Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Expert Care for Pelvic Floor Conditions
Physical therapy may help to improve symptoms of common pelvic floor conditions, including fecal incontinence, bowel or bladder frequency issues, and pelvic organ prolapse.
At Lahey Clinic, our expert team of compassionate pelvic floor specialists are here to support you. We work with you to build a treatment plan tailored to your needs so you can return to normal activities and enjoy a better quality of life.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy
The pelvic floor is located between your tailbone and pubic bone. The muscles there form a supportive sling or “hammock,” holding your bladder and rectum in place while also supporting a woman's uterus and a man's prostate gland. As these muscles contract and relax, they help you control your urine flow, bowel movements and sexual functioning.
Your pelvic floor muscles can weaken or become tight over time. Pelvic floor therapy is designed to help the muscles in this part of your body work better. When you come to Lahey for pelvic floor care, our specially trained physical therapists (PTs) will evaluate your condition and recommend the treatment that makes most sense for your situation.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help
Our physical therapists (PTs) are musculoskeletal experts. We teach you how to use your pelvic floor muscles correctly. We also offer a variety of treatments to stretch and strengthen your muscles and help them function better. This combined approach can often help you effectively manage your symptoms. Both male and female pelvic therapy is available.
More About Pelvic Floor Therapy
Conditions that may be linked to problems with your pelvic floor muscles include:
- Constipation and fecal incontinence
- Overactive or painful bladder syndrome
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary incontinence
Many things can cause these problems, such as:
- Genetics
- Heavy lifting
- Obesity
- Radiation therapy to the pelvis
- Repeated straining (such as during a bowel movement or with a chronic cough)
- Surgery
Women may have other causes, including:
- Damage to the pelvic floor after pregnancy and childbirth
- Decreased estrogen levels during menopause
- Pregnancy-related changes in the body
- Straining during childbirth
We offer numerous treatment options for pelvic floor disorders. Depending on your condition, we may recommend more than one type of treatment.
Pelvic floor treatments at Lahey include:
- Abdominal and core strengthening
- Biofeedback
- Bladder training
- Body mechanics education
- Dietary modifications
- Electrical stimulation
- Heat and cold therapy
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Soft tissue mobilization
During your first visit, you and your physical therapist (PT) discuss your pelvic floor concerns. You will also review your health history and undergo an internal physical exam. The exam helps us assess your pelvic floor muscles and determine what’s causing your symptoms. As part of your visit, we will share with you information about your specific condition.
You and your PT create a personalized treatment plan. It typically includes therapies we offer in-house, but we also provide detailed explanations and demonstrations of at-home exercises. In some cases, your PT may suggest involving other specialists in your care. If so, they communicate with your medical team and help coordinate your follow-up care.
If you have any questions, we’re always available to help.
