Women's physical therapy: What to expect from pelvic floor PT

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition that affects approximately 1 out of every 3 women. It involves weakened or injured pelvic tissue that causes pain or discomfort during a variety of activities. Fortunately, physical therapy is one type of treatment that can improve pelvic floor dysfunction for women. You can learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy for women with pelvic floor dysfunction below.

Who needs pelvic floor physical therapy?

You might be wondering to yourself, who needs pelvic floor physical therapy? A lot of people can benefit from pelvic floor PT. It’s useful for people of all ages, genders and physical conditions. However, pelvic floor physical therapy is most common in older women who fall into the following categories:

• Women who have pelvic organ prolapse.
• Women with urinary or fecal incontinence.
• Women who have pain during intercourse.
• Women who have weakened abdominal muscles after childbirth.
• People of any gender who have pelvic floor dysfunction.

What are the benefits women can experience from pelvic floor physical therapy treatment?

Women can expect a number of benefits from pelvic health physical therapy. These include:

• Stronger pelvic muscles — Building strength in the pelvic muscles can reduce some of the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence and lower back pain.
   
• Reduced pelvic pain — Pelvic health physical therapy specialists can determine the root cause of an individual’s pelvic problems and subsequently reduce pain and inflammation.
   
• Improved urinary and bowel control — Physical therapy can also improve urinary and bowel control for those who struggle to make it to the bathroom on time. It’s also helpful for those who go to the bathroom too frequently or for those who have pain during urination or bowel movements. 

What are some examples of women’s pelvic floor exercises you can expect to perform during physical therapy?

There are many kinds of exercises that your physical therapist may ask you to perform during your PT sessions. Each is designed to exercise muscles in the pelvis or adjacent to the pelvis and improve the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. A few examples of the exercises your physical therapist may ask you to do include:

• Squeeze and release — This exercise involves squeezing the muscles you use to go to the bathroom as if you were trying to hold it all in. For example, squeeze the muscles you’d use if you were trying to stop yourself from urinating. Hold that for a few seconds at a time before releasing. This exercise is meant to strengthen the muscles involved in urinary and fecal processes.
   
• Squats — Your physical therapist might guide you through a series of squat exercises. Squats can help build strength in the muscles around the pelvic area, including the buttocks, front and back of the thighs, groin, and hip flexors. Stronger muscles can reduce some of the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. 
   
• Glute bridges — The glute bridge is designed to strengthen the muscles in the buttocks, the hamstrings and the abdomen. To perform glute bridges, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Then, raise your hips to create a bridge and hold them in the air for a few seconds at a time before lowering them again.

Find effective and affordable women’s pelvic health physical therapy care from an Alliance PTP partner

Physical therapy can be an effective and affordable way to care for your pelvic health with a women’s pelvic health physical therapy specialist. You just need the right partner to provide it. 

Alliance Physical Therapy Partners has you covered. We can help you find a PT clinic near you that’s staffed with experienced and caring physical therapists. 

Would you rather meet with a physical therapist virtually? We’ve got you covered there, too. 

Reach out to us today so we can point you toward the right physical therapy specialist who can meet your unique needs.