Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
What is Pelvic Health Rehabilitation?
Pelvic health rehab is a non-surgical approach to rehabilitation of dysfunctions in the pelvis that contribute to bowel, bladder, sexual health, and pain complaints. Approaches to these types of conditions include behavioral exercise, eductions, and functional re-training.
Most Common Risk Factors:
- Having a baby, particularly if the baby is delivered vaginally.
- Obesity
- Having an injury, which may occur during hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or another surgical procedure.
- Aging
- Frequently doing things that increase pressure in the abdomen, such as straining during bowel movements or lifting heavy objects.
- Pelvic surgery or radiation treatments also can cause these disorders.
What to expect from Physical Therapy for Pelvic Health Rehabilitation:
- Complete medical history
- Perineum and total body examination
- Pelvic floor strength/coordination training or detraining
- Void training and bladder diary assignments
- Balance assessment
- Awareness and meditation
Pelvic Health Rehabilitation can help with some of these symptoms
- Pressure or pain in the area of the vagina or rectum
- A feeling that the uterus, bladder, or rectum is dropping out
- Constipation, straining or pain during bowel movements
- Pain during sexual intercourse
Most Common Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Urinary Incontinence (Urge, Stress, Overflow, Functional).
- Fecal Incontinence or lack of bowel control.
- Pelvic organ prolapse (a condition in which the uterus, bladder and bowel may “drop” onto the vagina and cause a bulge through the vaginal canal).
Let’s answer some of your questions before you make the time to come in!
We want to make sure you’re ready and your time is used appropriately.
What to expect from Initial Evaluation
- Discuss the patient’s functional limitations.
- Evaluate impairments including, but not limited to, pain, strength, ROM, and balance.
- Discuss the patients and the therapist’s goals for aquatic therapy.
- Discuss benefits of aquatic therapy
- Give patients instructions on getting to the pool, what to wear, etc.
- May also give the patient a few land-based exercises to do as a HEP, if the patient has a flexibility issue or a severe strength deficiency.
