Pelvic Health

How Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Therapy Works

Select locations within the Ivy Rehab Network can provide non-surgical approaches to rehabilitation of male and female pelvic health, including Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD).

What is PFD?

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a condition that renders a person unable to control their pelvic floor muscles. PFD affects many women, especially as a result of pregnancy, delivery, trauma such as a fall or car accident, surgery, obesity, or other pelvic health conditions including endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, or prolapse.

What are some of the symptoms of PFD?

Common symptoms of PFD include, but are not limited to, a feeling of pain or heaviness/pressure in the area of the lower abdomen or vagina, incontinence, leakage, or urgency. Symptoms tend to occur when upright, straining or coughing.

How can we help?

The Ivy Rehab Network has physical therapists that can provide a non-surgical approach to rehabilitation of dysfunctions in the pelvis that contribute to bowel, bladder, sexual health, and pain complaints.

Approaches may include:

• Behavioral strategies
• Manual therapies
• Modalities
• Therapeutic exercise
• Education
• Functional retraining

What are tips to support pelvic health?

• Strengthen your pelvic floor muscle. Kegel exercises can be incorporated into your daily routine to help.
• If your pelvic muscles are overly tight, consider practicing meditation or guided relaxation.
• Consume sufficient fiber and fluids as well as exercise regularly to help avoid constipation.
• Refrain from pushing too hard during bowel movement.
• Lower your intake of caffeine, alcohol, and other dehydrators to help avoid urinary incontinence or a urinary tract infection.

Scroll down to see which locations within the Ivy Rehab Network near you offer Pelvic Floor Dysfunction physical therapy.