Pelvic Floor Therapy

PFT: What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

A woman’s pelvic floor consists of a muscle layer that supports the bowels, bladder, and reproductive system. For pregnant women, those same muscles support the fetus and are involved during the birthing process. Physical therapy is used to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, ease pain, and restore mobility. The Woman’s Clinic is the only OB/GYN in the Jackson, Mississippi, area that currently offers Pelvic Floor Therapy.

About Pelvic Floor Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy begins with a consultation and assessment. Your Physical Therapist will ask about the issues you are experiencing and test your range of motion in the hip area, as needed. The PT then creates a plan of action to improve your pelvic floor health, and treatment begins.

You will perform exercises that stabilize and strengthen your core, back, diaphragm, and pelvic region. The specific movements you perform depend on your symptoms and physical ability while keeping in mind the goal of your physical therapy.

PFT is incredibly important for women of all age ranges who experience pain, dysfunction, or weakness in their pelvic floor. Expecting women also greatly benefit from PFT, as it can create a smoother birthing experience.

Call (601) 354-0869 to schedule an appointment
or ask about Pelvic Floor Therapy.

Issues That Pelvic Floor Therapy Treats

Watch for these symptoms to spot signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor therapy treats issues such as:

Pregnancy and postpartum conditions
- C-section recovery
- Vulvar varicosities
- Sciatica
- Feelings of organ bulging or heaviness
- Vaginal tearing during childbirth
- Etc.,
Pain during or after sex
Bowel incontinence
Bladder incontinence
Lower back pain
Sexual dysfunction
Pelvic pain
Period pain
Hip pain
And more.

While it’s hard to pinpoint one particular cause of the issues above without consulting a physician first, pelvic floor dysfunction may result from:

Pelvic muscle overuse during urination or bowel movements
Pregnancy and childbirth
High-impact exercising
Nerve damage
Muscle strain
Menopause
Natural aging
Obesity

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy for Postpartum Women

Postpartum pelvic pain, incontinence, or sexual discomfort after childbirth is common. Some women even experience pain for months after giving birth, whether it be pain in the tailbone, groin, vagina, or near a c-section scar.

All postpartum women can benefit from pelvic floor therapy. PFT is strongly recommended for most postpartum women who need help relaxing their pelvic muscles, strengthening weakened pelvic muscles, releasing painful trigger points, and improving posture.

Pelvic floor physical therapy offers relief from these common pregnancy-related issues and can fix certain conditions, such as diastasis recti, that can’t be solved with traditional exercises.