The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum in women. These muscles play an important role in maintaining continence, sexual function, and overall pelvic health. However, various factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, and aging can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, leading to conditions such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

One of the factors that can affect the pelvic floor muscles is the use of contraceptives. Contraceptives are medications or devices that prevent pregnancy by either inhibiting ovulation, blocking fertilization, or preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. While contraceptives are generally safe and effective, they can have various side effects, including those that affect the pelvic floor.

Hormonal contraceptives, such as the birth control pill, contain synthetic hormones that prevent ovulation by suppressing the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. These hormones are essential for the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, which eventually lead to ovulation. By inhibiting ovulation, hormonal contraceptives prevent fertilization and pregnancy.

However, the synthetic hormones in hormonal contraceptives can also affect the pelvic floor muscles. Studies have shown that hormonal contraceptives can cause changes in the vaginal tissue, such as thinning of the epithelial lining and decreased vaginal lubrication. These changes can affect the elasticity and strength of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to pelvic floor dysfunction.

For example, hormonal contraceptives have been linked to an increased risk of urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that women who used hormonal contraceptives were more likely to report urinary incontinence compared to those who did not use contraceptives. The study suggested that the hormonal changes caused by contraceptives may affect the urethral sphincter, a muscle that helps control the flow of urine from the bladder.

In addition to hormonal contraceptives, certain types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also affect the pelvic floor muscles. IUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. While IUDs are generally safe and effective, they can cause cramping and discomfort during insertion and removal.

Some women may also experience pelvic pain or discomfort with an IUD, which can be caused by the device pressing against the pelvic floor muscles or nerves. A case study published in the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy found that women who used IUDs had higher levels of pelvic pain and muscle tenderness compared to those who did not use IUDs. The study suggested that the pressure and irritation caused by the IUD may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.

However, it’s important to note that not all contraceptives have negative effects on the pelvic floor. Barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms, do not contain hormones and do not affect the pelvic floor muscles. In fact, using a barrier method during sex can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles by providing resistance and promoting blood flow to the area.

If you are experiencing unwanted side effects of contraceptives, Pelvic Floor Therapy can help! Pelvic Floor Therapy helps reduce pain in the pelvic floor muscles and nearby muscles. A Pelvic Floor therapist can help teach you how to appropriately relax and contract the muscles and how to coordinate these muscles with the deep core, hips, and low back. A Pelvic Floor Therapist should look at your entire body, including posture and gait, because distal joints play a role in how the pelvic floor is functioning. Pelvic Floor Therapy can help normalize any unwanted bladder and bowel symptoms including bladder leakage, overactive bladder, nocturia, Interstitial Cystitis, constipation, and fecal leakage.

Our clinic is conveniently located in Hoover, Alabama, near the Galleria. We have experienced clinicians with advanced training in the treatment of Pelvic Floor disorders. Contact us to schedule an appointment!

 

Champaneria R, D’Andrea RM, Latthe PM. Hormonal contraception and pelvic floor function: a systematic review. Int Urogynecol J. 2016 May;27(5):709-22. doi: 10.1007/s00192-015-2833-3. Epub 2015 Sep 25. PMID: 26407563.

Townswend MK, Curhan GC, Resnick NM, Grodstein F. Oral Contraceptive Use and Incident Urinary Incontinence in Premenopausal Women. Journal of Urology. 2009.01.040

Volpe ET. Intrauterine Devices, Pelvic Pain, and Physical Therapy: A Case Report. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, Volume 46, Number 4, October/December 2022, 183-189(7).

Nocturia, or the need to urinate frequently at night, can have a significant impact on quality of life. It can interrupt sleep and leave you feeling tired and sluggish during the day. Pelvic floor therapists can play a crucial role in helping to manage and reduce nocturia. In this blog post, we’ll explore some ways that a pelvic floor therapist can help decrease nocturia.

1. Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also known as Kegels, can help improve bladder control and reduce nocturia. It’s not just about kegels! These muscles need to be able to contract and relax just like any other muscle in the body. These muscles should be coordinated with your deep abdominal muscles, spinal muscles, hip muscles, and work of breathing. A pelvic floor therapist can work with you to develop an exercise program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. 
2. Bladder retraining: Bladder retraining involves gradually increasing the amount of time between urinations, which can help train the bladder to hold more urine and reduce the need to urinate at night. A pelvic floor therapist can help guide you through this process and provide support and encouragement along the way.
3. Behavioral modifications: Making certain behavioral modifications, such as reducing fluid intake before bedtime and avoiding bladder irritants, can help reduce nocturia. A pelvic floor therapist can provide guidance on making these modifications and help you develop a plan to implement them into your daily routine.
4. Manual therapy: Manual therapy techniques, such as visceral mobilization, joint manipulation, scar tissue mobilization, and trigger point release, can help reduce muscle tension and improve bladder function. A pelvic floor therapist can use these techniques to help alleviate symptoms of nocturia.
5. Education: A pelvic floor therapist can provide education on proper bladder habits and techniques to reduce the need to urinate at night. This may include information on proper fluid intake, voiding techniques, and how to recognize and manage bladder irritants.

Nocturia can be a challenging condition to manage, but a pelvic floor therapist can provide valuable support and guidance. By working with a pelvic floor therapist, you can learn techniques to improve bladder control and reduce the need to urinate at night, allowing you to get the restful, restorative sleep you need to feel your best.

There are several strategies that can be used to decrease nighttime urination (nocturia), including:

1. Reduce fluid intake before bedtime: Limiting fluid intake before going to bed can help reduce the amount of urine produced at night and decrease the need to urinate.
2. Avoid bladder irritants, especially in the afternoon and evening. They can irritate the bladder and increase urine production, so avoiding these substances before bedtime may help reduce nocturia. Bladder irritants include caffeine, seltzer water, alcohol, spicy foods, acidic foods, artificial sweetener, chocolate, and certain medications such as diuretics and antihistamines. 
3. Practice habits to improve your quality of sleep: magnesium supplementation, sleep in a cool, dark room, use a sound machine, get 10-15 minutes of morning sunlight to help your body produce melatonin naturally, and exercise daily.

There are several habits or behaviors that can make nocturia worse. Some of these include:

1. Consuming fluids before bedtime: Drinking a large amount of fluids before going to bed can increase the production of urine and cause the need to urinate more frequently at night.
2. Consuming caffeine, alcohol or spicy foods: These substances can irritate the bladder and increase urine production, leading to nocturia.
3. Taking diuretic medications: Diuretics are medications that increase urine production and can lead to nocturia.
4. Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to fluid retention in the body, leading to increased urine production and nocturia.
5. Smoking: Smoking has been linked to bladder irritation and can contribute to nocturia.
6. Poor sleep habits: Poor sleep habits, such as not getting enough sleep or having disrupted sleep, can disrupt the normal functioning of the body and contribute to nocturia.
7. Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure, can cause nocturia.

Nocturia, or the need to urinate frequently at night, can be related to stress for several reasons. Stress can have a direct impact on the body’s urinary system, leading to an increase in urinary frequency and urgency.

One way that stress can impact the urinary system is by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it can cause the bladder to contract, leading to the need to urinate more frequently. Stress can also increase the production of certain hormones, such as cortisol, which can lead to an increase in urine production and contribute to nocturia.

In addition to these physiological factors, stress can also impact sleep quality, which can contribute to nocturia. When we are under stress, it can be difficult to relax and fall asleep, and we may wake up frequently throughout the night. This can interrupt the normal sleep cycle and lead to an increase in nighttime urination.

Finally, stress can also contribute to other conditions that can cause nocturia, such as anxiety and overactive bladder syndrome. These conditions are often related to stress and can lead to an increase in urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.

Waking up at nighttime to urinate can actually be caused by habit.  When we regularly wake up to use the bathroom at a certain time each night, it can train the bladder to signal the need to urinate at that time, even if the bladder is not full. One way to diminish the routine urge at night is to try to ignore the urge to break the habit. Ways to help ignore urinary urges at night include deep breathing, counting backwards from 100, singing a song in your head, and simply telling yourself that your bladder is not actually full. 

