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Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
Should You See a Pelvic Floor Therapist? Six Signs Suggest So
One of the first things Lacey discovered is that within the wider field of physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy is still a somewhat unknown quantity:
When you think of pelvic floor therapy, you may think of Kegel exercises — which are basically a workout for your pelvic floor muscles — but there's a lot more to it than that. When these muscles aren't functioning properly (aka, pelvic floor dysfunction), a variety of symptoms can get in the way of your day-to-day activities. We spoke to pelvic floor physical therapists about the signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction to look out for. If you experience any of these, it might be time to see a pelvic floor specialist.
Having realized the importance of pelvic health and the specialized training that is required to optimize it, Lacey came to me for some insights.
Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that aims to restore the function of your pelvic floor, a group of muscles that help control your bowel, bladder, sexual and postural function, says Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, a Los Angeles-based physical therapist.
If you are a regular reader of our site you may already have some knowledge about your particular condition. That said, the six causes listed by Lacey are certainly worth reviewing.
The six signs you should see a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
- Leakage When You Laugh, Cough or Sneeze - Bladder leaks are no laughing matter, but we've got lots of great tips to help!
- Painful Intercourse - If you suffer from Interstitial Cystitis, here is a great video inteview I did that is worth a watch, and here are many more articles on the various causes of painful sex.
- Frequent Trips to the Bathroom - Frequent urination can be a real bother, but we've got solutions!
- Aches and Pains During and After Pregnancy - Lumbopelvic Pain is just one example of pain during pregnancy. Find lots more great tips on pregnancy related pain here.
- Pelvic Pain, Heaviness or Bulging - If you're experiencing bulging or heaviness that causes pelvic pain, look here for some answers.
- Fecal Incontinence or Constipation - We can help whether you can't hold it in or you can't let it out!
Navigate here to read the full article about why you should see a Pelvic Floor Therapist at Livestrong, and go here if you are ready to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed physical therapists.
