6 Signs You Need to See a Pelvic Floor Therapist
Pelvic floor therapy often gets overlooked when it comes to women’s health. There are times when providers treat a symptom, which is similar to putting a Band-Aid over a problem instead of addressing it. Therefore, it can be difficult for women to understand when it is time to see a pelvic floor therapist for help with their discomfort and pain.
A common misconception about the pelvic floor is that you only need to do Kegels to strengthen it. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Your pelvic floor is an intricate part of your body that provides support and stability. It’s time to treat your pelvis as an important part of your health.
6 Signs You Need Pelvic Floor Therapy
Below are common signs women experience that tell them they need to see a pelvic floor therapist. If you are experiencing any of these signs, reach out to schedule your assessment today.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is often ignored or incorrectly diagnosed. You might think you slept wrong, picked up something incorrectly, or twisted weirdly. In actuality, your lower back pain could be a sign that your pelvic floor needs attention.
Lower back pain is a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction. Your pelvic floor muscles support your lower back. Therefore, if these muscles aren’t functioning properly, it can lead to lower back pain. Some of these muscles tend to overcompensate when other muscles aren’t finding correctly, which causes the pain.
Pelvic Pain
There are different levels of pelvic pain that you can experience. Whether it is mild or severe, pelvic pain isn’t something to ignore. This pain can be felt anywhere in the pelvis, from the hips to your lower abdomen and even around the belly button, pelvic pain can be felt in those areas.
Pelvic pain can be caused by many different things. However, if you are experiencing pain in this part of your body, it’s a sign that you need to see a pelvic floor therapist. Living life with pain and discomfort is no way to live. That is why Pillar Physio – Georgetown, Texas offers pelvic floor therapy to support women in various stages of life.
Related: Understanding Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in Women
Incontinence
Incontinence is common among women who have experienced childbirth. The pressure of growing and birthing a baby puts strain on the muscles in the pelvic floor, which are also responsible for helping you hold your urine. When these muscles weaken, you can experience incontinence.
Pelvic floor therapy can help you gain control of your bladder and the pelvic muscles again. If you are experiencing incontinence, this is a sign that you need to see a pelvic floor therapist. You don’t have to live in fear that you will leak urine when you’re out in public. Take control now.
Painful Intimacy
In women, the muscles that surround your pelvic floor include the muscles that are responsible for supporting the vagina. When these muscles are weakened, this can lead to painful sex. This pain can feel like vaginal tightness.
It’s important to understand that Kegels will not help with painful intercourse. If the vagina is tight, Kegels could make this worse. Instead, engaging in pelvic floor therapy can help loosen and stretch those tight muscles. Because the pelvic floor is connected, the stretches to help with painful sex include hip and lower back stretches. Your pelvic floor therapist can walk you through these stretches to help you regain control of your sex life.
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti, also known as ab separation, is commonly experienced by women who have been pregnant. The growing fetus pushes against the ab muscles, causing them to separate as the baby gets bigger. After pregnancy, women are left with a weak core and a significant gap in their abs.
Pelvic floor therapy can assist with diastasis recti. Your therapist will use techniques to help bring your abs back together. In addition, you will learn about posture, breathing, and targeted exercises for your abs. All of this together increases your healing from ab separation, which also leads to better support and balance in your body as a whole.
Related: 7 Common Pelvic Floor Therapy Exercises and How to Do Them
Clicking Sounds in Your Hips
Some women, especially postpartum women, report hearing a “clicking” sound in their hips or pelvis area that indicates to them that something is wrong. This clicking can be due to the pelvis spreading during birth to let the baby’s head pass through. The pelvic bones may not close up properly after birth, which can cause this sound.
Seeing a pelvic floor therapist can help heal this part of your body appropriately. Instead of the “wait and see” approach that many postpartum women consider, it’s best to engage in pelvic floor therapy sooner rather than later to assist your body with healing. Although, it is never too late to engage in pelvic therapy.
Don’t Put Off Pelvic Floor Therapy Any Longer
If you read this post and nodded at some or all of these discomforts, this is your sign that you need to see a pelvic floor therapist. It’s time to start living a quality life that is free from pain and discomfort associated with your pelvic floor. Your family and your community need you.
At Pillar Physio – Georgetown, Texas, we have helped countless women get back to doing the things they enjoy. The Pillar way includes creating personalized treatment plans for every person who walks through our doors. There is no blanket approach when it comes to your health. In addition, we use a hands-on approach to treat the muscles so that you experience lasting relief.
It’s time to prioritize your health, including your pelvic floor. Contact Pillar Physio today to begin the road to healing. Your body will thank you for the time you spend on your health.
Related: What Happens to the Pelvic Floor During Childbirth?