Our clinic is conveniently located in Hoover, Alabama, near the Galleria. We have experienced clinicians with advanced training in the treatment of Pelvic Floor disorders. Contact us to schedule an appointment!

Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. The goal of pelvic floor therapy is to improve awareness and coordination of pelvic floor muscles and improve the function of these muscles and tissues, which can help to alleviate a variety of symptoms, including those related to urinary tract infections (UTIs).

UTIs are a common problem that affect millions of people each year. They occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply, causing inflammation and infection. Women are more prone to UTIs than men, in part because of the proximity of the urethra to the anus, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.

Pelvic floor therapy can be an effective way to prevent and treat UTIs, as it can help to improve bladder function, reduce inflammation, and improve coordination of muscles that support the pelvic organs. Also, tight pelvic floor muscles can often mimic the signs and symptoms associated with UTIs. If you find yourself having frequent UTI symptoms but negative urine tests, the Pelvic Floor muscles are to blame and Pelvic Floor Therapy can help. Here are some ways that pelvic floor therapy can help with UTIs:

1. Pelvic floor muscle coordination: Pelvic floor muscles are an important part of the urinary system, as they help to control the flow of urine and prevent leakage. Uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles can contribute to urinary incontinence and other bladder problems, which can increase the risk of UTIs. Pelvic floor therapy can help to lengthen and strengthen these muscles through a variety of exercises, not just Kegels, that can improve bladder control and reduce the risk of UTIs.
2. Improving bladder function: The bladder is an important part of the urinary system, and problems with bladder function can contribute to UTIs. Pelvic floor therapy can help to improve bladder function by teaching patients how to properly empty their bladder, reducing the risk of residual urine that can lead to infection. Additionally, pelvic floor therapy can help to reduce the frequency of urinary urgency and incontinence, which can further reduce the risk of UTIs.
3. Reducing inflammation: Inflammation is a common problem with UTIs, and it can cause pain and discomfort in the pelvic area. Pelvic floor therapy can help to reduce inflammation by improving blood flow to the area and reducing muscle tension. This can help to alleviate pain and discomfort associated with UTIs and reduce the risk of future infections. A Pelvic Floor Therapist can also discuss nutrition to assist in reducing overall inflammation to improve your bladder and pelvic health.
4. Addressing underlying conditions: Pelvic floor therapy can also be helpful in addressing underlying conditions that can contribute to UTIs, such as constipation or pelvic organ prolapse. By addressing these underlying conditions, patients can reduce their risk of developing UTIs and improve their overall pelvic health.

In addition to these benefits, pelvic floor therapy can also be helpful for those who have already experienced UTIs. For example, patients who have experienced recurrent UTIs may benefit from pelvic floor therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. By improving bladder function and lengthening & strengthening pelvic floor muscles, patients may be able to reduce the frequency of UTIs and improve their quality of life.

In summary, pelvic floor therapy can be a valuable tool for preventing and treating UTIs. By improving bladder function, reducing inflammation, and improving pelvic floor muscle coordination, patients may be able to reduce their risk of UTIs and improve their overall pelvic health. 

Our clinic is conveniently located in Hoover, Alabama, near the Galleria. We have experienced clinicians with advanced training in the treatment of Pelvic Floor disorders. Contact us to schedule an appointment!

Urinary incontinence is a condition where an individual experiences involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common problem among seniors, with a prevalence rate of up to 50% among older adults. Bladder leakage can significantly impact the quality of life, leading to embarrassment, social isolation, and decreased independence. Fortunately, having a Pelvic Floor Therapist can help teach you several strategies that can manage urinary incontinence and improve bladder control in seniors.

There are different types of urinary incontinence, and the treatment approach depends on the underlying cause. The most common types of urinary incontinence among seniors are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and mixed incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when pressure is exerted on the bladder, such as during coughing, sneezing, or physical activity. Urge incontinence, on the other hand, is characterized by a sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control. Mixed incontinence involves a combination of stress and urge incontinence.

