Physical Therapy for Pelvic Floor Health & Orthopedics
Melissa L. Honeycutt, PT, DPT
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions of the Pelvic Floor:
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and connective tissues in the pelvis that help support the vagina, bladder, uterus, and organs. This girdle also helps with the stability of the Low Back and pelvic region. It helps with lubrication for a healthy vagina and for sexual reasons. The PF also helps as a sump pump for the lymphatic system. Both men and women have a pelvic floor.
What is a pelvic floor disorder?
A PF disorder is when the muscles, ligaments or connective tissues of the “hammock” become weakened or injured. The 3 main disorders that are related to the pelvic floor are: Urinary Incontinence, Fecal Incontinence, andPelvic Organ Prolapse.
Urinary Incontinence:
Stress Incontinence (leakage with laughing, coughing, sneezing)
Urge Incontinence (getting close to the door and NEED to urinate)
Mixed Incontinence (stress and urge)
Neurogenic Bladder (causes from cerebral palsy, post-stroke, Parkinson’s)
There are many reasons that are known and unknown for causing a disorder in the pelvic region.
Including, but not excluding:
Trauma from Childbirth
Number of births
Surgeries or radiation in the pelvic region
ie. hysterectomies, cesearean sections, cervical cancer
Overweight or obesity
Heavy lifting (repetitive and poor lifting techniques)
What is a pelvic floor dysfunction?
The difference between a PF disorder and dysfunction is that a dysfunction relates to the inability to control the PF muscles. This results in problems with coordination due to the poor connection between the brain and the pelvic floor. Your doctor may categorize the problem into 1 of the 3 dysfunctions: Bladder Dysfunction, Bowel Dysfunction orPelvic Pain.
Pelvic Pain:
Endometriosis
Vulvar pain
Vaginismus
Coccydynia
Vestibulodynia
Levator Ani Syndrome
Bladder Dysfunction:
Urinary incontinence
Urinary frequency/urgency
Overactive Bladder
Interstitial Cystitis
Bowel Dysfunction:
Fecal Incontinence
Constipation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What are symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder or dysfunction?
Urinary problems
urgency, frequency, leaking, straining to urinate
Bowel problems
constipation, leakage, straining, hemorroids
Pain or pressure in pelvis or rectum
Pain with sitting
Pain with intercourse for women
Heavy feeling in the vaginal opening or rectum
Low back pain, sacral pain, tailbone pain
Abdominal tightness or pain
Who can help diagnose, treat, and prevent pelvic floor disorders?
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
Urogynecologists
Urologists
Gastroenterologists
Obstetricians
Gynocologists
Naturopathic Doctors
Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Other practitioners that play a major role in helping with PF disorders: