Physical Therapist Specializing in Pelvic Floor Issues

What kind of pelvic floor issues are most common?

Pelvic floor physical therapy covers a large array of issues including pelvic floor dysfunction, bowel or bladder incontinence, sexual dysfunction, painful or tight c-section or perineal scarring, diastasis recti abdominis, pelvic organ prolapse, vaginismus, labor and delivery preparation, vulvar/vaginal or clitoral pain, painful intercourse or difficulty with vaginal penetration, constipation, coccydynia, low back/hip/pelvic pain during or after pregnancy, endometriosis/chronic pelvic pain, post-surgical pelvic health, urinary urgency, frequency or bladder pain and difficulty returning to exercise postpartum. If you experience any of these issues, schedule your evaluation with Release Physical Therapy today.

What causes pelvic floor issues?

Pelvic floor issues can include pain, tightness, weakness, poor coordination, and postural abnormalities from a variety of diagnoses. If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule your appointment with Release Physical Therapy today and get your pelvic floor physical therapy started.

How do I know if I need pelvic floor physical therapy?

Anytime you have any questions or concerns about the muscles in your lumbopelvic region, issues with pelvic pain or pressure, leaking, or trouble with sexual activity, reach out to Mia Smyser at Release Physical Therapy to set up your appointment today and figure out what may be causing these concerns.

What can be done in pelvic floor physical therapy to help these issues?

Your pelvic floor physical therapist will do a full assessment of your posture, breathing, strength, and mobility and determine what needs to be done to correct your issue. Sometimes it is strengthening and sometimes it is relaxation and coordination. Reach out to Release Physical Therapy today to schedule your appointment today.

What are the benefits that come from doing pelvic floor physical therapy?

The benefits of doing pelvic floor physical therapy are for now and for your future. We can address issues in strength and coordination that may fix pain or pressure now, but can help prevent incontinence or prolapse down the road. Schedule your appointment today and get started with a healthy pelvic floor.

How often should someone do physical therapy for pelvic floor issues?

Everyone is different and your pelvic floor physical therapist can help determine how often and how long you will need physical therapy. Usually, more frequent visits are needed initially and then we decrease the frequency of sessions as you progress towards your goals.

How long does it take to see results from pelvic floor physical therapy?

Everyone is different and every diagnosis can vary in the frequency and duration needed for physical therapy. Some patients will see very quick results, and some take longer to achieve their goals.

Are there any at-home exercises you can recommend for someone to go along with pelvic floor physical therapy?

Yes, once your physical therapist has done a full evaluation and determined the diagnosis and plan of care that is best suited for you, you will be given some exercises to do at home that will help you achieve your goals. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that “just doing kegals” will make your pelvic floor better, but sometimes that is not the right exercise for you. Schedule your appointment at Release Physical Therapy today to figure out the best plan for your pelvic health.

What types of exercises or activities should not be done when someone is experiencing issues with their pelvic floor?

The exercises that are best for you are really dependent on your diagnosis. There is no one answer for everyone. It takes an individualized evaluation to determine what is best for you. Sometimes, kegels are the best answer for you, sometimes kegels are the wrong thing for you. Your expert pelvic health physical therapist can help you determine what exercises are best for you to meet your pelvic health goals.

What activities or elements of someone’s life can worsen their pelvic floor issues?

There are a wide variety of pelvic floor diagnoses, but often when you have an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist, they will ask about your exercise routine (do you lift heavy weights), your work life (do you sit at a desk all day?), your pregnancy history, your diet, and your bladder and bowel routine/habits. This can help answer questions to see if things such as bladder irritants, poor posture or poor pressure management could be contributing to your pelvic floor dysfunction. Contact Release Physical Therapy today to schedule an evaluation and see if any of these are leading to your pelvic floor troubles.