A physical therapy treatment program will be individualized to meet your unique needs based on the results of your initial assessment and your level of comfort. There are multiple approaches that are beneficial in treating the pelvic floor.

Your therapy may include any of the following types of treatment:
Exercise and movement re-education:
Therapeutic exercise techniques are taught to increase pelvic floor strength, awareness, and coordination. Re-education of postural imbalance and strain is very important for efficient muscle function. Patients may also benefit from strengthening and flexibility exercise for areas that are closely interrelated with pelvic floor function, such as the abdomen, back and lower extremities.

Behavioral strategies for daily living:
Pain and muscle dysfunction of the pelvis can be affected on a daily basis by many of the habitual choices that we make. This may include what you eat or drink, your physical activities, your level of stress, and how you respond to your symptoms. Increasing awareness of behaviors and their results is an important step to regaining healthy function.

Manual Therapy:
A number of approaches to manual therapy may be used. The therapist may use her hands to mobilize the joints of the spine and pelvis, improving symmetry and comfortable motion. Myofascial release to the pelvic floor is done internally. It eliminates painful trigger points within the muscles and improves mobility and circulation in the tissues. Unrestricted, pain free movement is the goal of myofascial release. When comfort and resiliency are restored to the muscles, strength and coordination can begin to improve. Connective tissue mobilization is performed on the trunk and extremities where there may be surgical scars, trigger points, and soft tissue restrictions. This process has a cumulative effect over time and greatly relieves pain in surrounding tissues. It also can calm the oversensitivity of the nervous system that leads to urinary urgency and overactive bladder.

Biofeedback:
Biofeedback instrumentation measures muscle activity of the pelvic floor and is a tool for training awareness and neuromuscular control. Two forms of biofeedback are available. Pressure manometry uses a small air filled balloon to train the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor. EMG biofeedback measures electrical activity in the muscles and is especially effective for teaching relaxation. Both forms of biofeedback produce a visual signal on a computer screen that assists you in modifying your muscle control.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation:
Neuromuscular stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles generates a gentle contraction that is useful in the treatment of stress and urge incontinence, overactive bladder, muscle weakness, and urinary frequency. It can also be effective in the reduction of pain and excessive muscle tone.

Breathing and relaxation strategies:
Shallow and restricted breathing patterns are a hallmark of chronic stress and pain. Tension in the pelvic floor is directly related to breathing restriction and immobility of the diaphragm and rib cage. Relaxation strategies and practices to recover the mobility of the breath build the capacity to quiet the nervous system. The skill of self-quieting has benefits in reducing stress on all levels.