What is occupational therapy?
As Occupational Therapy providers, we help people participate in their desired occupations (aka activities in our lives that are meaningful or important to us)! Occupational therapy considers the complex relationship between a person, activity, and environment that activities/occupations take place in. In other words, occupational therapy’s goal is to help people improve their functional ability to participate in their daily lives.
We can take a closer look at various kinds of life activities in which we engage: activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation.
Someone experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction may have difficulty participating in their daily activities as a result. For example, they may have a fear of incontinence in public (work, school, community, religious practices), pain that limits function, or psychosocial barriers associated with their pelvic floor dysfunction. As OT providers, we look at any dysfunction present in a person’s life and help assist in getting them to achieve a better quality of life.
How could pelvic floor dysfunction impact a person’s life?
ADLs:
*Toileting and hygiene (i.e.: Continence, intentional control of bowel movement and urination, maintenance of menstrual/incontinence care devices)
*Sexual activity - ability to participate in pain free, pleasurable sexual activity.
IADLs:
*Caregiving - pain/incontinence limiting caregiving abilities
*Community mobility - Ability to participate within community (driving, grocery shopping, community events)
*Home management - Ability to maintain home/garden
Sleep:
Ability to engage in relaxing, restful sleep, performing nighttime care routine pertaining to toileting needs, preventing night time need to void/incontinence, and preventing falls.
A person able to be continent of bowels/bladder, feel comfortable and confident, and feel socially accepted has a better ability to fully participate in work, play, leisure, and social activities
Occupational therapists are a crucial part of the pelvic floor team and bring something to the table that PTs do not. We're excited to show you more about what we can offer!