Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

All About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Pelvic Pain

Pelvic floor dysfunction is more common than many realize. It can lead to discomfort, pain, and other disruptions in daily life. This condition can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and it often shows up in different ways, including pelvic pain, urinary issues, or even tailbone discomfort. Let's dive into what pelvic floor dysfunction looks like, why it happens, and how it can be managed.

Symptoms to Watch For

Pelvic pain and dysfunction can take many forms. Some people experience no pain at all but still have symptoms, while others have discomfort that interferes with daily life. Common symptoms include:

• Women may have a sense of heaviness or pressure in the pelvic area or being able to feel a bulge at the vagina.

• Sharp or stabbing pain localized to specific spots in the pelvis.

• Pain in the tailbone or "sit bones" often aggravated by sitting.

• Discomfort during bowel movements or urination.

• Pain during or after sex, or even during or after orgasm, or sensitivity in the pelvic region or genitals.

• Frequent or urgent need to urinate, often with leaks (incontinence).

• Frequent waking at night to urinate

• Difficulty controlling bowel movements or urgency to go.

Male Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction isn’t just a women’s issue—it also affects men, though it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Men with pelvic floor dysfunction may face unique challenges, including prolonged periods of searching for answers. Many men see several providers, often undergoing extensive testing without receiving a clear diagnosis or effective treatment options. Symptoms in men can include:

• Pain in the perineum, rectum, or testicles: Often described as aching or throbbing.

• Difficulty with urination: Including hesitancy, weak stream, or frequent need to go.

• Urinary urgency or incontinence: A sudden need to urinate or leaking urine.

• Pain during or after ejaculation: Discomfort that impacts sexual health.

• Erectile dysfunction: The pelvic floor muscles play a critical role in getting and maintaining an erection, and dysfunction can interfere with this process.

• Post-prostatectomy: Commonly results in some degree of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Symptoms severity and prognosis depends on many factors. Adding cutting edge SoftWave technology immediately post-op can preserve function and improve outcomes.

By incorporating specialized pelvic floor physical therapy and complementary modalities, men can find relief from these symptoms and address the root causes of their dysfunction.

Root Causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t happen out of nowhere. Here are a few key contributors:

• Muscle Imbalances: Overactive or weak pelvic floor muscles can cause misalignment, tension, or lack of support.

• Injuries or Trauma: These can include childbirth, accidents, or surgery, which sometimes lead to scar tissue or chronic tension.

• Chronic Conditions: Issues like interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may play a role.

• Postural Problems: Poor posture over time can strain the pelvic muscles.

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Strain: These often leave the pelvic floor in a vulnerable state.

Complementary Treatments That Help

Treating pelvic floor dysfunction involves more than one-size-fits-all solutions. Alongside pelvic floor physical therapy, several additional modalities can enhance recovery and manage symptoms effectively:

• Cupping Therapy: This technique uses suction to improve blood flow and relax tense muscles.

• Dry Needling: Targeted treatment for trigger points in pelvic and abdominal muscles.

• SoftWave TRT: Non-invasive therapy using sound waves to stimulate healing and ease pain.

• MedWave Narrow Light Therapy: Focused light wavelengths to support tissue healing and reduce inflammation, especially beneficial for chronic, systemic conditions like endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Techniques

The cornerstone of treatment, pelvic floor therapy, uses a range of strategies:

• Muscle Relaxation: Therapists use both external and internal myofascial release to target overactive muscles and relieve tension.

• Strengthening Exercises: These focus on restoring balance and support for pelvic organs.

• Scar Mobilization: Helps loosen restrictive scar tissue from past surgeries or injuries.

• Visceral Mobilization: A gentle way to address mobility restrictions around organs like the bladder or intestines.

What Sets Our Holistic Pelvic Care Apart?

Holistic pelvic care isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about addressing the person as a whole. This approach considers:

• Emotional Well-being: Chronic pain often has an emotional component. Addressing stress and trauma can improve outcomes.

• Education and Awareness: Empowering patients to understand their bodies and symptoms fosters better recovery.

• Tailored Programs: No two patients are alike. Treatment plans are customized to fit each individual’s needs.

What Our Patients Are Saying

"If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Dr. Katie is wonderful; great table side manners, incredible skill, a depth and wealth of knowledge. I went to her after struggling to resolve some pelvic pain issues with other therapists and she was able to peel back the layers of my issues and get me healed. I absolutely 100% recommend her if you have any kind of pelvic pain...worth it!"

                                                                                              Shannon L

"Dr. Katie was successful in helping me resolve my urinary urgency symptoms through pelvic floor physical therapy. My PCP and urologist were unable to diagnose the urinary issues I was experiencing. I am very grateful to have found Dr. Katie and highly recommend her services."

                                                                                              Brendan H

Take the Next Step

Feel free to schedule a free discovery call or your evaluation to discuss how pelvic floor physical therapy can help get you back to feeling like yourself again.