Pelvic Health – Let’s talk about it

It’s more common than you think…

1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experiences incontinence at some point in their life. Only 1 in 12 cases are known to health care workers because people are often embarrassed to talk about it, or they are afraid health care providers will simply dismiss their symptoms.

7 out of 10 women experience low back pain during pregnancy and 2 out of 10 women experience pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Many people are affected by pelvic health dysfunction…so let’s talk about it!

It affects people in different ways…

Our pelvis contains many muscles and other tissues that help to support our organs and joints. These muscles must be able to contract and relax to allow for proper bowel and bladder function, and in women – proper sexual function. We don’t usually pay attention to this system until something isn’t working properly or when symptoms start to appear. Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction may include constipation, incontinence, pelvic girdle pain, feelings of ‘heaviness’, painful intercourse or persistent low back pain.

Incontinence is a common symptom in people with pelvic floor dysfunction. Some people experience an extreme urge to urinate but do not experience symptoms of leakage. Some people experience leakage when they cough, sneeze, laugh or jump. Many women also develop low back pain or pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy or after giving birth.

It is often misunderstood…

There are several myths out there about pelvic health and incontinence.

“It is normal to experience urinary leakage after childbirth.”

INCORRECT

Urinary leakage is NOT a normal consequence of childbirth.

“It is normal to experience urinary leakage as you age”

INCORRECT

Urinary leakage is NOT a normal consequence of aging

“Pelvic floor dysfunction only affects women.”

INCORRECT

Pelvic floor dysfunction affects BOTH women and men of all ages.

It impacts your quality of life…

Some people may stop doing certain activities or hobbies because of their symptoms. Many people feel embarrassed so they don’t seek any help. Those dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction may decrease their social activity, physical activity and may become isolated and experience decreased self-esteem. Many people may not seek treatment because they feel that there is nothing that will help.

There IS something you can do about it…

KEGELS ARE NOT ALWAYS THE SOLUTION…

Depending on the type of incontinence you are experiencing, kegels may actually make your symptoms worse! Some types of incontinence may be caused by an overactive pelvic floor.

Doing kegel exercises may cause more overactivity in the pelvic floor and will not help to relieve symptoms.

Your physiotherapist can do a thorough assessment and will give you the correct exercises to either relax or strengthen your pelvic floor. They will also work with you to make sure you are doing the exercises properly and using the correct muscles.

PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP!

Research has shown that pelvic health physiotherapy is effective in treating symptoms of incontinence and should be included in the first line of treatment for urge and stress incontinence (Dumoulin & Hay-Smith, 2010). There is also research to support the use of pelvic floor physiotherapy in treating painful bladder conditions (American Urological Association, 2010).

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada also recommends that pelvic floor physiotherapy and core stability training be incorporated to prevent and treat pelvic and back pain during and after pregnancy (Britnell et al., 2005). In France, pelvic floor physiotherapists are involved in pre- and post-partum care for all women. This is not yet the standard of care in Canada.

A proper assessment by a pelvic health physiotherapist will help to identify the root cause of your pelvic dysfunction symptoms. Pelvic health physiotherapists use a combination of internal and external assessment and treatment techniques. These include massage, muscle release techniques, acupuncture, pain education and therapeutic exercise to help patients restore proper pelvic floor function.

Your physiotherapist will work with you to ensure that you are comfortable will all the assessment and treatment techniques being performed.

A pelvic health physiotherapist can also help with other conditions:

Prenatal/post-natal back or pelvic pain

Pelvic organ prolapse

Painful intercourse

Chronic pelvic pain

Dyspareunia (difficult of painful sexual intercourse)

Vaginismus

Vulvodynia

Endometriosis

Interstitial cystitis

Chronic prostatitis

Pelvic health physiotherapy is covered under extended health benefit plans.

Have more questions? Not sure if physiotherapy can help?

Contact Kelly Leong, Physiotherapy Resident at kleong@formfunctionclinic.com