Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common disorder found in both men and women. Some symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction are urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. The causes of this disease differ from person to person. Among women, the usual causes are childbirth, aging, and obesity. On the other hand, in men, pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused due to genetics, repetitive lifting of heavyweights and aging.
Patients suffering from this condition resort to treatments such as medication, surgery relaxation technique, and physiotherapy. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is usually done under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist and is known to be one of the most effective ways of treating this condition. Let’s discuss the physiotherapy techniques used for treating these patients in detail -
When it comes to pelvic floor physiotherapy, biofeedback is the most common form of treatment. The best part about this treatment is that it is non-painful, non-surgical, and it shows positive results for many patients. Depending on the physical therapist, there could be different approaches taken to perform biofeedback. One approach is using special sensors and video to monitor the pelvic floor muscles as the patient tries to relax or contract them. The therapist will then provide feedback and work with the patient to improve the muscle coordination.
The aim of this physiotherapy technique is to reduce the tension in the connective tissue. It involves the movement of one layer of skin over the other to release tension in the tissue. The resultant sensation is that of a sharp scratch. The tighter the connective tissue, the sharper is the sensation caused. But once the tension of the tissue is released, the blood flow to that area increases and gets rid of all the toxins from that region. As the treatment progresses, it will reduce tension in the tissue culminating in complete recovery of the condition.
Myofascial release is another excellent physiotherapy technique used to treat patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. This treatment requires the application of sustained pressure to reduce fascial restrictions to relieve pain, relax muscles, improve bladder control and prevent all the other symptoms of pelvic function disorder. Myofascial release is alternately used to treat patients suffering from a limited range of motion.
Other physiotherapy techniques used to treat pelvic floor dysfunction are electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and visceral manipulation.
To know more about physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction, reach out to us at Emerald Hills Physio and Sports Clinic.