Understanding Your Pelvic Floor
Pelvic floor problems aren’t always caused by weak muscles.
In some cases, the pelvic floor may have difficulty generating enough strength or endurance. In others, the muscles may be overly active or have difficulty relaxing. Some people have adequate strength but struggle with coordination—activating or relaxing the muscles at the appropriate time.
This is one reason simply performing Kegel exercises isn’t necessarily the right solution for everyone.
Pelvic health physiotherapy aims to determine how your pelvic floor is functioning so your treatment can address your individual needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all exercise program.
What to Expect From Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Your physiotherapist will begin by discussing your symptoms, health history, activities, and goals. Pelvic health concerns can be personal, and this conversation provides an opportunity to explain what you’re experiencing and ask questions about your care.
Your assessment will be tailored to your symptoms and may consider factors such as:
- Pelvic floor muscle function
- Breathing patterns
- Core muscle function
- Hip and pelvic mobility
- Strength and movement
- Activities that aggravate your symptoms
- Bladder or bowel habits when relevant
- The impact your symptoms have on everyday activities
Your physiotherapist will explain the assessment and treatment process and discuss appropriate options with you.
Pelvic Floor Strengthening Is More Than Kegels
Pelvic floor exercises are often associated with Kegels, but effective pelvic rehabilitation can involve much more.
For someone with pelvic floor weakness, treatment may include learning how to correctly activate the muscles and progressively improving their strength, endurance, and coordination.
However, strengthening isn’t appropriate for every pelvic floor problem. If the muscles are already excessively tense or difficult to relax, repeatedly contracting them may not address the underlying issue.
The goal of pelvic health physiotherapy is to determine what your body needs and select exercises accordingly.
Pelvic Health and the Rest of the Body
The pelvic floor doesn’t work in isolation. It functions alongside the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, hips, back, and other muscles involved in movement and stability.
For this reason, pelvic health rehabilitation may look beyond the area where you’re experiencing symptoms.
Depending on your assessment, your treatment program may incorporate breathing techniques, mobility exercises, strengthening, movement retraining, education, and a personalized home exercise program.
This whole-body approach is consistent with Advanced Physiotherapy’s focus on active rehabilitation and helping patients improve their overall physical function.
Returning to Exercise and Everyday Activities
Pelvic health symptoms can sometimes lead people to avoid activities they enjoy. Leakage, pressure, discomfort, or uncertainty about what is safe can make running, lifting weights, playing sports, or even completing everyday tasks more difficult.
An important goal of rehabilitation is helping you build the strength, coordination, and confidence needed for the activities that matter to you.
Your physiotherapist can progressively adjust your exercises according to your symptoms, abilities, and goals.
Individualized Pelvic Health Physiotherapy in Barrhaven
Advanced Physiotherapy has been serving Barrhaven and the surrounding Ottawa community for more than 25 years. Our approach to physiotherapy emphasizes individualized care, patient education, and active participation in rehabilitation.
Pelvic health concerns are common, but that doesn’t mean you simply have to live with them. An individualized assessment can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms and determine an appropriate path forward.
Contact Advanced Physiotherapy in Barrhaven to schedule a pelvic health physiotherapy assessment.
