affects the rectum

Some women's health issues associated with an unrelaxed pelvic floor (too tight pelvic floor) include:

• Urinary incontinence
• Bowel incontinence
• Painful sex
• Pelvic pain
• Painful periods (dysmenorrgea)
• Constipation
• Pain when sitting

Some pelvic floor problems are caused by pregnancy, while others are genetic or nature.

How does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Work?

The methods used as a part of pelvic floor physical therapy will change depending on whether the pelvic floorneeds to be strengthened or relaxed. In general, some treatment options included in pelvic floor physical therapy include:

• Exercises to relax the pelvic floor
• Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor (kegel exercises)
• Bladder retraining
• Bowel retraining
• Flexibility exercises
• Diet adjustments and counseling

Some providers, but not all, make use of other therapy techniques such as biofeedback or electrical stimulation.

Often, treating the pelvic floor with physical therapy will extend to the areas of the body that surround the floor itself. By strengthening the muscles and joints around the pelvic floor, it is possible to reduce the strain of the pelvic floor.

For expectant mothers or those who have recently given birth, special care is taken to provide treatment tailored to their unique needs.

Request Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy has been used to help patients overcome issues like prolapse, painful sex and urinary incontinence. Request treatment information today: call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

Author

Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG As an expert in preventive care, innovative treatment solutions, and laparoscopic surgery, board-certified OB/GYN Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG, is a trusted practitioner who’s been in private practice since 1985. Dr. Zikria earned his doctor of medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He went on to complete a competitive surgical residency program at Georgetown University in Washington. Dr. Zikria then went through a comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology residency program through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at the Magee-Women’s Hospital. He welcomes new and existing patients to his practice in Milpitas, California.