2 Conditions You Didn’t Know a Pelvic Rehabilitation Specialist Could Treat
Leave a CommentPelvic Floor Rehabilitation is beneficial for all genders. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists treat patients with numerous conditions, such as Erectile Dysfunction, Pelvic Pain, Constipation, and Urinary Incontinence. To understand how a Pelvic Rehabilitation Specialist may help you, you must explore the purpose and function of the pelvis.
Understanding the Role of the Pelvis
The pelvis is comprised of multiple bones that form a bowl in the center of your body. The pelvic floor muscles sit at the bottom of the bowl and are always at work. They contract to make sure you do not lose stool or urine; they lengthen to allow bowel and bladder to pass, support your pelvic organs, and move lymph fluid and blood to the pelvic structures within.
Your leg muscles also attach to the pelvis or pass through the pelvis to attach to the femur. Pushing, pulling, and walking tasks require contraction of the abdominal and back muscles, which exerts energy throughout the pelvis. The abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles work together to prepare and control all movement. If these muscles were not actively engaged 24hrs a day, our trunks would move uncontrollably whenever we raised our arm or leg off the ground. We would also have spontaneous loses of bowel and bladder if these muscles were not actively turned on, ready to serve.
1. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
One common condition that could be treated with Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation is Erectile Dysfunction, known as ED. According to the Cleveland Clinic, ED is the “inability to achieve and sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.”1 It is also estimated that 1 in 10 males suffer from ED. Many people have heard of this condition and can usually recall commercials advertising the use of a pill to help with sexual performance. No one really talks about how some individuals dealing with ED may have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction causes increased tension and muscle tone throughout the hip muscles and pelvic floor, which could contribute to ED. Increased tension throughout the pelvic floor muscles can decrease blood flow, reducing nutrient-rich oxygen to muscles responsible for engorging penile tissue.
2. Stress Urinary Incontinence
Another common condition that is usually very responsive to Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation is Stress Urinary Incontinence. Stress Urinary Incontinence is when an individual experiences urinary leakage with activities that increase abdominal pressure. This could be experienced during laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercise. A Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Therapist assesses one’s core strength, pressure controls within the abdomen and pelvis, and pelvic floor muscle strength that all contribute to the condition. Stress incontinence is usually highly responsive to Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation within 10 to 12 visits, depending on the cause.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Therapists are trained to assess the pelvic muscles, the associated joints they are attached to, and the nerves and blood vessel function. They combine their knowledge of the surrounding structures attached to the pelvic bowl to treat the patient holistically. If you are curious if Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation is right for you, schedule a free assessment at your local Athletico. Free assessments are available both in-clinic and virtually through our telehealth platform.
*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.
The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
References
1. Cleveland Clinic. Erectile Dysfunction. 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction. Accessed 3, May 2022.
