5 Reasons to Consider Pelvic Floor Therapy

Do you ever experience an uncomfortable leak when sneezing, or do you experience a “heavy” feeling in your lower belly that just won’t go away? These could be signs that your pelvic floor — which is a group of muscles that support many of your organs — is compromised. The muscles in this region could be too tight or too loose, for example. Other signs that your pelvic floor may not be functioning normally could include:

• Frequently needing to urinate
• Trouble starting to pee
• Constipation or trouble emptying your bowels
• Pain during intercourse
• Low back pain without a known cause
• Persistent pelvic pain or pressure
• General discomfort or “bulging” in your genitals

At Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare in Fayetteville, Newnan, and Stockbridge, Georgia, our team of board-certified OB/GYN providers is dedicated to offering comprehensive gynecological care personalized to meet your unique needs. 

The good news is that pelvic floor therapy can help restore the health of this area of your body. Keep reading to learn five key reasons you might want to consider this life-changing treatment. 

1. Combat urinary incontinence

Let’s face it: Urinary incontinence, whether it’s a little leak when you sneeze, a frequent urge to pee, or trouble controlling your bladder, is never fun. In fact, it can be very distressing and negatively impact your quality of life. 

The root cause of incontinence is often due to weak pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor therapy can help you strengthen these muscles. This, in turn, can give you more control over your bladder and help stop unexpected leaks.

2. Make sex enjoyable again

Pain during sex isn’t just uncomfortable; it can cause strain in your relationship and negatively affect your self-confidence and well-being. Often, this type of pain results from tight or tense pelvic muscles. 

With pelvic floor therapy, we can provide you with targeted exercises and stretches. These activities can then help these muscles relax, which can make intimacy enjoyable once again. 

3. Get rid of aches and pains

Many people don’t know that lower back pain can be due to problems with the pelvic floor. That’s because if your pelvic floor muscles are weak or imbalanced, this can contribute to instability and discomfort in your lower back.

By fortifying your pelvic foundation with pelvic floor therapy, you may be able to eliminate or reduce your nagging back pain.

4. Recover from — or get ready for — childbirth

If you recently had a baby or are getting ready to have one, it’s important to understand that pregnancy and childbirth put immense strain on the pelvic floor. Having a healthy pelvic floor can help ensure a smoother delivery.

And a strong, healthy pelvic floor can also help you recover more quickly postpartum. Therefore, engaging in pelvic floor therapy before and after childbirth can help you make sure these important muscles are functioning at their best.

5. Improve your core

Your pelvic floor muscles are an integral component of your core. A strong and stable core — which consists of the muscles in your midsection — isn’t just important for athletes, it’s essential for everyday activities, from lifting groceries to playing with your kids. 

Plus, a healthy core acts like a protective shield for your overall health, offering critical support for your spine, lowering your risk for falls as you age, and reducing stress on joints and muscles to protect your overall musculoskeletal health. 

Get personalized guidance for your pelvic floor

Pelvic floor therapy offers potential benefits for many women. If you’re curious about the health of your pelvic floor, we can perform a thorough evaluation and let you know where you stand.

Then, if needed, we can discuss pelvic floor therapy and customize a plan just for you. To learn more, call 770-991-2200 or book an appointment online with Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare today.