One effective strategy for managing urinary incontinence among seniors is bladder training. Bladder training involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom breaks to help the bladder hold more urine. It can be an effective strategy for seniors who experience urge incontinence or mixed incontinence. Bladder training works by retraining the bladder to hold more urine and reducing the frequency of bathroom breaks. It can also help reduce the number of accidents and increase confidence and independence. Bladder training begins by keeping a bladder diary, which involves tracking when and how much urine is passed throughout the day. This helps seniors understand their patterns and identify times when accidents are more likely to occur. Using this information, a Pelvic Floor Therapist can develop a personalized bladder training plan that gradually increases the time between bathroom breaks.

For example, if a senior currently goes to the bathroom every hour, the plan may start by increasing the time between bathroom breaks by 15 minutes. Over time, the interval between bathroom breaks is gradually increased until the senior can comfortably hold urine for longer periods. It is important to note that this process may take several weeks or months to see significant improvement.

General strengthening exercises are another effective strategy for managing urinary incontinence among seniors. Think about it… if a senior cannot make it to the bathroom without ease, they are more likely to have urinary accidents. Improving strength and mobility will assist seniors being able to make it to the bathroom in time. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also known as Kegels, can help improve bladder control and reduce nocturia. However, It’s not just about kegels! The pelvic floor muscles need to be able to contract and relax just like any other muscle in the body. These muscles should be coordinated with your deep abdominal muscles, spinal muscles, hip muscles, and work of breathing. A pelvic floor therapist can work with you to develop an exercise program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Lifestyle changes can also help manage urinary incontinence among seniors. Seniors should limit their intake of bladder irritants which can irritate the bladder and increase the urge to go to the bathroom. Seniors need to maintain adequate overall hydration and try to drink 50% of their body weight in fluid ounces of mostly water per day. A good guide to hydration is to look at urine color; it should be clear to pale yellow and not dark yellow! Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding constipation can also help reduce bladder leakage. Engaging in regular exercise can also help improve bladder control and reduce the risk of urinary incontinence.

It is important for seniors to talk to their healthcare provider about their urinary incontinence and bladder leakage. A healthcare provider can help diagnose the problem and recommend a Pelvic floor Therapist. Seniors should not feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss their symptoms with their doctor, as urinary incontinence is a common medical issue that can be effectively managed.

Our clinic is conveniently located in Hoover, Alabama, near The Galleria. We have experienced clinicians with advanced training in the treatment of Pelvic Floor disorders. Contact us to schedule an appointment!

The pelvic floor is the base of a collective group of muscles referred to as your ‘core’. The pelvic floor muscles are located in your pelvis and stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone (at the front) to the coccyx or tail-bone (at the back) and from side to side.

The pelvic floor muscles work with your deep abdominal (stomach) muscles, deep back muscles, hip muscles, and diaphragm to stabilize and support your spine. They also help control the pressure inside your abdomen to minimize the downward force when you lift or strain, such as during exercise

Since the pelvic floor has a lot of responsibilities in the body, that brings some confusion and misconceptions. Let’s try to clear up some of these misconceptions!

Running DOES Affect the Pelvic Floor

The high-impact nature of running adds increased stress to the pelvic floor muscles. Ground reaction force is the force your body absorbs every time your foot hits the ground.

Gravity pulls down and ground reaction force is coming up, and they meet at the midpoint in the pelvic area. Pelvic floor muscles are absorbing a ton of impact, and when you have these forces combining at once, leakage can occur when there is pelvic floor dysfunction. There are other aspects of the body that can assist in decreasing this impact, such as midfoot mobility, diaphragm excursion, and posture. A highly trained pelvic floor therapist can evaluate potential causes of urinary leakage while running; it is likely NOT just that your pelvic floor muscles are weak!

This is why medical professionals, pelvic floor therapists included, recommend women who have recently given birth ease back into running and other high impact activities. A pelvic floor therapist can help these postpartum women recover from childbirth, build back core strength, and safely return to a high impact exercise routine without negative side effects such as urinary or fecal leakage, prolapse, or pain.

Squats DO NOT only strengthen leg and buttocks muscles

Squats can promote a stronger pelvic floor and core when performed correctly. Pelvic Floor therapists coach clients to perform squats with ribs stacked over a neutral pelvis. They coach proper breathwork and footwork to optimally engage the pelvic floor and deep core. Oftentimes women present with a “mom butt”, or a flattened rear, due to weaknesss and inhibition of the glutes following pregnancy; this can cause the pelvic floor muscles to work in overdrive. Increasing glute strength can help to decrease pressure and tension placed on the pelvic floor.

