Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Pelvic health physiotherapy is a form of physiotherapy for your pelvic floor muscles. When needed, it can be very helpful for postpartum moms. Pregnancy and childbirth can damage the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue, causing all kinds of inconvenient and uncomfortable symptoms for women after they give birth.

The pelvic floor muscles are found between the pubic bone and the tailbone. They have five core functions:
 

• Support the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, bowel) from the force of gravity;

• Control urine and bowel movements from escaping (incontinence) by helping you contract and release your sphincter muscles;

• Create optimal sexual function like orgasm by maintaining muscle tone in your vagina and rectum and helping blood flow to the area;

• Stabilize the joints of your hips, pelvis and lower back; and​

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When the pelvic floor muscles are tense, shortened or weak, they can cause annoying symptoms or even pain. A pelvic health physiotherapist can evaluate these muscles and determine whether they're contributing to your symptoms.

If they are, the therapist can work on the muscles and connective tissue to release trigger points – a tense band found within a muscle. A therapist can also train you to do exercises at home that help relax tense muscles and strengthen muscles that are weak.

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Physiotherapy for pelvic health conditions may include a combination of approaches such as kegel and progressive strengthening exercises, stretching, manual therapy, bladder or bowel retraining, vaginal/pseudovaginal dilation, electrical muscle stimulation, biofeedback, behavioural techniques, and education

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