Pelvic Floor: Posture PELVIC FLOOR: POSTURE is a very important area if you have issues with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, etc.  The muscles of the pelvic floor support the abdominal and pelvic viscera.  These muscles are active in standing and sitting. Furthermore, because the abdomen is a fluid-filled cavity, intra-abdominal pressure  is distributed in all directions.  The Pelvic Floor muscles, which form the floor of the abdominal cavity, contribute to its muscle control. As a result of this contribution to control of intra-abdominal pressure, the muscles of the pelvic floor are likely to contribute to control of the spine and pelvis. The slouched posture places a lot of pressure on our internal organs and pelvic floor. This can cause a worsening of: urinary incontinence, pelvic pain,  symptoms related to prolapse, and rectus diastasis. Pelvic Floor: Posture, sitting slumped Research has shown that when we sit in a slumped posture, our pelvic…

Vaginismus and Physiotherapy Vaginismus is a painful feeling of discomfort or inability when inserting a tampon, finger, penis or during a doctor’s internal pelvic exam. It occurs when there are involuntary contractions of the muscles in the outer third of the vagina. Primary Vaginismus: when a woman has never been able to have pain free intercourse due to pelvic floor muscle spasm. Secondary Vaginismus: pain that develops sometimes later in life after a traumatic event such as childbirth, surgery, or a medical condition. With Vaginismus, there is usually significant Connective Tissue Dysfunction that needs to be addressed first before any internal work. It is suggested that you follow up the self-help treatment for connective tissue dysfunction before embarking on the stretching exercises with the dilators. Pelvic floor exercises and Desensitisation techniques A physiotherapist may be able to teach you pelvic floor exercises, such as squeezing and releasing your pelvic floor…

Dyspareunia and Physiotherapy Dyspareunia is genital pain experienced by women just before, during or after sexual intercourse. Some women have always experienced pain with intercourse from their very first attempt. Other women begin to feel pain with intercourse or cyclically with menstruation. They can also have pain after an injury or infection . Sometimes the pain increases over time. When pain occurs, the woman may be distracted from feeling pleasure and excitement. Causes • vaginal dryness from menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, medications • skin disorders that cause ulcers, cracks, itching, or burning • infections, such as yeast or urinary tract infections • spontaneous tightening of the muscles of the vaginal wall • endometriosis • pelvic inflammatory disease • uterine fibroids • irritable bowel syndrome • radiation and chemotherapy Other factors that affect a woman’s ability to become aroused can also cause dyspareunia. These factors include: • stress, which can result in…

Prostatitis Prostatitis or Prostatodynia Physiotherapy Prostatodynia or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a pelvic pain condition in men. This means ‘inflammation of the prostate’. There are two basic types of prostatitis, acute and chronic. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis Acute Bacterial Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate. This type of Prostatitis causes chills and fever. In this case, you need your Doctor’s attention promptly! Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis The other is Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis. This can be treated with alternative treatments such as Pelvic physiotherapy, exercises, lifestyle modifications etc. Investigations in this case show that bacteria and yeast are negative. The physical examination does not usually show anything unusual. However, the prostate may be swollen. What can make the problem even more confusing is that often young, otherwise healthy men develop this condition. Antibiotics, pain-killers, and medications prescribed are often not effective. Many men have…

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy What is pelvic health physiotherapy? Pelvic floor muscles form the ‘bowl’ or ‘hammock’ that supports our lower back and pelvic organs (bladder, uterus/prostate and rectum). Pelvic health physiotherapists have taken courses allowing them to perform an internal evaluation in order to assess the tension and strength of these muscles. Often there is too much tone of the pelvic floor leading to weakness. What are common symptoms of pelvic health dysfunction? • Leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercise • Urgent need to urinate or leaking before you get to the washroom • Constipation/straining with bowel movements • Heavy feeling or bulge in the vagina • Pain in the pelvic or low back or genital area • Pain with intercourse Check out this link for more information. Some benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy • Leave your house without worrying about your bladder • Exercise without worrying…

Endometriosis Physiotherapy Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis Physiotherapy: fortunately there is something that you can do about this! Cause of Endometriosis The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial tissue is deposited in unusual locations by the retrograde flow of menstrual debris through the Fallopian tubes into the pelvic and abdominal cavities. The cause of this retrograde menstruation is not clearly understood. These lesions are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, the surface of the uterus, the bowel, and on the membrane lining of the pelvic cavity (i.e. the peritoneum). It is also likely the direct transfer of endometrial tissues at the time of surgery may be responsible for the endometriosis implants occasionally found in surgical scars (for example, episiotomy…

post-prostatectomy-incontinence Post-prostatectomy-incontinence is a common problem after radical prostatectomy. Patients report that this is the symptom which most disrupts their quality of life. Up to 75 percent of men experience a short period of mild incontinence. This is particularly after removal of the catheter that was placed during surgery. Most patients regain total urinary control after radical prostatectomy. However, this can take up to a year to achieve. Apparently, a small percentage (2% to 4%) experience permanent incontinence. Following radical prostatectomy, men who experience post-prostatectomy-incontinence may express concerns about visible wetness, urine odor, and the type of clothing that can be comfortably worn. Types of Urinary Incontinence The two types of post-protatectomy incontinence following prostate surgery are: • Stress incontinence – Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur during physical activity, like lifting a heavy object, or when you laugh or sneeze. These . activities put…

Female & Male pelvic pain There are various conditions which are treatable under male and female pelvic pain. Vulvodynia Pain that affects the entire vulva Symptoms • Burning • Stabbing • Stinging • Itching • Sensitive to touch and pressure • Functional limitation (Sex/ tampon/clothes) Vestibulodynia The vestibule is where the vulva (area of the skin on the outside) meets with the vagina. It is an extremely sensitive part of your body. Symptoms: Hypersensitivity on light touch, such as during intercourse and on insertion of tampons.Some women have pain but are able to tolerate penetrative sex. They may have soreness and tenderness. This may include soreness with tight clothes and even light touch to the area. Dyspareunia, Vaginismus, Dysmenorrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Endometriosis Vaginismus: Inability to penetrate due to spasm of the muscles Dyspareunia: Painful vaginal penetration in the absence of disease Dysmenorrhea: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Abdominal…

  Urinary tract infections Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Bacteria then begin to multiply in the bladder. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra. • Infection of the bladder (cystitis). • Infection of the urethra (urethritis) Symptoms • A strong, persistent urge to urinate • A burning sensation when urinating • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine • Urine that appears cloudy • Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine • Strong-smelling urine • Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone Check out this video for more information: http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/your-guide-urinary-tract-infections#1 Lifestyle changes: Urinary tract infections can be painful. You can take steps to ease your discomfort until antibiotics treat the infection. Follow these…

Pelvic organ Prolapse Pelvic organ prolapse is a very annoying problem. Pelvic organs, such as the uterus, cervix, bladder or bowel, may protrude into the vagina because of weakness in the tissues that normally support them. It is a disorder described as a protrusion at or near the vaginal opening. This may or may not cause perineal pressure. This condition is aggravated by standing and relieved by lying down. Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Vaginal child birth Advancing age Increased body weight Hysterectomy Chronic straining Abnormalities of connective tissue Connective tissue repair causes some women to have disruption, stretching, or dysfunction of the connective-tissue attachments of the vagina, or both. This can result in prolapse. Symptoms of Pelvic Organ prolapse: The symptoms can vary, depending on the type of prolapse. Generally, people have several complaints. These include bladder, bowel, and pelvic symptoms. Symptoms can include Urinary retention. They can also…