Women’s Health
Pelvic Pain/Incontinence/Post-Partum
Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat joint dysfunction, muscle tightness, weakness or imbalance in muscle groups, and nerve entrapment. Physical therapists trained specifically in the area of pelvic health can identify the possible generators of pelvic pain and incontinence and develop a treatment plan specific to the patient suffering from pelvic pain, weakness, and incontinence. A physical therapist trained in this area may utilize hands-on techniques to address muscle tightness or targeted exercises to improve muscle strength and reduce faulty patterns of muscle recruitment. Other treatment strategies may include biofeedback, retraining of uncoordinated muscles, postural training, and strengthening of the abdominal core muscles.
Physical therapists use their specialized medical training to completely evaluate and design a treatment program that is individualized for each patient.
Physical Therapy Can:
• Give you control over your life and your bladder.
• Save money and embarrassment by allowing less use of pads and undergarments.
• Reduce use of medications for incontinence.
• Possibly prevent the need for surgery
Physical Therapy Treatment May:
• Provide education on diet and nutrition to avoid food and drinks that may irritate the bladder.
• Advise on how to change behaviors that make symptoms worse.
• Offer techniques to help you find the right muscles and learn to use them correctly.
• Instruct pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles.
• Instruct exercises to stretch and strengthen other important muscles.
• Provide education for ways to decrease urinary urge and frequency.
• Utilize biofeedback that shows you how your muscles are working.
