Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Urinary Incontinence

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized form of treatment that goes far beyond simple Kegel exercises. It’s a comprehensive approach to improving pelvic floor function and addressing urinary incontinence. At our practice, we highly recommend pelvic floor physical therapy as a cornerstone of conservative treatment for many patients.

More Than Just Kegels

While Kegel exercises are an important component of pelvic floor rehabilitation, they’re just one piece of a much larger puzzle. A skilled pelvic floor physical therapist addresses multiple aspects of your physical well-being:

Breathing Techniques: Proper breathing patterns can significantly impact pelvic floor function. Your therapist will teach you how to coordinate your breath with pelvic floor movements.
Posture Correction: Your posture affects the position and function of your pelvic organs. Improving posture can alleviate stress on the pelvic floor.
Mobility Work: Restrictions in your hips, lower back, or abdomen can affect pelvic floor function. Your therapist will work on improving overall mobility in these areas.
Core Strength: A strong core works in tandem with the pelvic floor. Your therapy will likely include exercises to improve core stability.
Relaxation Techniques: Sometimes, the pelvic floor muscles are too tense. Learning to relax these muscles can be just as important as strengthening them.

“Pelvic floor physical therapy is about whole-body wellness. We look at how everything from your breathing to your hip mobility affects your pelvic health.” - Dr. Ryan Stewart

What to Expect in a Session

Each pelvic floor physical therapy session is tailored to your specific needs and comfort level. Here’s what you might expect:

Initial Assessment: Your first visit will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your pelvic floor strength, coordination, and overall physical condition.
Customized Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan.
Education: You’ll learn about pelvic floor anatomy and how it relates to your symptoms.
Exercises: Your therapist will guide you through various exercises, both for in-session work and home practice.
Manual Therapy: This might include external techniques on your lower back, hips, or abdomen.
Biofeedback: Some sessions may use biofeedback devices to help you visualize your pelvic floor muscle activity.

Your Comfort is Priority

It’s crucial to understand that you are always in control during your physical therapy sessions. Here are some key points to remember:

Consent is Crucial: Any internal work, such as internal pelvic floor muscle assessment or treatment, will only be done with your explicit consent.
Communication is Key: Feel free to express any discomfort or concerns to your therapist at any time.
Flexibility in Treatment: If you’re not comfortable with certain aspects of treatment on any given day, your therapist can adjust the session accordingly.
External Options: Many beneficial techniques can be performed externally. You can still benefit greatly from physical therapy even if you prefer not to have internal work done.

“Your comfort and consent are our top priorities. We want you to feel empowered and in control throughout the entire course of your treatment.” - Dr. Ryan Stewart

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Patients often experience a wide range of benefits from pelvic floor physical therapy:

Improved bladder control
Reduced urinary urgency and frequency
Better pelvic organ support
Decreased pelvic pain
Improved sexual function
Enhanced overall quality of life

Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Right for You?

Pelvic floor physical therapy can be beneficial for many types of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and mixed incontinence. It’s often recommended as a first-line treatment or in conjunction with other therapies.

During your consultation with Dr. Stewart, we’ll discuss whether pelvic floor physical therapy is appropriate for your specific situation. We work closely with skilled pelvic floor physical therapists and can provide referrals to trusted professionals in our network.

Remember, healing takes time, and consistency is key. Most patients attend weekly or bi-weekly sessions for several weeks to months, with improvements often noticed within the first few weeks of dedicated practice.

Ready to explore how pelvic floor physical therapy can help you regain control and improve your quality of life? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Stewart to discuss your personalized treatment plan.