Do you suffer from pelvic floor issues?

Research is showing that pelvic floor dysfunction affects approximately 25% of women aged between 30-70 worldwide (Reference #1). The most common cause is childbirth or prostate surgery; it can also be linked to men and women who are overweight, have asthma or chronic constipation, or individuals who regularly partake in high intensity and strenuous exercises or professions (weight lifting, professional athletes) (Reference #1).

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Pelvic floor dysfunction can include pelvic floor muscle weakness, or it can be caused by hyperactive pelvic floor muscles that are unable to relax (Reference #4).

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What symptoms you may be suffering from that could indicate poor pelvic floor control:

• Urinary urgency (Reference #1)
• Urinary leakage or difficulty emptying the bladder (Reference #2)
• Pelvic pain (Reference #2)
• Pain with intercourse (Reference #1)
• Low back pain (Reference #3)
• Bowel incontinence (Reference #1)
• Getting up repeatedly throughout the night to urinate (Reference #3)

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What we may do

An osteopathic appointment at Muna will consist of:

1. History: This will include questions on your past medical history, detailed analysis of possible causes for your current situation, and any subsequent treatment or exercise prescription that may be relevant.
2. Assessment and Examination: This will consist of orthopaedic testing, testing of range of motion of the surrounding structures, tissue quality, functional movement limitations, as well as any pain disability questionnaires that may be relevant.
3. Treatment: The extent and types of treatment that may occur during your consult will vary greatly depending on the cause of your pelvic floor dysfunction. As such, the aim may be to:
4. Improve stability and mobility of joints within your spine, pelvis, hip, sacroiliac joint, knee, and ankle.
5. Improve pelvic floor control, pelvic floor firing, and muscle strength.
6. Decrease compression or irritation of nerves.
7. Decrease muscular strain and tension that could be affecting posture, as well as hip and pelvic biomechanics.
8. Provide specific stretching and strengthening exercises or rehabilitation programs.
9. Provide advice for symptomatic relief as well as posture control, breathing mechanisms, and management of aggravating factors to return you as quickly as possible to work and sport.

If we feel your condition needs further attention, then we may refer you for imaging, to your GP, or to a specialist.

References:

1.  http://www.advancedpelvic.com/news-pelvic-floor-dysfunction.html
2.  http://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/elite-athlete.html
3.  https://www.physio-pedia.com/Low_Back_Pain_and_Pelvic_Floor_Disorders
4.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3498251/

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