Pelvic floor physiotherapy attends to the important muscles assisting with bladder, bowel, and sexual function, as well as a strong core and healthy back. Despite their importance, many of us are unaware that they exist. In turn, we do very little to ensure we’re using them properly or keeping them healthy.
“Pelvic floor dysfunctions are more common than you might imagine. But one of the reasons that we may not know about them is because we don’t talk about them,” Keri points out.
Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Some common signs of pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- urinary incontinence (leakage of urine)
- fecal incontinence (leakage of stool)
- difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel completely
- pelvic pain
- pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area
Other symptoms can include chronic constipation or sexual dysfunction, such as pain during intercourse or difficulty achieving orgasm. If a person is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should reach out to a pelvic physiotherapist to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
The Importance of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Pelvic floor physiotherapists, like Keri, specialize in the assessment and treatment of conditions that affect the muscles, ligaments, connective tissue, and nerves of the pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques, such as biofeedback, pelvic floor muscle exercises, and manual therapy, to help improve patients’ symptoms and overall quality of life. Additionally, they help increase education around how to properly care for and maintain our pelvic health.
“Kegel exercises are not for everyone. They are often done incorrectly, activating instead all sorts of muscles other than the important ones,” says Keri. “They can be very hard to locate and activate.” That’s where pelvic physiotherapists come in.
Pelvic physiotherapists, much like other physiotherapists, treat physical dysfunction. Their aim is to get their patients get back to regular physical activities as quickly as possible. What makes them different—and lesser known or perhaps uncomfortable—is their ability to diagnosis and treat through the vagina and rectum.
Through hands-on therapy, pelvic physiotherapists have the ability to help patients access these muscles and train them accordingly. Pelvic health is important to our overall health. And this is what makes Keri so passionate about the work that she does.
Pelvic Muscles & Menstrual Products
Keri is a strong advocate of the DivaCup. In her practice, she highlights the importance of pelvic health in relation to the use of menstrual products. “The pelvic floor muscles are vital to the placement and overall comfort of a DivaCup. Having a healthy pelvic floor ensures easy and worry-free use of menstrual products.”
If you are struggling with inserting your DivaCup or Diva Disc, contact our Consumer Experience Team for support. They can assist you in troubleshooting any issues related to sizing and positioning.
If you experience pain or continue to have difficulties with insertion, seek out a pelvic physiotherapist in your area.
You can learn more here. If you are within Canada, Pelvic Health Solutions has a list of practicing pelvic floor physiotherapists in Ontario and Alberta.
