
PELVIC HEALTH
Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a wide range of problems (incontinence, constipation, pain) that occur when the muscles of the pelvic floor are weak, tight, or there is an impairment of the sacroiliac joint, low back, coccyx and/or hip joint. The tissues surrounding the pelvic organs may have increased or decreased sensitivity and/or irritation resulting in pelvic pain.
Voted Best of the Best
Physical Therapy Clinic
of Central Arkansas
Our pelvic floor therapists have gone through extensive post-graduate training and several have achieved professional certifications in the area of pelvic floor therapy and prenatal and postpartum therapy.
With a combined 55+ years experience, they provide the highest level of care that is patient-centered, scientifically based, and achieves excellent outcomes.
HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELP THE PELVIC FLOOR?
BLADDER DISORDERS
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Urinary frequency- more than 12 voids in a 24 hour period
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Urinary urgency, hesitancy, retention and/or incomplete emptying
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Nocturia (urinary frequency at night) more than 1 void during sleeping hours
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Pain in the urethra, bladder, and/or pelvis
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Difficulty initiating urination
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Weak urine stream and/or a stream that stops and starts
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Interstitial Cystitis (IC): Also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS). Recurring pain or discomfort in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. Signs and symptoms may include urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia (nighttime frequency) and retention; dyspareunia (painful intercourse); pain in the low back, suprapubic area, and/or abdomen; and pain before, during, or after urination.
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Urinary Incontinence: Any involuntary loss of urine. This can be due to muscle weakness or muscle spasm/tightness.
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Urge incontinence: Urine loss due to a strong desire to urinate (urgency), with only a quick warning.
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Stress incontinence: Urine loss due to an increase in abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, lifting, laughing and running.
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Mixed incontinence: Combination of urge and stress incontinence.
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Urinary retention: Difficulty or inability to urinate. This could be caused by various medical conditions of the prostate, kidneys or urethra. Additionally, some medications may cause urinary retention. Retention may be a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction when pelvic floor muscles are in spasm or guarding and a patient is unable to relax the muscles, which is necessary for emptying of the bladder.
BOWEL DISORDERS
Constipation
Fecal Incontinence
Bowel frequency, urgency, retention, and/or incomplete emptying
Hemorrhoid pain
Rectal prolapse (Rectocele)
Difficulty controlling flatulence/gas
Diarrhea Bloating
Rectal and/or abdominal pain, pressure, or spasm
Pelvic pain
Levator Ani Syndrome
PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE
Cystocele: Herniation or protrusion of the bladder into the vagina most often due to pelvic floor muscle weakness. May result in incomplete emptying of the bladder and consequently urinary leakage.
Enterocele: Herniation or protrusion of the small intestine between rectum and vagina
Uterine Prolapse: Herniation or protrusion of the uterus into the vagina
Rectocele: Rectal prolapse
PELVIC PAIN
Prostatitis
Proctalgia Fugax
Coccydynia
Anismus
Endometriosis
Pelvic Congestion
Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID)
Dyspareunia
Vaginismus
Vulvar vestibulitis
Vulvodynia
Lichen Planus
Lichen Schlerosus
POST SURGICAL CARE
Hysterectomy
Hernia repair
Laparoscopy/laparotomy
Cesarean section
Appendectomy
Prostatectomy
Episiotomy
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
Is your child over 5 years of age and still wearing pull-ups? Is your child on medication to regulate his/her bowel/bladder? If any of the problems listed below sound familiar, then we can help! We meet with each child and their parent/s or guardian initially to get a thorough knowledge of history and current problems. We then do a physical examination, looking at the muscles of the abdomen, legs, back and others we feel applicable to the specific problem. Finally, we consult with the parent and child to develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment is one-on-one, hands on, in a comfortable and private treatment room with the parent or guardian present.
Urinary incontinence (Loss of urine)
Urinary urgency (Constant/strong need to urinate)
Urinary frequency (Urinating over 8 times in a 24-hour period)
Urinary retention (not fully emptying the bladder)
Fecal urgency, frequency, and/or retention
Bowel incontinence, pain with defecation, inability to empty bowels
Excessive gas, abdominal bloating
Constipation, diarrhea with/without soiling or staining