Pelvic Floor Therapy Isn’t Just for After Birth
The term pelvic floor physiotherapy is often associated with postpartum recovery. While it is extremely beneficial after childbirth, it is not only for new mothers. In reality, people of all ages and life stages can experience pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor issues affect a large portion of the population. Studies suggest that up to 1 in 3 women experience pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives, yet many are unaware that physiotherapy can help. Pelvic floor therapy can support individuals experiencing bladder issues, pelvic pain, sexual discomfort, core instability, and more.
Understanding that pelvic floor therapy is useful far beyond postpartum recovery can help people seek treatment earlier and improve their quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. These muscles work together with the diaphragm, deep abdominal muscles, and back muscles to provide stability and control.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can develop for many reasons, including:
● Pregnancy and childbirth
● Chronic constipation or straining
● High-impact sports or heavy lifting
● Hormonal changes (like peri-menopause and menopause)
● Pelvic surgery
● Recurrent urinary tract infections
● Chronic coughing
● Prolonged sitting or poor posture
● Trauma or injury to the pelvic region
● Stress and muscle tension
Risk factors that may increase the likelihood of pelvic floor dysfunction include:
● Aging
● Connective tissue weakness
● Obesity
● High levels of physical stress on the body
● Chronic pelvic pain conditions
● Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
Importantly, pelvic floor problems can occur even in people who have never been pregnant.
Symptoms
Pelvic floor dysfunction can present in many different ways, and symptoms may vary from mild to more disruptive.
Common symptoms include:
Bladder symptoms
● Urinary leakage when coughing, sneezing, or exercising OR due to stress, feeling cold, and even hearing or seeing running water!
● Frequent urination
● Sudden strong urges to urinate
● Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
● Straining to empty the bladder
Bowel symptoms
● Constipation
● Straining during bowel movements
● Difficulty controlling gas or stool
Pelvic pain symptoms
● Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
● Pain with intercourse
● Pain with tampon insertion
● Pain in the tailbone, hips, or lower back
Core and stability symptoms
● Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
● Poor core stability
● Difficulty returning to exercise
Early symptoms may appear as mild bladder leakage or pelvic discomfort, while more advanced symptoms may include persistent pelvic pain, significant urinary leakage, or pelvic organ prolapse.
Diagnosis
Pelvic floor dysfunction is typically diagnosed through a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment.
During an assessment, a pelvic floor physiotherapist may evaluate:
● Posture and breathing patterns
● Core muscle coordination
● Hip and pelvic alignment
● Pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, coordination, and relaxation
● Movement patterns during functional tasks
In some cases, an internal pelvic floor assessment may be recommended to better understand muscle function. This assessment helps identify whether muscles are weak, overactive, poorly coordinated, or a combination of these factors.
Physiotherapy Approach
Pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on restoring proper muscle function, coordination, and support in the pelvic region.
Treatment plans are individualized and may include:
● Pelvic floor muscle training:
Targeted exercises to improve strength, endurance, and coordination of pelvic floor muscles.
● Relaxation and down-training:
For patients with overactive or tight pelvic floor muscles, techniques to help muscles relax and release tension.
● Breathing and core coordination:
Training how the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and pelvic floor work together to stabilize the body.
● Manual therapy:
Hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension and improve tissue mobility in the pelvic and surrounding areas.
● Bladder and bowel retraining:
Strategies to improve bladder habits and reduce urgency or frequency.
● Movement retraining:
Helping patients return safely to activities such as running, weightlifting, or daily tasks without placing excess stress on the pelvic floor.
Patient Education and Self-Management
Education is a key component of pelvic floor physiotherapy. Patients learn practical strategies to support pelvic health in daily life.
Helpful self-management strategies may include:
● Improving breathing mechanics:
Learning diaphragmatic breathing to reduce unnecessary pelvic floor tension.
● Optimizing bathroom habits:
Avoiding straining during bowel movements and adopting healthy bladder habits.
● Managing intra-abdominal pressure:
Learning how to engage the core properly during lifting, exercise, and daily activities.
● Gradual return to exercise:
Building strength and endurance progressively to protect pelvic floor function.
● Stress management:
Chronic stress can increase pelvic floor muscle tension, so relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
With proper guidance, many individuals notice significant improvement in symptoms and confidence in daily activities.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor therapy is often associated with postpartum recovery, but its benefits extend far beyond that stage of life. Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and symptoms such as bladder leakage, pelvic pain, and core instability are more common than many realize.
The good news is that pelvic floor physiotherapy offers effective, non-invasive treatment options that can significantly improve quality of life.
Early assessment and treatment can help address symptoms before they worsen and support long-term pelvic health.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as urinary leakage, pelvic discomfort, or difficulty returning to exercise, pelvic floor physiotherapy may help.
Contact us at Integrative Physiotherapy & Wellness in Barrie, Ontario to schedule a pelvic health assessment and learn how personalized treatment can support your recovery and long-term pelvic health.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Barrie
At Integrative Physiotherapy & Wellness, our physiotherapists provide individualized treatment for people experiencing persistent or complex pain conditions.
Your physiotherapy program may include:
Comprehensive physiotherapy assessment
Pain education and nervous system retraining
Movement-based rehabilitation
Gradual return-to-activity programs
Our goal is to help reduce pain, restore movement, and support long-term recovery.
Book a Physiotherapy Assessment in Barrie
If you are experiencing ongoing pain after an injury or surgery, an assessment can help determine the cause and guide your recovery.
Contact Integrative Physiotherapy & Wellness in Barrie to book a physiotherapy assessment today.
References
Bo, K., Frawley, H., Haylen, B., et al. (2017). An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) / International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on pelvic floor terminology. Neurourology and Urodynamics.
Dumoulin, C., Hay-Smith, J., & Mac Habée-Séguin, G. (2015). Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Haylen, B. T., et al. (2010). An International Urogynecological Association / International Continence Society joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. International Urogynecology Journal.
