Conditions Treated by a Pelvic Floor PT
April 5, 2022
Most of us understand how medical doctors (MDs) tend to specialize in various subspecialities—neurology, nephrology, cardiology, oncology, and all other sorts of “-ologies” relating to specific areas or systems within the body. Specialization allows health care providers to improve their quality of care and serve as leaders in their field.
What you might not realize is that physical therapists (PTs) can specialize in certain areas, too!
At ITR Physical Therapy, with two convenient locations in Bethesda, MD and McLean, VA, our staff features board-certified specialists in women’s health, orthopedics, lymphedema, and more. People trust us as partners in their care because we’ve invested so much of our time and energy into advancing our clinical skills and expertise—helping us help you achieve optimal results in less time!
One of the main reasons women and men come to see us is pelvic floor dysfunction, which actually can manifest as a number of different conditions. Keep reading to find out what these conditions are and what signs you might notice before seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist in McLean or Bethesda.
Conditions Treated by a Pelvic Floor PT
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your pelvic organs, helps you maintain your continence, aids in sexual appreciation, and helps you maintain a stable core. A pelvic floor PT can evaluate and treat many conditions related to these muscles, including:
- Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
- Proctalgia Fugax and Levator Ani Syndrome
- Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
- Bladder and colorectal dysfunctions
- Endometriosis
- Chronic prostatitis
- Post-prostatectomy pain and dysfunction
- Pregnancy pain and dysfunction
- Most Postpartum Related Issues
**All of the above can likely link to different pages on our website too**
Pelvic floor conditions can affect people very differently, which is why treatment with a PT should be personalized to each individual patient. The specific treatments and techniques you might benefit from, including manual therapy, home exercises, and yoga, should be carefully curated, implemented, and progressed by your pelvic floor PT.
Signs That You Could Benefit from a Pelvic Health PT
Dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles can feel or look like:
- Pain and stiffness in the lower back, pelvis, groin, hip, or thigh
- Painful sex
- Chronic constipation
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- A feeling of bulging or pressure in the pelvis, rectum, or vagina
- Bulging or doming in the abdomen
By the way: you don’t have to wait until something feels “wrong” before seeing a pelvic health PT. Our team offers proactive and preventive care for people who are at increased risk of pelvic floor dysfunction, which includes:
- People who are or have been pregnant
- People with a history of trauma, radiation, or surgery in and around the abdomen or pelvis (e.g., hernia repair)
- People with a family history of pelvic floor disorders
- People with enlarged prostates
- Older adults, especially women experiencing menopause
- People with medical conditions that increase pressure on the pelvic floor, including obesity, neurological diseases, and restrictive lung diseases associated with persistent coughing4
- Children with bladder or bowel issues
Are You Looking for Pelvic Health PT?
“I’m looking for pelvic physical therapy near me.” If this thought has ever crossed your mind, ITR Physical Therapy is here to help! We work with men and women from the following communities:
Call us today at 301-770-7060 to schedule an appointment and start or revamp your pelvic floor healing journey.