Pelvic Health: How A Physiotherapist Can Help

Pregnancy can create problems with the pelvic floor.

Kegels are not for everyone! There is a common misconception that women with pelvic floor issues all have weakness; frequently, these muscles are too tight to function properly. This can lead to incontinence, pain with intercourse and is often a significant factor in low back and pelvic pain.

Strength training is an important part of restoring functional strength.

A Physiotherapist with additional training in Pelvic Health can help you regain control of your bladder & bowel function, get rid of your pain, and return to all of your normal activities.

Pelvic health issues are often multifactorial so it is important to be properly assessed by a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

78% of women with chronic low back pain also have signs of urinary incontinence and adysfunctional pelvic floor.

– ELIASSON K. ET AL., URINARY INCONTINENCE IN WOMEN WITH LOW BACK PAIN. MANUAL THERAPY. 2008; 13(3):206-212

What do Pelvic Health Physiotherapists Treat?

Bowel & Bladder Issues:

• Constipation
• Overactive bladder
• Frequency and urgency
• Incontinence
• Chronic UTI’s

Mechanical Issues:

• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• SI joint dysfunction, pelvic girdle pain and symphysis pubis pain
• Low back issues
• Pregnancy and postpartum related issues

1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will be incontinent in their lifetime.

– AHCPR CLINICAL PRACTISE GUIDELINE, URINARY INCONTINENCE IN ADULTS: ACUTE AND CHRONIC MANAGEMENT NO. 2, 1996 UPDATED, PUBLICATION # 96-0682, US DEP’T OF HEALTH HAD HUMAN SERVICES, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND.

What to expect from your first appointment?

• A thorough medical history to help determine the cause of the problem
• An assessment of the lower back, pelvis and hip and core function
• An internal exam to assess the status and function of the pelvic floor muscles
• A customized treatment plan designed to help you meet your goals

3.3 Million Canadians experience incontinence - and it often can be cured!.

– THE CANADIAN CONTINENCE FOUNDATION

Advanced Pelvic Physiotherapy Centre- Toronto is one of the clinics in our preferred network that works exclusively with pelvic floor issues.