PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of various conditions that involve the pelvic floor or symptoms that manifest in this area. The pelvic floor includes muscles, ligaments, nerves, and connective tissue. It plays an important role in the body by providing support for the bladder, genitals, uterus, and anus.
The Cochrane Collaboration 2010 concluded that physiotherapists with specialized training in pelvic floor rehabilitation (using internal examination to teach the exercises) should be the first line of defense before surgical consultation for treatment of stress, urge, and mixed incontinence in women.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy at Max Health Fredericton
Our team of pelvic floor physiotherapists is offered at our Prospect Street clinic.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy helps to manage many conditions such as:
- Urinary incontinence (female incontinence and post-prostatectomy incontinence in males)
- Urgency/frequency/overactive bladder
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pain with sexual intercourse
- Constipation
- Difficulty with emptying the bladder or bowel
- Pressure or heaviness in the vagina or rectum
- Constipation (evacuation difficulties)
- Perineal pain (Dyspareunia, Vulvodynia, Vaginismus, Vestibulodynia, testicular pain, penile pain, persistent genital arousal disorder, Chronic pelvic pain)
- Urologically based pelvic pain (Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis)
- Gynecologically based pelvic pain (Endometriosis, Dysmenorrhea)
- Pre- and post-partum care (pregnancy-related pain, postpartum dyspareunia, incontinence, pre and postpartum fitness, education and prevention during the prenatal & postpartum period)
- Diastasis Rectus Abdominis
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pain in low back, girdle pain, abdomen, pelvis or lower extremity
- Sexual health concerns
- Difficulty with emptying the bladder or bowel
- Painful menstrual cycle
- Coccyx (tailbone) pain
Patient Pelvic Health Resources
Our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists have trained with Pelvic Health Solutions which offers evidence-based, patient-centered continuing education courses designed for physiotherapists.
Visit the For The Patient section of their website for comprehensive and current information regarding pelvic health.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help!
No matter your AGE or GENDER, you are still susceptible to developing pelvic floor issues. It is NEVER TOO LATE to seek treatment to help you live a healthy, comfortable, and pain free life.
76% of individuals think no treatment is available for their sexual pain and pelvic health problems.
Marwick (1999)
71% of the pregnant women with self-reported lumbo-pelvic pain told their health care professionals about their pain, and only 25% received any type of treatment for their condition.
Pierce (2012)
Among those who reported urinary incontinence at 3 months postpartum, 76.4% continued to report it 12 years later.
MacArthur et al. (2016)
PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY FAQ
What can I expect at my appointment?
Is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy recommended during pregnancy?
Seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist during pregnancy is recommended for 3 reasons:
1) Pain relief
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is very effective in alleviating pregnancy pain in a short period of time with lasting results. In one study of 430 women, 98% reported benefit from the treatment (Rost et al.) Physiotherapists with specialized training in prenatal care can alleviate your pain and help you return to exercise and a better quality of life throughout your pregnancy.
2) Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can develop during pregnancy. This is a sign of dysfunction in the pelvic floor and does not get better with time. Seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist for incontinence while pregnant can help you stop leaking and optimize the recovery of your pelvic floor postpartum.
3) Preparation for labour and delivery
Did you know that your pelvic floor plays a huge role in facilitating child birth? Many women are unaware of the state of their pelvic floor going into child birth. When the pelvic floor muscles are tight or over-recruited, this can restrict progression and cause prolonged labour, by times increasing the risk of requiring an emergency C-section. It can also lead to increased perineal tearing. When the pelvic floor muscles are weak, this often makes for a longer pushing phase, as the muscles do not have the strength when actively pushing. It is recommended that you have the state of your pelvic floor assessed during pregnancy so if there are issues, you can resolve them prior to going into labour. This will encourage a faster labour and delivery with fewer complications.
Your physiotherapist can also review non-medicinal pain management options and various labour and birthing positions with you.
Should I still see my Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist after I give birth?
In France, every single woman is referred to pelvic floor physiotherapy postpartum. Sadly in Canada, this is not yet the case, but it absolutely should be! Physiotherapists with a training focus in the pelvic floor are an essential and integral part to postpartum care and healing for the following reasons:
- Episiotomy and C-section scar care
- Urinary/fecal incontinence
- Painful sex
- Diastasis rectus abdominis repair
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Improving orgasms
- Core restoration
- Guidance for return to exercise
- Blocked milk ducts
- Pelvic floor functional assessment
- Tailbone pain
- Low back pain
Can I still attend my appointment if I am on my period?
Yes, you certainly can. Being on your period will not impact your exam or treatment in any way.
OUR TREATING PROFESSIONALS
Brookside Drive
Kristen De Rooy, Physiotherapist
Kristen De Rooy Physiotherapist Clinic – Brookside Drive Meet Kristen! Kristen began her post-secondary education at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL, graduating in 2013 with a BScHon in Kinesiology. She continued her education in Halifax, NS at Dalhousie University in 2014 and completed a Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy. She has been working…
Prospect Street
Lynn Sweeney, Physiotherapist
Lynn Sweeney Physiotherapist Clinic – Prospect Street Meet Lynn! Lynn Sweeney has an undergraduate degree from the University of New Brunswick, and a Masters degree in Physiotherapy from Western. She is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of New Brunswick and has 10 years experience as a physiotherapist. Lynn’s clinical focus is on pelvic…