Pelvic floor issues are hard to talk about, though nearly a quarter of all women in the US have them. From urinary incontinence to bowel dysfunction and pelvic pain, these conditions are often embarrassing and feel taboo to bring up. But it doesn’t need to be that way. For patients living with these conditions, there is hope through physical therapy.
SSM Health physical therapist Katherine Hovanec notes that pelvic floor issues can happen to anyone, and her team treats patients of all ages and genders for pelvic floor issues. Some pelvic pain can be caused by pelvic floor tension related to a previous surgery. Medication, and conditions like endometriosis or constipation, can also cause pelvic pain.
What types of treatments are useful?
After an exam and evaluation by a physician, a physical therapist creates a personalized treatment plan that could include:
- therapeutic exercise
- manual therapy
- biofeedback training
“We also work on lifestyle and behavioral modifications that could be helpful to their condition,” says Hovanec. “These may include education on healthy bladder habits, constipation management, prolapse management, ergonomic suggestions and exercise program recommendations.”
According to Hovanec, most patients see some level of improvement in their symptoms following physical therapy treatment. Improvements can be significant enough to fully resolve symptoms or enough to avoid or delay a surgery.
“We make efforts to put patients in the driver seat as far as what we discuss, what they want to share, and how much or little of an exam they are comfortable with,” Hovanec says. “I also like to reassure patients that they are not alone and that these types of issues are extremely common.”
If you are experiencing pelvic floor issues, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider today.
