Is Pelvic Floor Therapy for Me?

What is the pelvic floor? And why does it matter?

pelvic floor muscles

Your pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles, nerves, fascia, ligaments, and vessels. They create a bowl-shaped support within the bottom of your pelvis. The pelvis floor muscles work closely together with the deep core muscles of your abdomen, the diaphragm, and the muscles of the spine.

When functioning properly, the pelvic floor and core system work together to:

  1. Hold in and release urine, stool, and gas

  2. Perform sexual functions, such as relaxing for adequate insertion and contracting for orgasm

  3. Support the bladder, uterus, and rectum comfortably within the pelvis

  4. Stabilize the pelvis, core, and spine

When a part of the pelvic floor system becomes weakened, strained, or damaged, it can result in:

  1. Involuntary leaking of urine or stool

  2. Difficulty releasing urine or stool

  3. Pain in the pelvis, low back, hip, or tailbone

  4. Pain with intercourse

  5. Pelvic organ prolapse, or when the pelvic organs drop lower than the pelvis

Check your Pelvic Health
to determine if pelvic floor therapy is for you.

Do you experience any of the following? If you answer “yes” to any of the below, you would likely benefit from pelvic floor therapy.

  • Leaking urine during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or high-impact activities?

  • A strong, sudden urge to urinate, with or without leaking?

  • Leaking of stool or chronic constipation?

  • Pain with sex, ranging from mild discomfort to intense, sharp, or burning pain?

  • Pain near your vaginal opening, with urinating, or with bowel movements, after serious medical conditions have been ruled out?

  • Inability to have intercourse or insert a tampon due to tightness?

  • A feeling of heaviness, “falling out”, pressure, or bulging in the vagina or rectum?

  • Pain in your pubic bone, tailbone, lower back, hip, or groin that hasn’t responded to regular treatment?

Nearly 40% of women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction during their lifetime. Pregnancy and multiple births create increased stress on the pelvic floor musculature system, and can even cause tearing through important muscles and ligaments that assist in supporting organs and controlling bladder and bowel function. Even 10% of women who never give birth will experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Too often these women are left feeling as if these symptoms are just “normal” parts of post-partum or aging, and are given little guidance as to where they can seek effective non-invasive treatment.