What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Men and women can experience a variety of issues related to problems in what's called the pelvic floor, the network of muscles and ligaments around the pelvis.

Fortunately, strengthening therapy can get these problems under control.

A urologist from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston explains how this works.

“Like physical therapy is helpful for a knee or shoulder injury, pelvic floor therapy works the muscles in the pelvic floor to rehabilitate those muscles from injury or destruction,” physician Rotimi Nettey, an assistant professor in the department of urology, said in a school news release.

The pelvis is bordered by the hip bone and pubic symphysis — the joint between your left and right pelvic bones. It supports internal organs, including the intestines, bladder and rectum. In women, it also supports the uterus and vagina; in men, the prostate. This network is important for urination, bowel movements, supporting sexual function and childbirth.

Urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse, pain with intercourse and sexual dysfunction are conditions that can be treated with pelvic floor therapy. For women, this can be helpful after childbirth or during pregnancy. Men may seek out therapy after prostate surgery, Nettey said.

Pregnancy is the most common cause of injury to the pelvic floor because the uterus can compress various muscles and nerve groups,

Sound therapy is also not advised for pregnant women, especially during the first 12 weeks, as “water is a great conductor of sound,” Scheg-Morissette said. “A baby is surrounded by water which would intensify the effects of the sound. It would also be contraindicated during pregnancy to attend a sound bath because, again, the sound would be amplified. It would be like taking a baby to a really loud concert.”

The same goes for infants, as their fontanels are still developing. She also advised that sound therapists should keep a minimum distance of 20 centimeters. from any implanted heart pacemaker, stent or shunt.

“Combining specific frequencies together plus intention creates healing,” Scheg-Morissette said. “Playing notes C and G together creates a perfect fifth. You want to have quality bowls. Sometimes the ones coming from China have a higher lead content in them and can create dissonance instead of resonance. Also, when you are playing them, your intentions play a big part in it. You want to put out positive thoughts and positive energy while practicing sound healing.” straining them as they are relied upon for more support. Vaginal delivery can bring trauma to the pelvic floor ligaments and muscles, causing lacerations or tears.

Pelvic floor therapists use a variety of techniques. These can include relaxation and "down" training exercises for those with an overactive bladder or a tense, high tone pelvic floor. Myofascial release - a type of gentle massage - can be helpful for patients with pelvic floor pain. Bio- feedback therapy is another option.

“Pelvic floor therapy helps empower patients because they can do it on their own once they see a therapist who can extend those lessons they learn in therapy,” Nettey said. “It's beneficial and harmless to patients and is pretty noninvasive compared to other therapies offered. Patients who are interested in learning more about pelvic floor therapy should consult their urologist or gynecologist.”