Conditions That Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy
The Kaizen Physical Therapy team can help address several conditions related to the pelvic floor, including the following:
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine due to impaired pelvic floor muscle function, altered bladder control, or poor coordination between the bladder and urethra. There are three main types that we treat at Kaizen Physical Therapy:
Stress Incontinence
Leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, or exercise due to reduced pelvic floor support.
Urge Incontinence
A sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by leakage, often linked to bladder overactivity.
Overflow Incontinence
Leakage caused by incomplete bladder emptying and excess bladder pressure.
Our team will create a care plan tailored to the type of incontinence you’re experiencing. Generally, treatment focuses on restoring strength, timing, endurance, and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles while improving bladder habits and pressure management. Techniques may include:
- Targeted pelvic floor strengthening
- Bladder retraining protocols
- Urge suppression strategies
- Pressure management training
- Core and hip stabilization exercises
- Behavioral and fluid intake education
- Functional retraining for daily activities
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the bladder, uterus, rectum, or vaginal walls descend due to reduced support from the pelvic floor muscles. This can result in several symptoms, including pelvic pressure, heaviness, urinary or bowel dysfunction, and discomfort with prolonged standing or activity.
Our team focuses on improving muscular support, coordination, and pressure management to reduce symptoms and improve daily function without unnecessary strain. A pelvic organ prolapse treatment plan might include:
- Targeted pelvic floor strengthening
- Endurance and coordination training
- Breathing and pressure management strategies
- Postural and body mechanics training
- Functional retraining for lifting and daily tasks
- Education on symptom management strategies
- Gradual return to exercise programming
Pubic Symphysis Pain
Pubic symphysis pain can develop when the joint at the front of the pelvis becomes irritated or unstable due to hormonal changes, ligament laxity, and altered biomechanics during pregnancy or postpartum recovery. Symptoms may include sharp or aching pain at the front of the pelvis, discomfort with walking, rolling in bed, climbing stairs, or standing on one leg.
Treatment focuses on improving pelvic stability, muscular support, and movement mechanics to reduce strain across the joint, using techniques such as:
- Targeted core and pelvic floor strengthening
- Gluteal and hip stabilization exercises
- Neuromuscular control training
- Movement modification for daily activities
- Gait and stair training
- Support belt education and fitting guidance
- Postpartum return-to-activity progress
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. It typically occurs during pregnancy but can also occur in people who undergo significant abdominal strain or prior abdominal surgery. This separation can compromise core stability, alter load transfer through the trunk and pelvis, and contribute to back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and abdominal doming or bulging with activity.
Pelvic floor physical therapy addresses diastasis recti through a targeted rehabilitation program focused on restoring coordinated activation of the deep core system. Treatment techniques may include:
- Breathing and intra-abdominal pressure training
- Activation drills targeted the affected muscles
- Pelvic floor coordination exercises
- Progressive core strengthening
- Postural correction
- Functional movement retraining
- Activity and exercise modification guidance
Chronic Pelvic Floor Pain
Chronic pelvic floor pain doesn’t just cause pain. It may present as persistent pelvic aching, burning, pressure, pain with sitting, discomfort during intercourse, or difficulty with bowel or bladder function. It’s typically caused by restriction or poor coordination of the pelvic floor muscles, often due to injury, childbirth, or prolonged stress on the pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor therapy focuses on reducing muscle tension, improving tissue mobility, and restoring normal neuromuscular control to decrease pain and improve function. Treatment may include:
- Manual therapy, including myofascial or trigger point release techniques
- Downtraining and relaxation exercises
- Breathing and nervous system regulation strategies
- Hip and pelvic mobility exercises
- Gradual return to functional activities