5 Things Everyone Should Know About Their Pelvic Floor and Pelvic Floor Therapy

It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I heard about the pelvic floor. I didn’t hear about it in grad school when I was getting my occupational therapy degree. I didn’t hear about it in sex ed or even in any of my anatomy and kinesiology classes throughout my education. If I did, it wasn’t memorable enough to stick. I’m a healthcare professional and didn’t know I had a pelvic floor until I was already a few years into my career. Makes me think… “How can I expect any of my clients to know to come to pelvic floor therapy if they don’t even know they have one?”

You might not know much about your pelvic floor, but it plays a vital role in our overall well-being. In this article, we’re going to uncover five fascinating thoughts about pelvic floor therapy. This isn’t just about anatomy–it’s about practical health knowledge that everyone should have, regardless of age or gender. So, let’s take a look at what pelvic floor therapy is all about and why it matters.

1) Not Just Physical!

Pelvic floor therapists look at more than just the physical body. A skilled pelvic floor therapist considers both the mind and body, whether they are a pelvic floor physical therapist or an occupational therapist. You see, our mind and body are so interconnected. If you feel stressed and your nervous system is up-regulated, tension will likely be found in some part of your body. A common pattern I see is people having tension in their neck and shoulders, maybe also some TMJ dysfunction. This tension often shows up in the pelvic floor as well. We don’t just assess and treat your physical body. We also assess your mental and emotional health, habits, routines, and roles during pelvic floor therapy.

2) Everyone Has a Pelvic Floor!

Pelvic floor therapists can treat women, men, and children depending on their post-professional training. Here at Imagine Pelvic Health, we treat people with female anatomy. However, we will be opening our books for pediatric clients by June, 2024! Pediatric pelvic floor therapists can assist families with children who experience constipation, hold their poop, have toileting fears, have bedwetting issues, and show signs of readiness but struggle to use the toilet. In the future, we hope to offer services to clients with male anatomy as well. While pelvic floor therapy is often associated with women’s health, it’s important to note that men can also benefit from it. Men may experience pelvic floor issues such as urinary incontinence after prostate surgery or chronic pelvic pain, and pelvic floor therapy can help address these concerns. 

3) It’s More Than Just Kegels!

While Kegel exercises are what many people think of when they think of pelvic floor therapy, the therapy itself is much more comprehensive. It involves a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, movement education, strength training, habit forming, and relaxation exercises, all tailored to the client’s specific needs. In fact, some people should not be doing Kegels at all. Have you gone to your physician with a pelvic health concern only to be told that you need to do more Kegels? After a thorough evaluation, we may suggest some pelvic floor strengthening exercises, but chances are we’re going to offer many other strategies first. Some of which may not even be exercises!

4) Not Everyone Needs a Home Exercise Program!

You might be saying to yourself, “What?! She’s not going to give me exercises for in-between sessions?” Answer? It depends! Some things I might ask you include:

• “Do you have a history of exercising?”

• “Do you enjoy exercising?”

• ”Do you have time to exercise?”

• ”Do you have somewhere you can do your exercises?”

• ”Do you have the mental energy to complete a home exercise program?”

If any of the above questions are answered “no”, then maybe a home exercise program isn’t for you! Does that mean that pelvic floor therapy isn’t for you? No! It means that a functional home program might be a better option.

According to Danika Viola, a pelvic floor occupational therapist in Philadelphia (who also happens to be my amazing mentor!), a functional home program is a program that incorporates functional movement into your daily routine through habit stacking and other strategies. It takes into account your personal habits, routines, roles, personality, and life situation. Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, “Ugh, I can barely remember to take a shower each day, let alone do pelvic floor therapy exercises.” That’s okay! We will find ways to incorporate healthy pattern changes and movements into your daily routine so that you’re helping your mind and body, without making you feel overwhelmed.

5) Preventive Potential!

Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for treating existing problems—it can also be used preventively. Everyone can benefit from preventive pelvic floor therapy, not just those who are pregnant or postpartum. Learning proper pelvic floor muscle engagement and relaxation techniques can help prevent future issues like urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Did you know that urinary incontinence is the leading reason for admission to skilled nursing facilities in the USA? Bladder and bowel incontinence also correlates with an increased risk of falls. At Imagine Pelvic Health, we value client education so that you can learn all about your anatomy, proper body mechanics, good bladder and bowel habits, and mental and emotional health strategies.

Embarking on this journey of understanding pelvic floor therapy might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. Whether you’re seeking relief from discomfort in your hips, back, pelvic floor, neck, or jaw, looking to enhance your overall well-being, or simply curious about this fascinating field of health, pelvic floor therapy could be the key to helping you shape your future for the better. 

What are you waiting for? At Imagine Pelvic Health, we meet you where you are. You don’t have to wait till “the right time.” We will dive deep into who you are and what makes sense for your life. Take the first step towards imagining a healthier and happier you- reach out to book a discovery call today.