Do you struggle with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction? If so, you might benefit from internal pelvic floor therapy. This specialized treatment targets and strengthens your pelvic floor muscles, alleviating many common health complaints and improving your quality of life. In this guide, we explore the ins and outs of internal pelvic floor therapy, highlighting its benefits and how it can help you in your healing journey.
What is Internal Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Internal pelvic floor therapy is a physical therapy technique used to address pelvic floor issues from within your body. This non-invasive treatment focuses on your pelvic floor muscles, which are crucial in maintaining urinary continence, sexual function, and overall pelvic health. These muscles support the bladder, uterus, and rectum, forming a "hammock" that cradles your pelvic organs and prevents them from descending.
Pelvic floor issues can arise for various reasons, such as childbirth, surgery, aging, or obesity. These issues manifest as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, constipation, and even sexual dysfunction. Internal pelvic floor therapy provides an individualized approach to treating these issues, targeting the root cause and promoting long-lasting relief.
How Does It Work?
During an internal pelvic floor therapy session, a trained pelvic floor therapist will perform an internal examination to assess your pelvic floor muscles' tone, strength, and function. This examination is typically done manually, meaning the therapist will use their fingers, rather than tools, to assess your muscles.
Once your therapist has a thorough understanding of your pelvic floor's specific needs, they will design a tailored treatment program that may include the following:
Manual therapy
Your therapist may use their hands to gently massage and manipulate the muscles inside your pelvic floor. This can help release muscle tension, reduce pain, and improve overall function.
pelvic floor exercises
Your therapist will teach you specific exercises to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, similar to kegel exercises. These exercises will focus on building both strength and endurance in the targeted muscles.
Relaxation techniques
Proper relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles is crucial for addressing pain and other issues. Your therapist will guide you through various relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or guided imagery, to help facilitate muscle relaxation.
Biofeedback
This technique provides real-time feedback about your pelvic floor muscles' activity, making it easier for you to understand and control them. Your therapist may use special sensors placed on the skin around your pelvic area to monitor your muscles as you perform exercises.
Functional retraining
If your pelvic floor issues interfere with your daily life, your therapist may work with you to retrain your muscles to perform necessary tasks correctly. This might include addressing incontinence when training, for instance.
Internal Pelvic Floor Therapy Example:
Let's consider the case of Sarah, a 40-year-old mother of two who has been dealing with urinary incontinence since giving birth to her second child. Sarah visits a pelvic floor therapist who performs an internal examination and determines that her pelvic floor muscles are weak and uncoordinated. Over several weeks, Sarah's therapist teaches her strengthening exercises, relaxation techniques, and provides biofeedback to help her better understand and control her muscles.
As Sarah becomes more consistent with her therapy program, she notices significant improvement in her symptoms. Not only is her urinary incontinence reduced, but she also experiences improved sexual function and greater overall comfort in her pelvic region.
Internal pelvic floor therapy offers a non-invasive, targeted solution for addressing common pelvic floor issues. By working closely with a trained therapist, you can work towards improved pelvic health, greater function, and a better quality of life. If you've been struggling with pelvic pain, incontinence, or sexual dysfunction, don't hesitate to explore this treatment option.
Remember to share this post with friends and loved ones who might benefit from internal pelvic floor therapy and explore our Pelvic Floor Therapy blog for more information on maintaining your pelvic health.
