Women and men can both have pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) but women are more likely to have it. It is a common but often overlooked health problem. A group of muscles called the pelvic floor supports the organs in the pelvis. In women this includes the bladder, bowels, and uterus. In men, it supports the bladder and bowels. When these muscles are weak, tight or not working right in some other way it can cause a number of signs and problems. These problems are called pelvic floor dysfunction. Physiotherapy has become a very good way to treat PFD, helping many people feel better and giving them a better quality of life.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
When the muscles in the pelvic floor are too weak, too tight or out of balance this is called pelvic floor dysfunction. These muscles need to work with the diaphragm, core muscles and back muscles to support the body and keep bladder and bowel processes under control.
Pilvic Floor Dysfunction Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms can be different if the muscles are too weak or too tight. Some common signs are:
Incontinence
This means not being able to control urinating or going to the toilet. It can be stress incontinence (leaking when coughing or lifting) or urge incontinence (a quick, strong need to go to the toilet).
Pain in the Pelvis
If your pelvic floor doesn’t work right, you might feel pain in your lower back, groyne area, or genitals. This pain may be constant or only happen when you’re doing certain things, like sitting, having sex, or going to the toilet.
A lot of urination
One sign is having to go to the toilet more often than usual.
Not Fully Emptying
Not being able to completely empty your bladder or bowels.
Constipation
When you have trouble passing stool or only go to the toilet every few days.
Intercourse That Hurts
If a woman has pelvic floor problems, she may feel pain during or after sexual activity.
Why the pelvic floor doesn’t work right?
Problems with the pelvic floor can be caused by a number of things, such as:
Giving birth
The pelvic floor muscles can get twisted or hurt during childbirth which can make them not work right.
Surgery
The pelvic floor muscles can be affected by surgeries in the pelvic area like hysterectomies.
Getting older
Muscles can get weaker with age and the pelvic floor muscles are no exception.
Being overweight
Having too much weight can make the pelvic floor muscles hurt because they are under more stress.
Coughing All the Time
Long-term pressure on the pelvic floor can be caused by asthma or chronic coughing.
A Lot of Lifting
Lifting big things on a regular basis can put stress on the muscles in the pelvic floor.
Trauma
The pelvic floor muscles can be affected by injuries in the pelvic area.
What physiotherapy can do for you?
Physiotherapy is one of the best ways to treat problems with the pelvic floor. If you need help with your pelvic health, a physiotherapist can give you exercises and methods that will either strengthen or relax the muscles in your pelvic floor.
A physiotherapist ‘s Assessment
A full evaluation is the first step in physical treatment. The physiotherapist will talk to you about your symptoms and get a full medical background. Also they might give you a physical check to see how strong and flexible your pelvic floor muscles are. A therapist can get a better idea of how bad the muscles are by doing an internal check at this point.
Methods of Treatment
The trainer will make a personalised treatment plan based on the evaluation. Physiotherapists often use the following methods to help people with pelvic floor dysfunction:
Workouts for the pelvic floor
These are exercises for strengthening the muscles in the pelvic floor. They are also sometimes called “Kegel exercises.” The trainer will show you the right way to tighten and loosen these muscles. To avoid more stress, it’s important to do these routines the right way.
Biofeedback
This method uses monitors to give real-time information about how muscles are working. You learn more about your pelvic floor muscles and how to control them. Biofeedback is a great way to learn how to properly use and rest the muscles in your pelvic floor.
Manual Therapy
For this, you will rub and stretch the muscles in your pelvic floor with your hands. This may help ease stress and make muscles work better. Manual therapy can be very helpful for loose muscles because it can ease pain and make it easier to move around.
Stimulation with electricity
Electrical therapy may be used to help the pelvic floor muscles get stronger in some cases. For this, a small device is used to send a mild electrical current to the muscles, which helps them tighten.
Education and Lifestyle Advice
Physiotherapists teach their patients about healthy bladder and bowel function, the right way to lift things, and good balance. They may also give you tips on what to eat and drink to avoid constipation and help you deal with its symptoms.
Methods for Relaxation
For people whose pelvic floor muscles are too tight, deep breathing and gentle stretching movements can help them relax. These methods can help ease muscle tension.
The Importance of Core Strength
The muscles in your back and belly make up your core. These muscles work closely with the muscles in your pelvic floor. Getting stronger in the core can help the pelvic floor work better. As part of their treatment plans, physiotherapists often give patients exercises that improve their core.
The Significance of Consistent
It’s important to stick to the treatment plan and do the exercises daily for physiotherapy to work. To get stronger and better at using your muscles, you need to be consistent. He or she will tell you how often to do the workouts and how to make them harder over time.
Benefits in Real Life
Physiotherapy has been shown to help people with pelvic floor problems. Many people find that their symptoms and quality of life get a lot better. This is what it means in real life:
Better control of the bladder and bowels
Getting stronger in the pelvic floor muscles can help lower the risk of leakage and give you better control over your bladder and bowels.
Having less pain
Many people say that their pelvic pain gets better after they do exercise.
Better sexual health
For women, making the pelvic floor muscles work better can help them feel less pain and enjoy sexual activity more.
Better quality of life
Physiotherapy can help people deal with their symptoms in a way that makes their quality of life better by letting them do daily tasks without fear or pain.
When to Ask for Help
It’s important to get help if you think you might have pelvic floor problems. A lot of people are ashamed to talk about these problems, but they are common and can be fixed. You can get the help and treatment you need from a doctor who specialises in pelvic health.
Problems with the pelvic floor can have a big effect on a person’s quality of life but they can be fixed. Physiotherapy has many techniques and exercises that, based on the condition can help strengthen or loosen up the muscles in the pelvic floor. You can make a personalised treatment plan with a physiotherapist that helps with your problems and makes you feel better all around by working with them. Don’t be afraid to get help if you think you might have pelvic floor problems. Getting the right medicine can help you deal with your symptoms and make your life better.