Men DO Have a Pelvic Floor

Men can experience symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction: urinary and fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, painful intercourse, core weakness and diastasis recti, pelvic pain, and erectile dysfunction.

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction often occur in men with prostate dysfunction. Those symptoms might be dribbling after urination, getting up more frequently at night to use the bathroom, and a slow stream of urination. Men may also struggle with erectile dysfunction or incontinence after a prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer.

Men who work in strenuous jobs or engage in heavy exercise may experience bladder and bowel dysfunction. Excessive straining can cause rectal prolapse in men, hernias, and abdominal muscle separation.

Pelvic floor therapists can treat men as well! Men do not have to live with these unwanted symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Everyone Should NOT Be Doing Kegel Exercises

The kegel exercise is an important tool in strengthening your pelvic floor, but only if it’s done correctly.

Quick squeezes of the pelvic-floor muscle can strengthen the fast-twitch muscle that prevents leaking while sneezing, coughing, laughing, and jumping. Longer endurance holds focus on recruiting slow-twitch muscle fibers that are required for prolonged activity as well as decreasing urinary frequency and urgency.

To properly do a kegel exercise that focuses on those slow-twitch muscles: Breathe normally as you tighten your pelvic floor muscles for 10 seconds, then relax them for 10 seconds. Perform three sets of 10 repetitions daily.

All muscles need to be able to contract and relax, even the pelvic floor. Most people we see in the clinic need to be relaxing their pelvic floor before they learn to contract it. If you are habitually doing kegels or strengthening your pelvic floor without lengthening or relaxing it, this can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary and fecal leakage, urinary urgency/ frequency, nocturia, pain, prolapse, sexual dysfunction).

Squeezing can make a tight pelvic floor problem worse. For these people, many of whom present with feelings of pain in the pelvic floor, kegel exercises are not an appropriate form of treatment. Pelvic floor therapy is about strength and tone, as well as being able to relax those muscles.

Urinary Leakage is NOT Normal

Pelvic floor therapists want everyone to understand that any amount of Bladder Leakage is common but NOT normal. Bladder leakage can be an embarrassing symptom and some people may not want to divulge this information to their medical provider. Bladder leakage will be easier to treat if it are addressed when symptoms are mild versus waiting till it gets worse.

Pregnancy, prostate disease, and aging may be risk factors for leaking, but leakage can be addressed through pelvic floor therapy. The key is acknowledging your problem and seeking treatment (ideally through conservative treatment in Pelvic Floor Therapy)!

Don’t be afraid to seek treatment if something is off or seems off with your pelvic floor muscles. You do not have to live with leakage, prolapse, or pain!

Interested in Pelvic Floor Therapy? We see men and women of all ages in the Birmingham, AL, region. Our clinic is located in Hoover, AL, near the Galleria. Contact us to schedule!

When we think of things that cause pelvic floor issues, we mostly think of pregnancy & childbirth. However, there is a good chance that during your day, there is something that you are currently doing that is hindering your pelvic floor muscles’ ability to work the way that they should. These long term bad habits can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction.
These poor habits may include: improper posture & alignment while using your phone, the amount of sitting and inactivity during your day, improper shoewear causing impaired posture, and tight or form fitting clothes. We would like to provide a little knowledge to help you change these habits so they do not create a bigger issue down the road. Improving your awareness and understanding of these mistakes can play a big role in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Poor Alignment During Phone Use

Think of the posture that most people use while texting or scrolling on their phone: their chin is down, shoulders are rounded forward, and the neck and mid back are slouched. This causes a posterior tilt of the pelvis, shortening of the anterior trunk muscles, and lengthening of the spinal muscles. This posturing does not allow the pelvic floor muscles to work properly, essentially turning them off. This slouched position puts direct pressure onto your tailbone and passively shortens the pelvic floor muscles. Prolonged shortening of these muscles can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Ideally in standing, your weight should be mostly in your heels, your knees soft or slightly bent, your ribcage stacked over your pelvis, and your ears in line with your shoulders. Elevate your phone so that you don’t have to slouch down to see the screen.

