Common misconceptions about Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
- Pelvic floor therapy is only for pregnant women.
- Pelvic floor therapy is beneficial for anyone that is experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction; women and men can benefit. Therapy can help with conditions like Endometriosis, Interstitial Cystitis, PCOS, low back or hip pain, pelvic or vulvar pain, sexual health, or bowel and bladder dysfunction.
- It is normal to leak urine after having a baby.
- Leaking urine is common, but not normal. Your pelvic floor muscles change in tone after having a baby resulting in poor muscle function and coordination deficits. Pelvic Floor therapy can help with posture correction, muscle strength, and coordination.
- It is normal to leak a small amount of urine when you laugh, cough, or sneeze as you get older.
- Leaking urine is more common as we age, but not normal. Urinary incontinence can be the result of hypertonic or hypotonic pelvic floor muscles and poor pressure management.
- Kegel exercises are the only solution for pelvic floor issues.
- Kegel’s are not always the answer, especially for someone who has an increase in tone and tightness to the pelvic floor and surrounding muscle tissue. It is important to take a full body approach and perform a combination of mobility and strengthening exercises. A pelvic floor physical therapist will determine if kegels are appropriate for you.
- It is normal to have pain during sexual intercourse.
- Having pain during sexual intercourse is not normal. Pain with intercourse can be the result of muscle tightness, poor blood flow to the vulva and pelvic floor as well as a heightened nervous system. Your pelvic floor physical therapist can educate you in pain management and help eliminate your pelvic pain.