What pelvic floor physical therapy treats
Pelvic pain, frequent bathroom trips and difficulty emptying your bladder can leave you searching for answers. Understanding pelvic floor physical therapy starts with learning how these muscles affect your daily life. At Urology Specialists of Austin, we help patients explore whether muscle weakness, tension or poor coordination may be contributing to their symptoms and how personalized treatment may help.
Symptoms and concerns therapy may help address
What pelvic floor physical therapy treats depends on each patient’s symptoms and examination findings. Physical therapists work with patients experiencing:
- Urinary urgency or a sudden need to urinate
- Urinary frequency or frequent bathroom trips
- Pelvic pain
- Tailbone or low back pain related to pelvic floor dysfunction
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation or difficulty having bowel movements
Therapy can also support patients before and after surgery, during pregnancy and throughout postpartum recovery. An evaluation helps identify how pelvic floor function may relate to your concerns.
Can your pelvic floor muscles be too tight?
Yes. While many people have heard about weak pelvic floor muscles, an overactive pelvic floor can also cause problems. These muscles need to fully contract and fully relax.
When muscles remain tense, emptying the bladder or having a bowel movement may become more difficult. Tension can also contribute to urinary urgency, frequent urination, pelvic pain and, in some patients, erectile dysfunction.
Your therapist will look for factors contributing to the tension and develop a treatment plan to address them.
Understanding pelvic floor physical therapy and your first visit
Your first appointment begins with a review of your medical history, symptoms and daily activities. Your therapist will assess movement, muscle strength and coordination to better understand how your pelvic floor functions.
An internal examination may be offered, but it is optional. If you are uncomfortable, your therapist can discuss external assessments and functional movements.
Following the evaluation, you will receive a personalized treatment plan and home exercise program. Office visits provide additional guidance and hands-on care when appropriate.
Find support for pelvic floor symptoms in Austin
Take the next step toward understanding your symptoms. Contact Urology Specialists of Austin to learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy and whether an evaluation may be right for you.