Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions involving the pelvic floor or symptoms that are related to this area.
A Pelvic Health Physiotherapist has completed training specifically in the area of pelvic health with advanced education and knowledge in the treatment of pelvic floor related disorders. They consider dysfunctions of the external musculoskeletal system, but are also trained to evaluate the pelvic floor system internally in order to provide an effective treatment plan.
Conditions Pelvic Health Physiotherapists treat may include:
• Urinary Urgency
• Urinary Frequency
• Urinary and Bowel Incontinence
• Nocturia (frequent waking at night to pass urine)
• Enuresis (passing urine unintentionally during sleep)
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Chronic Pelvic pain
• Pain with Intercourse
• Constipation
• Pre/Post Partum pelvic pain including joint pain, scarring from c-section, episiotomy or tearing • Pelvic pain related to Endometriosis, IBS, Interstitial Cystitis and post surgical procedures
• Diastasis Recti
• Symphasis pubis dysfunction
• Sacroiliac joint pain
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor includes muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissue which all play a vital role in the optimal structure and function of this area. It is made up of layers of muscle tissue and ligaments that are anchored within the ‘bowl’ of the pelvis. These structures work as a sling to support all the organs of the pelvis including the bladder, small intestine, rectum and in women the uterus and vagina. The ability of the pelvic floor muscles to contract as well as relax is critical to normal bowel, bladder and sexual function. Pelvic floor dysfunction created either through weakness, laxity or spasm, can have a significant impact on your overall health and quality of life.
How can Physiotherapy help?
Men and women are often reluctant to seek help for this area, but there is a great deal of help available from physiotherapy.
Treatments may include:

• Education on lifestyle, diet, pain management, urinary and bowel health and function of the pelvic floor.
• Manual therapy techniques for muscles of the pelvic floor as well as muscles and joints surrounding the pelvis and lower extremities.
• Individualized exercise prescription to help regain awareness, strength, flexibility, coordination and balance of muscles of the core, pelvic floor and surrounding muscles and joints
• Each treatment is individualized to each patients concerns and needs.
  What to expect at my initial visit?

A detailed health history will be discussed as well as your diet, bowel and bladder habits in order to obtain a full understanding of you, your concerns and your needs. The physical examination may include the assessment of postural alignment, movement patterns and strength and mobility testing of joints and external muscle groups affecting the pelvis. In addition, and with full consent, an internal examination of the pelvic floor will be performed. This includes palpation of the pelvic floor, strength and mobility testing, assessing positioning of pelvic organs, assessing areas of pain, muscle tightness and any scarring. An internal assessment is a valuable way to gain knowledge and a full understanding of the sate of the pelvic floor and any issues that need to be addressed in order to create an optimal treatment plan.
If you have infants, you are welcome to bring them to clinic. We love babies! And if you feel more comfortable with a support person or partner, they are welcome to attend treatment sessions as well.
For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Elevate Physiotherapy and ask for Andrea Zelibka BScPT. 

More information about what to expect during a Pelvic Floor Examination

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