Problems associated with the perineal region affect many people, men and women of every age. Their effects can be very embarrassing and this can make some people avoid talking to their health care professional about them. Incontinence and urinary leaks as well as perineal and pelvic pain are signs and symptoms that are unfortunately all too common and can even lead to anxiety and shame. Thankfully, perineal rehabilitation is an efficient approach for treating dysfunctions associated with the pelvic floor. Let’s take a look at this physical therapy treatment!
What is perineal rehabilitation?
Perineal rehabilitation is a physical therapy approach that aims to treat dysfunctions affecting pelvic floor muscles and sometimes abdominal muscles.
Both men and women have a group of muscles called a pelvic floor, although it is slightly different in each gender. In women, the pelvic floor surrounds the vagina and anus whereas in men, the pelvic floor extends from the scrotum to the anus. The pelvic floor serves a similar purpose for both men and women, such as:
- Holding urine, feces, and gas
- Maintaining the bladder and uterus (in women) in place
- Ensuring healthy sexual function: orgasm in women and erection in men
- Maintaining posture, just like abdominal and lumbar muscles
When the muscles in the pelvic floor are not strong enough, they cannot carry out their role efficiently.
The effects of pelvic floor dysfunction
A person suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction can experience symptoms such as urinary and fecal incontinence or gas. They might also feel pain during sexual intercourse or erectile dysfunction (in men).
When these muscles are not strong enough, the organs they support can sag, descend, and even slip out of the vagina or rectum. This condition is called prolapse and can even lead to a prolapsed bladder.
What causes pelvic floor dysfunction?
This occurs when the muscles of the pelvic floor are no longer strong enough. Muscles can weaken as we age, making older people more susceptible to this condition.
However, some events such as pregnancy can also cause this problem. In fact, a pregnancy exerts strong pressure on the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, which can weaken them or cause them to separate (diastasis recti).
Thankfully, a physical therapist can help counter or minimize the effects of pelvic floor dysfunction.
What happens during a physical therapy session?
To establish a proper treatment plan, a physical therapist must examine their patient thoroughly in order to determine which part of their anatomy is affected by the dysfunction. The physical therapist will then suggest exercises to improve the strength, coordination, and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises will also help stretch the muscles to prevent incontinence, pelvic organ descent, as well as pain.
Treatments may vary according to the nature of the problem. They can include:
- Pelvic floor muscle training exercises, including Kegel (named after an American gynecologist who invented these exercises as an alternative to surgery, allowing the genital area to relax)
- Tips for lifestyle changes, including tips on which foods and liquids to eat and avoid
- Manual techniques
- The use, if needed, of specialized devices such as biofeedback in order to visualize how the pelvic floor reacts.
Problems associated with the pelvic floor also affect men and can cause symptoms similar to those experienced by women. That’s why perineal rehabilitation treatments can be prescribed for both genders.
Clinique GO™ can provide you with perineal rehabilitation services at your home. These services will allow you to strengthen your pelvic floor and avoid unpleasant symptoms caused by a pelvic floor dysfunction. You don’t need to travel anywhere, our services are provided in the location that suits you the most!
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
