Women’s Health Physio for the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of your pelvis that form a sling to support the internal pelvic organs. Pelvic floor muscles are located between the tailbone and the pubic bone. They play an important role in regulating continence. With age, and especially post-natally, pelvic floor muscles weaken and can cause issues with incontinence and sexual function, thus affecting the overall quality of life.
Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapy Woolgoolga is focused on the treatment of pelvic floor-related disorders like incontinence and prolapse by restoring muscle function to the pelvic floor.
Although we can’t see the pelvic floor, we can exercise it and strengthen it just as you would a muscle in your arm or leg. It is normal to feel some pain, weakness, and discomfort in your pelvic area after childbirth. Faster recovery depends on pelvic floor muscle activation.
Osteoporosis is a common risk factor for incontinence as women approach the later years and menopause. Physio for women’s health during menopause includes a set of exercises and treatments to increase bone density, improve insomnia, balance out hormone levels, and control weight gain.
Why does the Pelvic Floor weaken?
- Pregnancy places a lot of stress on your pelvic floor. It can become weak and stretched from as early as 12 weeks into your pregnancy. The growing weight of the baby puts pressure on the muscles. Keeping them fit before you give birth with women’s health physiotherapy can pre-empt post-natal pelvic floor issues.
- Constipation, which is common in pregnant women, puts even more stress on pelvic floor muscles. This may occur when the body produces inadequate levels of progesterone and certain medications prescribed during pregnancy. It may also be related to decreased colonic movement as the body focuses on foetal growth decreasing subconscious nervous activities in other organs.
- Vaginal delivery of your baby can stretch your pelvic floor muscles, which don’t automatically snap back into place afterwards. An episiotomy (surgical cut made to help get the baby out) can also weaken it. Nerve damage can also negatively impact the health of the pelvic floor.
- Being overweight. Excess weight doesn’t need to be pregnancy related. Carrying a lot of excess weight puts strain on the pelvic floor and causes urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunction.
- Persistent heavy lifting. Constant exercising with heavy weights and vigorous exercise with heavy jumping can overload the pelvic muscles and cause weakening.
- Menopause. Menopause can further weaken the pelvic floor muscles and even lead to a prolapse of your pelvic organs. All muscles in the body lose strength during menopause. Visceral pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, urethra, vagina, small bowel, and rectum) may drop out of place due to decreased control of muscular supports. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help with restoring the health and tonus of the pelvic floor area.
Women’s Health Physio Treatments
Pelvic floor rehabilitation may include:
- Assessment of your pelvic floor
- Specially designed strengthening program
- Isolation of pelvic floor muscles
- Release of muscle tension in your pelvic floor muscles
- Behavioural changes
Women’s health physiotherapy is not limited to pelvic floor strengthening. You can also seek treatment from a women’s health physiotherapist for mastitis, post cancer rehabilitation for the female body and specific female related conditions affecting the overall health and wellbeing of a female.
Learn more within our blog section or contact us here to schedule in a Women’s Health appointment
