Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for Active Women
Understanding what pelvic health means and how physical therapy is a solution
Are you experiencing pain in the pelvic region? Do you maintain an active lifestyle and still find yourself struggling with symptoms like urine, gas, or fecal leakage? Our highly trained physical therapists at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy in IL will get to the root of your issues, help you alleviate your pelvic issues and get you back to doing the things you love!
The pelvic floor is a vital and complex system that can be difficult to understand. However, it’s an integral part of our bodies that helps to keep things functioning as they should. Women’s pelvic health is essential, primarily through life changes such as pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause that heavily impact our bodies.
Studies have shown that female athletes, especially those participating in specific high-impact sports, are more likely to develop pelvic issues. However, your pelvic floor muscles will benefit from regular, consistent exercise.
At Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy in IL, our therapists can teach you more about the pelvic floor muscles, related disorders, and the pelvic floor’s role related to physical activity. If you have struggled with pain, incontinence, or any other symptoms in the pelvic region, we can help! We’ll assess your conditions and design an effective treatment plan.
To set up a consultation, call us today!
What is the pelvic floor?
The term “pelvic floor” describes the a group of muscles located in the bottom aspect of the pelvis between the tailbone and pubic bone. This essential complex supports the bowel, bladder, and uterus in females. The pelvic floor communicates and works with other structures in the body to ensure everything is working correctly.
When the pelvic floor isn’t operating as it should, it can lead to pain and dysfunction with bowel, bladder, and sexual function. This is referred to as pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).
This condition can be caused by several factors, including:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Straining with bowel movements and urination
- Traumatic physical injuries to the pelvis
- Surgeries that involve the pelvis, back, abdomen, and hips
- Psychological and sexual trauma
- Aging
- Stress and anxiety
- Muscle guarding
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Connective tissue disorders
- Neurological disorders
Strong pelvic floor muscles are essential with most regular activities where force is added to the abdomen, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, and lifting. When these muscles are weak, PFD may occur. Fortunately, our physical therapists at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy can identify your condition and resolve symptoms!
Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction
PFD symptoms can vary widely depending on the condition, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors. Symptoms can often be dismissed due to being commonplace, normalized by society, or not taken seriously by medical providers. Your specialist will be able to evaluate the situation and get to the root of your issues.
Those who experience pelvic floor dysfunction may notice issues like urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control. Others may struggle with intense, unexplained pain in the lower back, hip, or abdomen.
Other symptoms might include:
- Pain in the tailbone, pelvic area, or groin
- Pain during intercourse
- Difficulty or inability to orgasm
- Constipation or rectal pain
- Incomplete bladder or bowel emptying
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Bowel incontinence
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy so that our specialists can evaluate and help you improve your symptoms and restore normal function.
Physical activity and pelvic health in women
While mild to moderate physical activity decreases the chance of urinary incontinence, female athletes are much more susceptible to pelvic floor dysfunction.
According to studies, females with this condition can struggle in their athletic performance, participation in sports, and overall quality of life. Research suggests that women participating in sports involving running, jumping, and high-impact landing are at a higher risk for PFD. This includes sports like gymnastics, cheerleading, track and field, long-distance running, power lifting, and dance.
Strenuous activity may put females at risk for PFD. Fortunately, like other muscles in your body, your pelvic floor will become stronger with a regular exercise regime.
How physical therapy at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy is a solution
Your pelvic floor therapist will address your issues and concerns and create an individualized care plan for your recovery. All sessions are held in private rooms to ensure patients’ comfort and discretion. Our therapists coordinate patient care with other practitioners and specialists to provide a wide variety of effective treatment options.
At your first appointment, your pelvic floor therapist will thoroughly review your medical history, present symptoms, and any goals you’d like to achieve. Then, they will complete a holistic examination which can include assessing tissue, joints, and muscles that may be contributing to you symptoms. They will create an individualized treatment plan to address your symptoms and get you back to normal.
Ready to get back to your workouts, sport, or other daily activities symptom free?
Call us at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy today to set up an appointment!