Pelvic floor physiotherapy treatments address the pain and discomfort associated with weak or imbalanced pelvic floor muscles. Even if you’ve been doing your Kegel exercises on a regular basis, you might still have trouble with lower back pain or abdominal pain or discomfort during sex. That’s where we come in.
There are two general problems with pelvic floor muscles: hypotonic and hypertonic. Hypotonic means that the muscle are too weak, causing involuntary urination and contributing to pelvic organ prolapse—or the drop of an organ, such as the bladder, to a lower position. Pelvic organ prolapse primarily affects women after childbirth or surgery.
Hypertonic problems result from pelvic floor muscles that are too tight. This can lead to urgent needs to urinate or defecate, frequent pelvic pains, and chronic prostate gland inflammation.
By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help treat the painful symptoms of the mentioned problems, as well as involuntary urination. Additionally, it can also help men recover more quickly after having their prostates removed. Pregnant women can also benefit by using it as a prenatal vaginal-strength strike. Kegels exercises, however, are not for everyone, so before enrolling in such treatment, consult with a qualified physiotherapist first.
It is important to remember that pelvic floor muscles are part of the entire musculoskeletal system, and as such, some pelvic floor problems may actually be originating from problems in the system as whole.
Common areas that may refer pain to the pelvic region include: the abdomen, lower back, hips, pubic symphysis (the firm, fixed joint between the two pubic bones) and sacro-iliac joint (the joint formed by the sacrum and ilium where they meet on either side of the lower back).
Based on your examination, your pelvic health physiotherapist will work with you to put together a plan of care that is specific to your particular goals, symptoms and dysfunction. Pelvic physio treatments are different than physio for a sprain or strain. Most clients will be advised to book the first two (1 hour) appointments one week apart in order to get you started. Subsequent treatments will be 30 minutes (unless coming from out of town, or advised otherwise) and booked approximately 2-3 weeks apart.
Questions? Want to book an appointment with our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist in Burlington? Please give the clinic a call at 905-635-5711 or send us an email at info@omniclinic.ca
