Regain Comfort and Control with Pelvic Floor Therapy at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and can lead to a range of symptoms, including bladder leakage, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, and discomfort during bowel movements. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, pelvic floor therapy offers a safe and effective treatment option to address these concerns and improve your quality of life.
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
The pelvic floor comprises muscles, tissues, and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. When these muscles are weakened, overly tight, or uncoordinated, pelvic floor dysfunction can develop. Symptoms may include:
- Urinary Incontinence: Leakage during activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercise.
- Fecal Incontinence: Difficulty controlling bowel movements.
- Lower Back and Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Discomfort caused by pressure or misalignment affecting the pelvic area.
- Tailbone (Coccygeal) Pain: Pain in the tailbone area, often due to injury or tension in the pelvic muscles.
- Constipation and Bowel Dysfunction: Difficulty with bowel movements due to impaired pelvic muscle function.
- Chronic Pelvic Pain: Ongoing pelvic discomfort, often associated with conditions like postpartum recovery, menopause, endometriosis, or interstitial cystitis.
- Post-Surgical Recovery: Helps in regaining pelvic strength and function after surgery.
- Prenatal and Postpartum Conditions: Addresses pelvic changes during and after pregnancy.
- Sexual Dysfunction: Pain during intercourse or challenges in achieving orgasm.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy employs various techniques to treat pelvic floor dysfunction and promote better pelvic health. Certified physical therapists at Houston Physicians’ Hospital work with you to create a customized treatment plan. This may include:
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to relieve muscle tension, improve mobility, and reduce pain.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels): Exercises to relax and strengthen pelvic muscles.
- Biofeedback: Technology providing real-time feedback on muscle activity to enhance control over pelvic muscles.
- Posture & Breathing Exercises: Techniques to improve body mechanics and reduce stress on the pelvic floor.
- Electrical Stimulation: Stimulates weak or non-responsive muscles.
- Education and Lifestyle Modifications: Guidance on lifestyle adjustments and knowledge about pelvic health for long-term well-being.
These evidence-based techniques aim to address the root cause of your symptoms, providing lasting relief.
Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is suitable for individuals of any age or gender. Some groups who may benefit include:
- Women Post-Childbirth: Helps restore pelvic strength and balance after pregnancy and childbirth.
- Men Post-Prostate Surgery: Aids in regaining bladder control and relieving discomfort after surgery.
- People with Chronic Constipation: Therapy can retrain bowel habits and improve muscle coordination.
- Individuals with Pelvic Pain: Addresses pain from muscle tension, nerve irritation, or scar tissue.
- Athletes and High-Impact Activity Participants: Prevents injuries by supporting pelvic health under physical strain.
- People with Neurological Conditions: Conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s can affect pelvic function; therapy can help manage symptoms.
If you’re unsure whether pelvic floor therapy is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Houston Physicians’ Hospital for Physical Therapy?
At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, our experienced pelvic floor therapists are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that meets your unique needs.
- Certified, expert pelvic health therapists
- Private, comfortable treatment rooms
- Personalized treatment plans
- Advanced tools like biofeedback and ultrasound
- Collaborative care with OBGYNs, urologists, and other specialists
Pelvic Floor Therapy Locations
Our services are available at:
- Alvin
- Bellaire
- Clear Lake
- Friendswood
- Houston
- Humble
- League City
- Pasadena
- Pearland
- Texas City
- Webster
With 4-5 certified pelvic floor therapists, we’re here to support you on your journey to wellness.
- First Appointment Expectations: An evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, potentially including an internal exam, to develop your personalized treatment plan.
- Therapy Duration: Varies by the individual; some see improvement in a few sessions, while others may need longer.
- Home Exercises: Likely assigned to strengthen the pelvic floor between sessions.
- Postpartum Benefits: Therapy helps restore pelvic strength and relieve childbirth-related discomfort.
- Sexual Dysfunction Relief: Therapy can improve muscle function, reduce pain, and enhance sexual satisfaction.
- Session Attire: Loose, comfortable clothing; a gown or sheet is provided for privacy.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition, but effective treatment is available at Houston Physicians’ Hospital. Begin your path to relief by scrolling to the bottom of this page and finding the right doctors for you.
Then discover the right certified therapist at a Houston Physicians’ Hospital Physical Therapy location near you to support your journey to wellness.
Additional Information & FAQs
Your first appointment will typically involve a thorough evaluation of your pelvic floor function. Your therapist will inquire into your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. They may also perform an internal exam. Based on this evaluation, your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan for you.
The duration of pelvic floor therapy depends on the individual and their unique condition. Some people may see improvement in a few sessions, while others may require longer-term treatment. Your therapist will discuss your expected treatment timeline with you during your initial evaluation.
Yes, your therapist will likely prescribe specific exercises to be performed at home between sessions. These exercises are vital for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and maintaining progress.
Yes, pelvic floor therapy is highly beneficial for postpartum recovery. The pelvic floor muscles and tissues undergo significant stress during pregnancy and childbirth. These muscles can become weakened or stretched, resulting in issues like urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pain.
Pelvic floor therapy plays a critical role in helping women regain strength and control of their pelvic floor muscles. The therapists at Houston Physicians’ Hospital can guide women through targeted exercises and techniques to rehabilitate these muscles.
Additionally, pelvic floor therapy can address pain and discomfort associated with childbirth, e.g., perineal tears or episiotomy scars. Therapists can utilize manual techniques and modalities to promote healing, reduce scar tissue formation, and alleviate pain.
Yes, pelvic floor therapy can help address sexual dysfunction related to pelvic floor dysfunction. Tight or weak pelvic floor muscles can contribute to pain during intercourse, difficulty achieving orgasm, or erectile dysfunction. Pelvic floor therapy can help improve muscle function and reduce pain, resulting in a more satisfying sexual experience.
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is recommended. You may be asked to undress from the waist down, but you will be provided with a gown or sheet for privacy.
The timeline for improvement varies from person to person and also depends on the specific pelvic floor issue being addressed. However, many patients start to see positive changes within a few weeks of starting therapy.
