What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that forms a supportive sling at the bottom of the pelvis, from the pubic bone to the tailbone .

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specialty within the field of physical therapy. Pelvic Rehabilitation physical therapists are experts in treating bowel, bladder and sexual concerns

What does the Pelvic Floor do? What is the purpose of the Pelvic Floor?

The Pelvic Floor muscles assist in maintaining an upright posture, in supporting abdominal and pelvic organs, and in helping to control bladder, bowel and sexual activity. When these muscles become overused or underused, the result can be pain and decreased function in any of the areas mentioned above

What does a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist treat?

A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist treats a variety of conditions, some of which are listed below.

Pelvic pain

  • Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
  • Vulvodynia
  • Pudendal Neuralgia
  • Vulvar pain – clitoral, vaginal (difficulty sitting, wearing clothing, pain during and after intercourse)
  • Anal pain
  • Levator ani syndrome
  • Coccyx pain
  • Groin pain
  • Abdominal pain

Bladder

  • Incontinence (stress, urge or mixed)
  • Painful bladder syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis
  • Incomplete voiding or straining
  • Frequent urination
  • Frequent urinary tract infections

Bowel

  • Fecal urgency, frequency and incontinence
  • Incomplete emptying (unable to completely empty their bowels)
  • Constipation
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Anal fissures

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

  • Vaginal bulging
  • Feeling of pressure and heaviness in the pelvic region
  • Unable to keep a tampon inserted
  • Feeling of a golf ball in the rectal area

Pregnancy & Post-partum support

  • Education about body mechanics, birthing positions
  • Diastasis Recti Abdominis

Back, hip and pelvic pain/sciatica

Sacroiliac joint or pubic symphysis pain