Sitting: ensure that you keep your weight OFF your tailbone and ON your sit bones or ischial tuberosities.Your ribcage should be stacked on top of your pelvis and ears in line with your shoulders.

Large Amounts of Sitting & Inactivity

Fixing your posture is a great start to decreasing risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. Our bodies are constantly adapting to demands we place on it. To be strong, healthy and functional, our pelvic floor muscles (and our entire body) require frequent movement in a variety of ways throughout the day to appropriately load and train the muscles. When possible, take standing or movement breaks throughout your day, especially if you have a job that requires prolonged sitting. Utilize a standing desk intermittently throughout the day. Try exercising before work, walking to work, or walking or exercising during your lunch break.

Wearing Improper Shoes

Good pelvic health and posture starts at the feet. Most of us know that high heeled shoes negatively impact our posture. You body compensates elsewhere for the abnormal degree of plantarflexion that high heeled shoes cause. Most often this compensation results in bending at the knees and a rear end that is tucked under. This posterior pelvic tilt puts the pelvic floor muscles and glutes at a disadvantage; they cannot respond to the loads being placed on them, even from just standing and walking, and this can lead to unwanted symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Swap out your higher heeled shoes for a lower heel, and gradually transition to a flat shoe with a wide toe box.

Wearing Tight Fitting Clothing

External pressure and compression from clothing, particularly around the abdomen and waist can have a big negative effect on the function of the pelvic floor muscles. In the same way that constantly clenching your stomach muscles can create pelvic floor dysfunction, so too will tight jeans, skirts, abdominal binders, belts, and corsets. This can create abnormal breathing patterns and pressure distribution in the core cannister, potentially leading to bladder and bowel problems, prolapse, and pain.

Choose to wear clothing that allows you to move and breathe easily!

Interested in Pelvic Floor Therapy? We see men and women in the Birmingham, AL, region. Our clinic is located in Hoover, AL, near the Galleria. Contact us to schedule!

By Erica Mitchell, PT, DPT

Have you received a diagnosis of prostatitis for your pelvic pain or urinary dysfunction and ruled out infection? You may be in the category of ‘chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome’ (CPPS) and could benefit from an evaluation by a pelvic floor physical therapist. We’ve covered that men have pelvic floors too (see previous blog post), but what does chronic prostatitis feel like and what can be done through physical therapy?

Below are the possible symptoms of chronic prostatitis: bladder urgency, frequency, hesitancy, weak or interrupted stream, pain with voiding, bowel frequency, pain with bowel movement, constipation, erectile dysfunction, pain with ejaculation, pain in testicles or penis.

Men with chronic prostatitis need to be able to relax and lengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Tension in these muscles can cause irritation in the nerves in the region. These tight muscles may have trigger points that are causing pain. All muscles need to be able to contract and relax. If pelvic floor muscles are not fully contracting and relaxing, it can be a contributing factor to symptoms of chronic prostatitis.

How can pelvic floor therapy help?

Pelvic floor physical therapists are specially trained in evaluation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions and musculature. An evaluation can identify specific limitations or causations of discomfort and be treated with breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, education on toileting and bladder habits, as well as manual interventions to decrease tension and pain. The Physical Therapist will not just be looking at the pelvic floor, but also spinal mobility, hip mobility, posture, gait, among other things. Your head and neck posture and even the mobility of your big toe can be affecting your pelvic floor function! Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists should be providing extensive education on your specific symptoms and dysfunction. We will show you ways to help relieve these symptoms and ultimately improve your quality of life.

At Magic City Physical Therapy, we are here to listen and validate that your chronic prostatitis and pelvic pain is valid. We work with men dealing with chronic pelvic pain on a day to day basis. Often, pelvic floor physical therapy is an integral part in helping you to start to feel like you can return to activity like you used to and live a more pain-free life. We don’t want people just living with these symptoms and think there’s nothing that can be done to help!

If you feel like you may be experiencing chronic prostatitis, give us a call to schedule a 5 minute discovery phone call to start your healing journey.