Pelvic floor physiotherapy is often overlooked in terms of overall wellness, especially among women. However, its importance cannot be overstated. A healthy pelvic floor supports many aspects of a woman’s life, from core stability and bladder control to sexual health and postural alignment. At Junction Point Physiotherapy Clinic in Grande Prairie, we believe that women of all ages should prioritize their pelvic floor health to prevent future complications and ensure optimal wellness at every stage of life.
What is Pelvic Floor, and Why Does it Matter?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis, extending from the pubic bone at the front to the tailbone at the back and spanning from one hip bone to the other. These muscles support vital organs like the bladder and intestines. They also help control urine and bowel movements, stabilize the pelvis, and promote sexual health.
Common Pelvic Floor Issues Women Face
Women can experience pelvic floor dysfunction at any stage of life, with common issues including
- pelvic organ prolapse occurs when weakened muscles in the pelvic floor cause organs like the bladder to drop
- chronic pelvic pain discomfort may stem from conditions like endometriosis,
- lower back pain caused due to core stability.
- urinary incontinence, often triggered by physical activities or laughter, is common during pregnancy and after childbirth.
- pelvic dysfunction can lead to sexual discomfort and lower back pain
How Physiotherapy Can Help Women Maintain Pelvic Floor Health
At Junction Point Physiotherapy Clinic, we understand pelvic floor dysfunction’s impact on a woman’s quality of life. Our physiotherapists in Grande Prairie are trained in techniques that target the pelvic floor muscles, helping to improve strength and function for better pelvic health. These techniques include:
Manual Therapy
When you’re experiencing chronic pelvic pain or tension, we use manual therapy to provide relief.
- We begin by assessing your pelvic floor muscles and related areas, such as your hips and lower back, to identify areas of tightness and restriction.
- Depending on what we find, we use techniques like myofascial release and gentle stretching of pelvic floor exercises to release muscle tension.
- We use gentle internal techniques (with gloves and lubrication) for the pelvic floor to relax and release tight pelvic floor muscles.
- We also focus on external areas like your hips and lower back to improve overall alignment and reduce tension.
Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel Exercises)
Through pelvic floor therapy, Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. We guide you through contracting and relaxing these muscles to improve their strength and endurance.
- First, we help you identify your pelvic floor muscles. Then, you can try to stop urinating midstream, contract the pelvic floor muscles, and then hold them for 5 seconds.
- After holding, we guide you to release and relax the muscles for another 5 seconds.
- We gradually increase the duration of the contraction as you get stronger, aiming for 10 repetitions.
Electrical Stimulation Therapy
Electrical stimulation therapy is an effective treatment for women of all ages, helping to strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles and alleviate excessive muscle tension.
- Small electrodes are carefully placed on the pelvic floor or surrounding areas, delivering mild electrical impulses to stimulate the muscles.
- For strengthening, electrical pulses induce controlled muscle contractions, which help improve muscle tone and function. This is especially important for postpartum recovery, age-related muscle weakness, or urinary incontinence.
- Lower-frequency impulses relax overactive pelvic floor muscles, reducing discomfort associated with pelvic pain, stress incontinence, or muscle tightness. This therapy is beneficial for women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction at any stage of life, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond.
Education and Lifestyle Modifications
Education and lifestyle changes are crucial to maintain pelvic floor health. Here’s how we guide you through it:
- We educate you about the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor so you fully understand how it affects bladder and bowel control, sexual health, and overall function through bladder control therapy.
- We advise properly about engaging and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles during everyday activities like lifting, sitting, and using the bathroom.
- We recommend lifestyle modifications, including:
- Maintaining proper posture to reduce pelvic strain
- Avoiding activities that increase abdominal pressure (e.g., constipation or straining during coughing)
- Developing healthy bladder and bowel habits, like not holding urine for too long
- We may suggest changes to your exercise routine to ensure that it supports your pelvic health and does not strain the area.
Taking care of your pelvic floor isn’t just about avoiding problems—it’s about improving movement, confidence, and quality of life at every stage.
The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Grande Prairie is essential for women’s health at every stage of life, not just during pregnancy. Strengthening these muscles during pregnancy helps prevent incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse and supports postpartum recovery through women’s physiotherapy.
After childbirth, physiotherapy aids in regaining pelvic floor control and managing postnatal discomfort. As women approach perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes can weaken the pelvic floor, leading to symptoms like urinary incontinence and pelvic pain, which physiotherapy can alleviate.
Our Approach at Junction Point Physiotherapy Clinic
Your pelvic health is an essential part of your overall wellness. From preventing incontinence to reducing pain and improving posture, caring for your pelvic floor can enhance your quality of life through pelvic floor physiotherapy in Grande Prairie. Junction Point Physiotherapy Clinic offers guidance to help you maintain a healthy pelvic floor, regardless of age.
Don’t wait for problems to arise—take action today to ensure a stronger, healthier you. Book an appointment with our skilled physiotherapists today. Whether you’re dealing with pelvic pain incontinence or simply want to learn more about pelvic health, we’re here to help.
