Pelvic Floor Specialist

Pelvic Floor Specialist


Pelvic floor physiotherapists help women rehabilitate their
pelvic floor region. The muscle groups within the core and pelvic
region can be weakened by childbirth, surgery, genetics, heavy
lifting, rapid weight gain, constipation, menopause, improper
breathing mechanics, and more. These muscle groups aid in
supporting the uterus, bladder, and bowels. They form a slinglike
grouping from the pubic bone to the front of the tailbone at the
back. Damaged or weakened pelvic floors can affect bladder and
bowel control, leading to urinary and rectal incontinence or even
pelvic organ prolapse.


At times, the pelvic floor can become overactive or hypertonic.
This means that their pelvic floor muscles are overly tight and
tense all of the time, even when they should be relaxed. Learning
to relax and release the pelvic floor muscles (muscles
contractions like the short contraction of the bulging of a bicep
or long contraction, like the slow, contained stretching out of a
bicep) will help ease overactivity. An overactive pelvic floor
can cause many symptoms such as: back pain, pain during sex,
heaviness or incontinence.


What is a pelvic floor specialist?


Doctors who specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction issues are
called urogynecologists and physiotherapists. A urogynecologist
will care for women with pelvic floor disorders by providing
services that help evaluate pelvic floor health and provide
primarily surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse. Their
speciality covers the muscles, ligaments, connective tissues, and
nerves within the uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum.


A physiotherapist or Occupational therapist who specializes in
pelvic floor treatment helps treat pelvic floor issues
non-surgically. This is commonly done through exercise and manual
therapy as well as extended education and advice on how to
properly engage and strengthen your pelvic floor. Other
specialists who aid in pelvic floor therapy include movement
specialists and occupational therapists. Movement therapy can
play a significant part in retraining the body toward correct
posture, alignment, deep-tissue manipulation, and provide
educational instruction on how the body works and how it heals.


What is involved in pelvic floor physical therapy?


Pelvic floor therapy most commonly involves exercises and
education on how to properly engage and strengthen the pelvic
floor. A specialist like a physiotherapist will help instruct
their clients with a range of techniques ranging from:


Breathing mechanics

Therapeutic exercise & core building

Pelvic floor realignment

Proper posture

Symptom treatment

Physical education



Pelvic floor therapy seeks to instruct women in how their bodies
work while also treating any conditions causing pain or
embarrassing symptoms – like pelvic organ prolapse. When seeking
treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction or POP, there are a few
things you should keep in mind.