The Pelvic Floor

The “pelvic floor” refers to a group of muscles that attach to the front, back and sides of the pelvic bone and sacrum (the large fused bone at the bottom of your spine, just above the tailbone). Like a sling or hammock, these muscles support the organs in the pelvis, including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. They also wrap around your urethra, rectum, and vagina (in women).
Coordinated contracting and relaxing of these muscles controls bowel and bladder functions—the pelvic floor must relax to allow for urination, bowel movements and, in women, sexual intercourse. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience women’s health problems during their lifetime. This includes problems with their pelvic floor. Many tolerate these problems, often for years, either too embarrassed to seek help or unaware that there are treatments available.

 

Pelvic Floor weakness occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the organs (i.e. the pelvic floor) weaken. This can be caused by various issues including neuro-muscular skeletal disorders, chronic low back pain and certain gait (walking) dysfunctions, childbirth, aging, chronic cough, hormonal changes such as menopause, excessive straining due to constipation, constant lifting of heavy objects, obesity and pregnancy. There’s a lot of publicity given to incontinence in women during their lifespan but a large percentage of men suffer with urinary control issues too.

 

So how can Physiotherapy help women and men tone and strengthen muscles in the pelvic area?

 

The Physio will design a treatment program specifically for you, based on your functional ability levels, aims and goals. Progress is regularly reviewed and treatment programs are modified to help you achieve the best outcome possible.

 

• Regularly exercise the pelvic floor muscles, including exercises called “Pelvic Clocks” and “Kegels” to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic region. By carrying out a regular exercise program you can train your pelvic floor back to good health.
• Electrotherapeutic modalities such as ultrasound.
• Training in home exercise and therapy.
• Patient education.
  • Advice on relaxing the muscles before strengthening the pelvic floor area is important.
  • Maintaining good posture to keep pressure off your bladder and pelvic organs and using stretching or other techniques such as Pilates to avoid tightening and spasms in the other pelvic muscles.
  • Avoid pushing or straining when urinating.

 

There’s good evidence to show that strengthening your pelvic floor muscles and making some lifestyle changes can reduce or resolve symptoms of a pelvic floor weakness.