Dynamic Health Therapy prides itself in being the only clinic in the Keswick/Georgina area offering the services of a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Many people may feel uncomfortable speaking about pelvic health and many people may not recognize what normal and abnormal pelvic health is. Women and men, as they age or go through life stages, are told that incontinence and pelvic dysfunction is normal. This false information may discourage people from seeking help regarding pelvic dysfunctions. Pelvic pain and incontinence are not normal and these issues can be rehabilitated with the use of pelvic floor therapy.
Pelvic dysfunctions, either pain or incontinence, can be caused by one of two things. The pelvis, more specifically the pelvic bone and sacrum, are surrounded by muscles known as the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles attach to the front, back and sides of our pelvis while also supporting the bladder, uterus, prostate and rectum. In women, these muscles also wrap around the urethra, rectum and vagina. These muscles play an integral part in pelvic health. They must be able to relax to allow for urination, bowel movements and sexual intercourse (for women) and they must be able to contract to maintain continence (avoid leaking throughout the day).
There are two types of muscle conditions that will cause pelvic pain or incontinence. First, pelvic muscles are weak this is known as Hypotonicity. This condition contributes to stress and urge incontinence along with pelvic organ prolapse. What we must remember is that incontinence or leaking is not apart of aging and can be prevented or fixed. Second, when pelvic muscles are tight this is known as Hypertonicity. This condition contributes to urgency with urination or bowel movements, urge incontinence, pelvic pain, vaginismus, etc.…
Many doctors will suggest a surgical consultation rather than pelvic physiotherapy. However, pelvic floor physiotherapy should be the first line of defense when it comes to pelvic pain or incontinence. Pelvic floor rehabilitation includes the use of an internal and external exam, connective tissue and fascial work along with trigger point release. Techniques are used according to the specific condition and treatment plan.