What Is Pelvic Health and Who Can Benefit From It?

Pelvic health is crucial to your overall well-being. You can’t leave it out and focus on other parts of your health. Your pelvic health focuses on the muscles, organs, and tissues in your pelvic area. These are important for bladder and bowel movement control, sexual health, and core stability.

If there is something wrong with your pelvic health, it will definitely affect your function and everyday life. 

Fortunately, physical therapists can help with your pelvic health. With pelvic therapy, your healthcare specialist can help you regain control of your pelvic muscles, reduce pelvic pain, and increase overall comfort. 

In this article, we’ll explain what pelvic health is, the common problems people face, who can benefit from treatment, and how pelvic therapy can help.

What Is Pelvic Health?

Pelvic health refers to the proper functioning of the pelvic area. This area is located at the bottom of your abdomen, and it includes your pelvic floor muscles, organs, bones, and joints.

The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, bowels, and uterus (in women). The organs in the pelvic region include the bladder, uterus, rectum, and prostate (in men). And the bones and joints in the region are the hip bones and tailbone that form the pelvis.

The pelvic floor muscles work together like a sling to hold everything in place. They also help with controlling when you go to the bathroom and making sexual activity more comfortable. These muscles also help to support your posture and balance.

Compromised pelvic health means the muscles or organs are not working properly, which can lead to various problems that can affect your quality of life. 

What Are The Common Issues Affecting Pelvic Health?

Pelvic health problems can happen to anyone, but they are more common in certain groups. Pregnancy and childbirth strain the pelvic floor muscles, making women more prone to pelvic health problems. Men who have undergone prostate surgery can also develop issues in this delicate region.

Some of the most common issues affecting pelvic health include:

Incontinence 

Fecal or urinary incontinence occurs when you leak stool or urine by accident. Some people may experience this when they cough, sneeze, or laugh. Sometimes, you may also feel the strong urge to use the bathroom, but unfortunately, you can’t get there in time.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse 

This condition occurs when one or more pelvic organs, such as the bladder or uterus, drop lower than usual. It can cause discomfort, which feels like heavy pressure or a bulge in the pelvic area.

Pelvic Pain 

You may have pelvic pain if you experience sharp, dull, or throbbing pain in your lower abdomen or pelvic area. Pelvic pain can arise from several causes, including injuries, muscle tension, or pelvic conditions like endometriosis.

Pain During Sexual Activity

Pain during intercourse can happen due to tight or weak pelvic floor muscles, hormonal changes, or medical conditions.

Post-Surgical Issues

Surgeries like a C-section, prostate removal, or pelvic repair can cause pain in the pelvic area and even limit mobility.

Pregnancy and Menopause

Pregnancy stretches the pelvic floor muscles, which can compromise your pelvic health. Menopause also comes with hormonal changes that can weaken the pelvic muscles. These conditions can both lead to pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence.

Who Can Benefit From Pelvic Therapy?

Pelvic therapy is for anyone experiencing problems related to their pelvic area. Women are the biggest beneficiaries of pelvic therapy. During pregnancy, you can work with a physical therapist to manage the extra pressure your growing baby puts on the pelvic floor.

After childbirth, your therapist can create a tailored treatment plan to help you recover from the muscle strain or tears. Also, during menopause, your therapist can help you manage the hormonal changes that may weaken the pelvic floor.

However, besides women, other people may benefit from pelvic therapy, including;

Men: Physical therapists can work with men recovering from prostate surgery to reduce the risk of incontinence and pelvic pain. They can also help create a treatment plan to relieve pelvic pain caused by tension or injuries to the muscles.

Children and Adolescents: A pelvic therapist can help children and adolescents address issues like bedwetting or difficulty controlling bowel movements. They can also help with posture correction and strengthening developing muscles.

Athletes: High-impact sports like running or weightlifting can put a strain on the pelvic floor, leading to weakness or injury. A therapist can work with athletes to address pelvic pain. They will also educate you on the best posture to exercise and play sports to prevent a recurrence of your injury.

Individuals Recovering from Surgery: People recovering from surgeries in the pelvic or abdominal area can use pelvic therapy to regain strength and mobility.

Chronic Conditions: Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, or neurological disorders can benefit from pelvic floor therapy to improve control and reduce discomfort.

How Does Pelvic Health Therapy Help?

Pelvic therapy can help improve how your pelvic muscles and organs work together. A trained physical therapist will create a personalized plan to address your specific needs. 

However, before creating the treatment plan, your therapist will first assess your pelvic floor function. They will check if your pelvic floor muscles are too weak, too tight, or not working in sync with other muscles.

Afterward, they will create a treatment plan that may include several physical therapy techniques, such as manual therapy, biofeedback, and exercises. They will also educate you about healthy habits, such as proper posture and lifting heavy objects safely.

Conclusion

Your pelvic health is crucial to your overall comfort and well-being. Pelvic issues can be frustrating and even embarrassing, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. Physical therapy offers effective treatments that can help you regain control, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms like incontinence, pelvic pain, or discomfort, it’s a good idea to reach out to a pelvic health therapist in Edmonds. Taking the first step can lead to a happier, healthier you.