Short Answer – Because it is beneficial!
Let’s breakdown why it’s beneficial and how it helps to treat a variety of conditions.
First, what is pelvic health physiotherapy?
Pelvic health physiotherapy is a niche speciality of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists who perform pelvic health exams complete additional postgraduate evidence-based training to perform this rostered activity. It involves both internal and external assessments and treatments of the pelvis, including the pelvic floor muscles.
The pelvic floor is a bowl of muscles located between the hip bones and sacrum. These muscles must be able to contract and relax to maintain continence and prevent urinary and fecal leakage, support internal organs, stabilize our backs and pelvic girdle, bring blood flow back to the trunk, and increase satisfaction with sexual activity.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by underactivity of the pelvic floor muscles (weakness) or overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles (tightness)…and sometimes, a combination of both tightness and weakness. Pelvic health physiotherapists determine the root cause of the problem and create a treatment plan to address the dysfunctions – every treatment is tailored to your individual needs!
Second, what conditions can pelvic health physiotherapy treat?
Pelvic health physiotherapy treats a variety of conditions, such as:
- Pelvic Pain
- Pudendal Nerve Irritation
- Incontinence
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Pregnancy Pain
- Postpartum Care
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Post Prostatectomy Concerns
- Dyspurenia (Painful Penetration)
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
Bottom Line – pelvic health physiotherapy is the first line of defense against incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain!
Check out our next blog on what a pelvic health initial assessment involves.
