Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy can have many positive impacts on your body and lifestyle. It is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
This type of physiotherapy can benefit people of all ages and genders, including pregnant and postpartum women, people with chronic pelvic pain, and those experiencing bladder or bowel control issues.
Many people are not aware of the many ways that pelvic health physiotherapy can improve their lives. In this article, we will explore five surprising ways that this therapy can benefit individuals.
1. Alleviate Pain:
Pelvic health physiotherapy has been found to be an effective way to help reduce and manage some types of chronic pain. It is especially helpful in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, which can cause a variety of painful symptoms, including lower back pain, groin discomfort, and even urinary incontinence. With the help of pelvic floor exercises and other techniques, your physiotherapist can teach you how to safely and effectively strengthen your pelvic muscles and alleviate pain.
2. Improved Sexual Performance:
Pelvic health physio can also have positive effects on sexual performance. Dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can impact sexual function in both men and women, leading to issues such as erectile dysfunction, pain during intercourse, and decreased sexual satisfaction. The pelvic floor is the foundation for a healthy sex life as it helps support the internal organs and contains muscles that are responsible for orgasm. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help strengthen these muscles, which can lead to stronger, more intense orgasms and better overall sexual satisfaction.
3. Prevent Injury:
Injury prevention is another benefit of pelvic health physio. It helps you develop strong core muscles that support your spine and joints, reducing your risk of injury. Strengthening the muscles around the hips, thighs, and abdomen can also improve your balance and coordination, resulting in fewer falls and other accidents.
4. Better Posture:
Good posture is essential for optimal health because it helps reduce strain on your joints and aids in proper digestion. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help improve posture by increasing the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your muscles. This will help you stand taller and more confidently.
5. Improved Bladder and Bowel Control:
Issues with bladder and bowel control can be embarrassing and have a significant impact on quality of life. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help improve bladder and bowel control by addressing any issues with muscle function or tension. This can involve exercises to improve muscle strength and control, as well as education on lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and bladder retraining.
Which exercises are best for Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy:
There are numerous types of exercises for pelvic floor physiotherapy that will depend on the individual, their needs, and the condition being treated. Here are some:
Kegel Exercise:
Kegel exercises are an easy and effective way to strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor, a component of physical therapy known as pelvic floor physiotherapy. To do a kegel exercise, find yourself in a position that allows you to relax your body. Start by contracting the muscles around your genitals, hold the contraction for three to five seconds, and then release. Additionally, focus on engaging both rectal and vaginal muscles in order to benefit your entire pelvic floor. Most important is consistency – try to make Kegels a part of your daily routine in order to see long-term results!
Bridges:
Bridges are a great exercise to do in order to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Start by lying on your back with your feet planted firmly on the ground, and your arms should be at your side. Next, squeeze your glutes and abdominals together as you lift your hips off of the ground until it forms a straight line from knees to shoulders. Hold this position for three to five seconds before releasing and returning to the starting position.
Squats:
Doing squats is a great way to help with pelvic floor physiotherapy, improving your core strength and stabilization, as well as overall body posture. To do a basic squat, you’ll want to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly point them outward. You’ll then bend at your hips, sticking out your bum and keeping your back straight, lowering yourself until your thighs parallel the ground. It’s important to focus on form over speed and aim for between 4-6 repetitions of 10 squats per set for best results!
Pelvic Tilts:
Pelvic tilts are a great way to help improve posture and strength in the lower back, hips, and abdominals. To do this exercise, you’ll want to start by lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. You’ll then contract your abdominal muscles as you tilt your pelvis up towards the ceiling, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower your pelvis back down. Repeat this exercise several times during your pelvic floor physiotherapy session in order to work on strengthening your core muscles.
Side leg lifts:
Side leg lifts are a great way to improve hip stability and strength. To do this exercise, start by lying on your side with your bottom arm extended for support. Gently lift the top leg up as high as possible without letting your hips move out of alignment, pause at the top, then slowly lower it back down. Repeat this exercise for several repetitions per side, focusing on form over speed. This exercise can be done in conjunction with other exercises during your pelvic floor physiotherapy session in order to build strength and stability.
Conclusion:
Pelvic health physio can have a huge impact on your day-to-day life. From helping to alleviate pain to managing stress, there are plenty of ways that pelvic health physiotherapy can be beneficial for the body and the mind. Whether you’re looking to reduce discomfort or maintain good general well-being, pelvic health physio may be just what you need.
Here at Procure Physiotherapy and Pelvic Health Clinic, we understand the importance of pelvic floor health and offer comprehensive physiotherapy programs to help you achieve your goals. So if you’re interested in improving your quality of life, make sure to look into booking yourself in for some professional pelvic floor physiotherapy today!
