Pelvic health physical therapists are knowledgeable resources to help treat pelvic floor-related health conditions. If you’re experiencing bladder leakage, pelvic pain, have given birth or undergone surgery that impacted your pelvic floor, it is a good idea to set up an appointment with a licensed pelvic health physical therapist.

Pelvic health physical therapists can offer solutions safer than surgery, can reduce or eliminate pelvic pain and types of urinary incontinence, as well as recommend the right products to manage leaks, such as Poise® Ultra Thin Pads with Wings.

•Safer than Surgery:Unlike surgery, pelvic health physical therapy offers a lower risk option and is less invasive, since the treatment focuses on muscle strength, endurance, and coordination.

•Mitigate Pain:A pelvic health physical therapist improves pelvic pain symptoms that may be caused by a weakened pelvic floor or tight pelvic muscles. Further, pelvic health physical therapists can reduce pain during intercourse by increasing blood flow in the pelvis, releasing nerve tension and /or improving pelvic floor muscle strength or relaxation.

•Address Incontinence:I recommend that anyone with bladder leaks or other forms of incontinence try pelvic floor physical therapy before medication or a more serious alternative, like surgery.

Pelvic health physical therapists can help you maintain a well-functioning pelvic floor, build muscle, correct postural problems, and maintain a healthy weight. I use the “Four S’s” to describe the function of the pelvic floor.

Pelvic health physical therapists assess how well the pelvic floor muscle contracts and relaxes, plus how well it coordinates in isolation and with larger muscle groups. Wondering what to expect from pelvic floor physical therapy? We treat patients through pelvic floor biofeedback, muscle coordination training, breathing techniques, behavioral retraining and progressive loading exercises, a technique that gradually increases intensity over time.

One of the most common conditions we treat is bladder leaks. When I sit down with new patients, I typically ask what preceded their leaks, such as childbirth, increased activity or a change in general health.

I recommend different exercises for different types of incontinence and general health.

Postpartum care is another very common life stage for experiencing bladder leakage and other pelvic floor dysfunction. No matter whether you had a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, just being pregnant increases your risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. This includes bladder leakage, painful intercourse and prolapse which is when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments weaken causing the uterus to slip down into or protrude out of the vagina.

If you are leaking urine at three months postpartum, research says you will still be leaking at 5 years. A common belief is that bladder leaks will get better when you stop breastfeeding, but research and clinical practice do not support this. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a great way to address this issue head on.

Licensed pelvic health physical therapists are here to help you maintain wellness and have the confidence to live your best life with minimal pain or leaks. It’s important to start these conversations early and take action to ensure pelvic floor health.