How much do you know about Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

What is pelvic floor PT?

It is the treatment of dysfunctions related to the pelvic floor. These can cause issues related to pain, including low back pain, pelvic pain, dyspareunia (pain with sexual intercourse), or vulvodynia. They can also lead to functional problems like urinary incontinence or urgency, fecal incontinence or urgency, constipation, nocturia (having to urinate during the night), or prolapse. Pelvic floor physical therapy is used to treat these disorders by evaluating to find the source of the problem and restoring proper function.

What conditions are treated?

- Urinary Incontinence (urge, stress, and mixed)

- Constipation

- Fecal urgency

- Pelvic, low back, sacral, hip pain

- Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)

- Nocturia (urination at night)

- Post partum recovery

- Post partum incisional pain or scarring (c-sections or vaginal deliveries)

- Vulvodynia

- Diastasis recti

Why is this treatment provided by a physical therapist?

The pelvic floor is made up of skeletal muscle. These muscles work closely with the muscles of the hips, abdomen, and low back; as well as coordinate with muscles of respiration including the diaphragm. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal muscle along with the knowledge of biomechanics and how these different areas of the body work together is crucial in restoring the patient back to full, normal function.

Who needs pelvic floor PT?

Women often assume that pelvic floor symptoms are normal. They may be common, but they are not normal. Issues like incontinence, nocturia, sacroiliac joint pain, constipation, sensation of pressure on the pelvic floor, pelvic pain, dyspareunia (pain with sexual intercourse), and diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal wall), are just some of the issues that can be treated with pelvic floor PT. Urinary leakage of any amount with any type of activity is abnormal and should be addressed, even with physical activity such as running or weightlifting. Although these issues can arise at many different times in a woman’s life, after pregnancy and after menopause are common times for them to occur. It is always important when seeking treatment for pelvic conditions to have an evaluation performed by your physician to assess appropriateness of physical therapy.

What should I expect with pelvic floor PT?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is used to help decrease symptoms, not to cause fear. A thorough history will be taken for the physical therapist to fully understand what the patient has been experiencing. An evaluation will be done on the biomechanics of the whole body, then more specifically on local joints, including the low back and hips. If required, the pelvic floor muscles are evaluated for strength, trigger points, and function. When the cause of the symptoms is found, a treatment plan is put together, with the goal being to return to normal function. This starts with more targeted treatment, and progresses to functional movements and activities.

For further specifics on treatment, please visit www.rehabon.com or email support@rehabon.com. Call Rehabon Physical Therapy at 630-442-7278 and ask for

Andrea San Luis DPT.

How to prevent that low back pain at work (Desk work)?

Research shows that 60% of working professionals will experience some form of low back pain once in their lifetime. If you sit for more than 4–6hrs/day, you need to reassess, how you are spending that time.

There are five ways you can prevent it before you become the victim of low back pain statistics repetitively.

1. Pacing at work:

Try to learn to pace yourself from that screen time, phone time. I usually advice my clients to stand for 20 mins and sit for 30 mins (20–30 Rule). We are not superhuman, we all need strategy. You know, you could stand during that corporate phone meeting too.

2. Change your daily work routine:

I am not talking about your project deadline here. Surprise your body by conducting meeting half standing/half sitting. Conduct walk/talk meetings. Invest in adjustable or standing desk. If there is a $$$ issue, talk to your HR/Wellness Department or boss directly that it would be a good idea to have a standing desk between 3–5 employees to share on a daily basis.

3. Establish simple stretches during day:

We are busy creatures. Between, family, friends and work responsibilities your body is not getting enough mobility. Due to prolonged sitting posture, front of the body muscles gets weak (jiggly abdominals) and back muscles are overused and over stretched.

4. Take a short walk during your break:

Nothing big, research shows that walking for 10 mins during your work shift will add benefits to your low back pain. If weather permits, tell your boss to conduct that boring quarterly meeting outdoors or while taking leisurely stroll or around a peaceful public park.

5. Hydrate and nourish your body:

We all have been told to drink water before you feel thirsty. It’s true for low back pain too because your joints including your spine needs constant hydration. surprisingly, lot of people forget to drink water at work. Yes!! It is about time to use that gift card for local yoga studio or joining the gym to swim.

If you are still experiencing that pain, it's time to talk to your physical therapist or primary care physician. Try to stay away from narcotics, injections and knife happy surgeons as a primary option for your treatment. There are no magic bullets but majority of low back pain symptoms can be resolved with conservative measures like exercises, manual therapy and pain management.

*My lawyer told me to inform you that this is an informative article not a medical advice.

-- Irfan Ibrahim is an Owner/Physical Therapist at Rehabon Physical Therapy, Downers Grove IL 60515. He enjoys sunshine and rainbows with his three children. Loves hiking, biking and golfing but he has accepted to live with his mediocre skills. Questions??!! Email him: Irfan@rehabon.com follow him on Facebook