Treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
The pelvic floor is made up of muscles and other tissues that form a sling from the pubic bone to the tailbone. They assist in maintaining upright posture, supporting abdominal and pelvic organs, and help to control bladder, bowel and sexual activity. When these muscles become overactive, or overused, the result can be pain and decreased function in any of the areas mentioned above. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) refers to a wide range of problems that occur when the muscles of the pelvic floor are not functioning normally and are often too tight, and weak. There is often related impairments of the sacroiliac joint, low back, coccyx and/or hip joint, that accompany this condition, and can contribute to pain and loss of function. Due to the complexity of the anatomy and multiple functions of the pelvic region, the underlying cause of pelvic pain is difficult to determine, and the entire body must be treated holistically to resolve symptoms.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on mobilizing techniques to diagnose and treat soft tissues. This is for the purpose of:
Modulating pain
Increasing range of motion
Reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation
Improving stability
Facilitating movement
Improving function
Inducing relaxation
Improving tissue repair
Improving tissue extensibility
External and Internal Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is a form of manual therapy where the therapist uses hands-on techniques on your muscles, ligaments, and fascia to address unwanted tension in the pelvic floor.
Therapeutic Exercises
First, your therapist will determine whether contracting or strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is appropriate for you. Contracting an already tight or shortened pelvic floor can be counterproductive in that it can cause pain or increase rather than relieve your symptoms. If you have a tight or shortened pelvic floor, you might work on relaxing or stretching rather than contracting. If strengthening is indicated, then the first step is to learn to produce a proper contraction of these muscles.. 65% of people that think that they know how to contract their PFM’s are doing it incorrectly.
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy/Dry Needling
Trigger point dry needling is the use of solid filament needles inserted into the muscle to release painful myofascial trigger points. Trigger points are composed of taut bands within the muscle, which cause and contribute to pain. The careful placement of these needles causes biochemical changes within the body, which help reduce pain. It is called “Dry” Needling because there is no solution injected as with a hypodermic needle during a flu shot–the needle itself and the effects it produces within the tissue is the treatment. Trigger point dry needling creates a local twitch reflex which is both diagnostic and therapeutic as it is the first step in breaking the pain cycle, decreasing muscle contraction, reducing chemical irritation, improving flexibility and decreasing pain.
Trigger point dry needling is not acupuncture. Though the method utilizes the same sterile, disposable filament needles found in acupuncture – this treatment was developed in accord with Western medical principles, thoroughly tested, and verified as an effective treatment.
Biofeedback Therapy
Biofeedback is a treatment in which patients learn to control bodily processes that are normally involuntary, such as muscle tension. It is a technique to make your mind aware of what’s going on inside your body to gain more control over your muscles.
Education
Patients will learn about their condition and related anatomy and physiology, postural modification and training, how their habits and hygiene may be affecting their symptoms, and will receive coaching through lifestyle modifications.
Haley utilizes a holistic approach toward pelvic floor therapy. Treatment plans are customized according the unique bodies, dysfunctions, and goals each individual patient.