What is the Pelvic Floor, and Why is It Important?

The pelvic floor is a complex structure comprising layers of muscle and connective tissue located at the base of the pelvis. Its primary functions include supporting pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum, controlling bladder and bowel movements, and facilitating sexual function. When these muscles weaken or tighten too much, conditions like urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction can occur.

How Does Strengthening the Pelvic Floor Help?

Pelvic floor strengthening is essential for both men and women and offers numerous benefits:

How Can Men Benefit from Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Many people believe pelvic health issues predominantly affect women, especially post-childbirth, but men can reap immense benefits from pelvic floor strengthening. By participating in physiotherapy, men can:

• Alleviate Prostate-Related Issues: Men who have had prostate surgery can often experience urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor exercises can help manage and alleviate these symptoms.
• Improve Sexual Function: Enhanced pelvic floor strength can lead to improved erectile function and orgasmic response.
• Manage Pelvic Pain: Conditions such as pelvic floor muscle tension and chronic prostatitis can lead to persistent pelvic pain in men. Regular pelvic floor physiotherapy can help alleviate these symptoms.

How Can Women Benefit from Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy plays a critical role in a woman’s health across different life stages:

• Post-Childbirth Recovery: Pregnancy and childbirth can strain and weaken pelvic floor muscles, leading to conditions like incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Physiotherapy can aid in recovery and restore pelvic muscle strength.
• Menopause Management: Hormonal changes during menopause can affect the strength and elasticity of pelvic floor muscles. Regular physiotherapy can help manage these changes and prevent related conditions.
• Improved Sexual Health: Strengthening the pelvic floor can enhance sexual sensation and orgasmic function, boosting sexual health and satisfaction.

How is the Pelvic Floor Strengthened?

In strengthening the pelvic floor, it’s important to realize that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach doesn’t apply. The plan must be tailored to the individual’s unique condition, age, sex, and overall health. However, the mainstay of pelvic floor strengthening lies in targeted exercises, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, physical therapy for pelvic pain sessions. Here’s a more detailed look:

• Pelvic Floor Exercises: These exercises, also known as Kegels, form the bedrock of any pelvic floor strengthening plan. They involve contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor, improving their strength and endurance over time.

It’s important to do these exercises correctly. A physiotherapist can guide you on the right way to perform Kegels, which involves tightening the muscles as if you’re trying to stop the flow of urine or holding in a gas, holding for a few seconds, and then releasing.

• Deep Abdominal Strengthening: The deep abdominal muscles work closely with the pelvic floor. Exercises that engage these muscles, such as the bridge or pelvic tilt, can indirectly strengthen the pelvic floor.
• Breathing Techniques: Diaphragmatic or deep belly breathing can aid pelvic floor relaxation and coordination. During these exercises, the focus is on ensuring the abdomen, not the chest, rises with each inhalation.
• Biofeedback: This technique, typically guided by a physiotherapist, uses sensors to provide visual or auditory feedback about muscle activity. It helps you understand if you’re correctly engaging your pelvic floor muscles during exercises.
• Electrical Stimulation: In some cases, physiotherapists might use devices that deliver a small electrical current to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles. This is often used when individuals find it challenging to perform the exercises correctly.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heavy lifting, and treating constipation can all contribute to a stronger
  
• Physical Therapy Sessions: Professional guidance from a physiotherapist, like those at Milestone Physiotherapy, can be invaluable. They can assess your condition, guide you through the exercises, and track your progress, ensuring the best possible outcome for your pelvic health.

Remember, strengthening the pelvic floor is not an overnight process. It takes consistency, patience, and time. If you feel pain or discomfort at any point, it’s essential to discuss it with your physiotherapist. They can modify your plan to suit your needs better, making sure you’re on the right track to a healthier pelvic floor.

Conclusion

A healthy pelvic floor is key to overall wellness. Whether you are experiencing pelvic pain, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or simply want to enhance your core stability, pelvic floor strengthening exercises can be highly beneficial. At Milestone Physiotherapy, our pelvic floor physiotherapy Edmonton is geared towards enhancing your quality of life and helping you achieve your wellness goals. 

Don’t let pelvic health issues hold you back – reach out to us and take your first step towards improved health today.