What is Pelvic Rehabilitation?
Pelvic rehabilitation therapy addresses dysfunctions in the pelvis that may be strained, weakened, or painful by a physical therapist who has completed specialty coursework. The main focus of therapy is to restore normal, pain-free function of the pelvic floor.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues attached to the bones at the bottom of your pelvis. Your pelvic floor is working 24/7, helping to support your pelvic organs, stabilizing your hips and spine, and maintaining continence and sexual sensation.
While pelvic floor muscle training is often thought of as strengthening exercises, it incorporates both learning how to contract the muscles and how to relax/lengthen them. Pelvic floor training with a physical therapist can help a woman to achieve that balance between strength and support and length and flexibility.
What should I expect from pelvic therapy?
During your first visit, you will have the opportunity to share your history and concerns. The exam can include both external and internal assessments. The external exam includes looking at the general movement of your back, hips, and flexibility of your muscles, as well as, assessing your breathing and posture. An internal exam includes an assessment of your pelvic muscles through the vagina or rectum.
During the assessment, your comfort is the most important, you will have the option to choose or refuse any part of the examination. The physical therapist will work with you to develop a plan of care that addresses the findings of the exam to improve your overall quality of life and restore normal function.
Pelvic Dysfunction Symptoms and Treatment
What are common symptoms or conditions?
- Leakage or loss of urine or bowel
- Increased frequency or urgency to urinate
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Painful sexual intercourse
Treatments often used for pelvic floor dysfunction
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Manual therapy techniques
- Core stabilization and stretching programs
- Functional activity training
- Biofeedback (internal and external)
- Relaxation techniques
- Bladder/bowel retraining and diary
- Behavioral strategies and modifications
Our Pelvic Rehabilitation Therapist: Erin Hruska, DPT
Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist
American Physical Therapy Association CAPP-Pelvic Certified
Specialty coursework completed with:
Contact Women's Health Therapies
If you have any of the above symptoms, please contact Women’s Health Therapy, your urologist, urogynecologist, OB/GYN, or primary care physician. We can help provide supportive treatment and education for a healthy YOU!
Phone and Fax:
- Phone: 814-373-2075
- Fax referrals to: 814-333-5668
Within Grove Street Facility
Women’s Health Therapies are located in room 122 at Meadville Medical Center’s Grove Street Facility. Follow the signs upon entering through the main doors!
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