typical pelvic health physiotherapy session involve
Whether you have had your symptoms for years or they came on suddenly, the first Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen session will involve a thorough subjective and objective evaluation. During this process, your physical therapist will ask you detailed questions about your symptoms and evaluate how the muscles in your body move to help you with daily activities. They will also look at the lumbar spine, hips and pelvic muscles to see what might be contributing to your pelvic pain or dysfunction.
Your therapist will also assess the outer layer of your pelvic floor muscles, the vulva and labia. They may use a lubricant and insert one or two gloved fingers into the vaginal opening to check for any sensitivity and tenderness. They will also perform an internal exam, if warranted and consented to, which involves inserting a probe through your rectum or vagina into the perineum to check for muscle strength and movement.
If a pelvic floor muscle is too weak, the therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen it. They may use different techniques, such as pelvic muscle training (where the therapist uses external pressure or a vibrator to encourage the muscles to contract and relax), connective tissue release (which gently breaks up scar tissue that may be causing stiffness or desensitization) or electrical stimulation.
What does a typical pelvic health physiotherapy session involve?
A physiotherapist can also teach you to perform these exercises while lying down, sitting or standing. They will instruct you in breathing and timing so that the muscles contract or relax at the same time. In some cases, the therapist will use biofeedback to help you learn how to voluntarily control your pelvic floor muscles and to monitor their activity.
Once they have a clear picture of what is happening in your pelvic region, the physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan with short- and long-term goals. This will include a combination of manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes like hydration and nutrition. The therapist will monitor your progress during treatments and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can reduce and prevent pelvic pain, discomfort and dysfunction. It can also improve your quality of life by allowing you to carry out daily activities with greater ease and confidence. It is important to commit to your pelvic floor rehabilitation program and return for follow-up appointments so that the therapist can assess and modify your treatment plan as needed. Remember to always listen to your body and take the stretches and exercises that your therapist gives you seriously! This is the best way to speed up your recovery. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at our Physiotherapy East Sheen clinic. We are happy to help!
