PELVIC FLOOR

The pelvic floor muscles assist the bladder and bowel perform optimally as well as assist in sexual function. The pelvic floor includes ligaments, nerves and connective tissues; these muscles start from the pubic bone and go to the coccyx (tailbone). Many people are unaware if these structures and if they working efficiently and effectively. The pelvic floor is responsible for supporting the bladder, genitals, uterus (women), prostate (men) and rectum like a sling as well as keeping our core strong and our backs healthy.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is not generalized to incontinence alone. When the body is unable to control or support the muscles in the pelvic floor, or if traumatic injuries occur to the pelvic area, dysfunction may occur. Several symptoms may suggest pelvic floor dysfunction:

Do you have loss of bladder or bowel control when you cough, sneeze or laugh?

Do you have pelvic pain with or without intercourse?

Do you have pelvic girdle pain during and/or after your pregnancy?

Do you have frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom 

The pelvic floor muscles form a ‘sling’ to support the organs inside the pelvis—bladder, bowel (colon), uterus. Proper function of these muscles can be disrupted by surgery, heavy lifting, being overweight, childbirth, constipation or menopause, affecting bladder and bowel control, leading to incontinence (leakage) or prolapse. Physiotherapists are experts in muscle function, tone, and strength, and therefore have the expertise to to help with these and many other pelvic floor conditions.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help mange symptoms that many women experience with pregnancy. This can include:

Pelvic health physiotherapy can help prepare women mentally and physically for the challenge of labor, delivery and recovery.

Pelvic health physiotherapy can assist women with recovery from natural vaginal delivery as well as cesarean (C-section) delivery.

It’s not uncommon for men to have pelvic floor issues and pelvic pain. An assessment by a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help by looking for tension in pelvic muscles, joint restrictions, or nerve irritations. We may be able to help is you are experiencing:

During prostatectomy surgery, the internal urethral sphincter may be removed along with your prostate. This can cause leakage after your surgery. However, your pelvic floor muscles can be re-trained to act similarly to the lost sphincter. We can help you train these pelvic floor muscles to optimize their strength, endurance, and coordination in their new role. It’s better to start your program before your surgery. A pelvic health physiotherapist can help you by: