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Blood in urine is called hematuria and can indicate a problem in the genitourinary tract. See our Harris County urologists for help.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Understanding pelvic floor physical therapy

Did you know that internal muscles help control your bladder and bowel movements? Furthermore, did you know that when those muscles get weak, it can lead to urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse? Our PT team performs pelvic floor physical therapy to help relieve certain symptoms. You can count on our physical therapists and our Houston urologists when you need diagnosis, treatment and pelvic floor rehabilitation.

What you need to know about your pelvic floor

There is a vital group of muscles located at the bottom of the pelvis. These layered muscles support your pelvic organs, including your bladder, bowel and anus in men and women. They also support a woman’s urethra and uterus. There are several things that can weaken pelvic muscles and cause pelvic floor dysfunction problems.

  • Age
  • Pelvic surgeries
  • Trauma
  • Smoking
  • Cancer treatment
  • Pregnancy and childbirth

Pelvic floor physical therapy helps men and women dealing with various urology problems

Weakened pelvic floor muscles lose their ability to contract or relax normally. This can lead to several health issues for men and women.

Our Houston urologists expertly diagnose patients with these health issues, often referring them for pelvic floor physical therapy.

How do our pelvic floor physical therapists treat pelvic floor issues?

If you aren’t familiar with this type of physical therapy, you may be nervous or intimidated at the thought of potentially intimate treatment. Pelvic floor PT does deal with your intimate, personal areas, but it’s no different than seeing your urologist or gynecologist. Our therapists are professional and compassionate, putting you at ease before, during and after treatment. Here’s what you can expect if you need pelvic floor physical therapy.

  • Our PTs begin by talking with you about your problems. Often, they perform a physical examination of your external genitalia, checking for pain or problems, followed by an internal examination. The exam is vaginal for women and performed through the rectum for men. The exam isn’t necessary for everyone, but it is extremely helpful for certain problems. Our therapists can explain the exam and how it will help you.
  • External therapy involves everything from trigger point pressure to massage of the buttocks, hips, vulva or perineum. Therapists also help patients do exercises and stretches in the office and create a home exercise plan.
  • Therapy may include internal treatment, in which our therapist accesses the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues vaginally or rectally. Once they have access to the muscles, they can manipulate them as part of treatment.
  • Biofeedback is a wonderful pelvic floor rehabilitation tool. It helps patients become more aware of their pelvic muscles, learning to strengthen and retrain those muscles.
  • Gentle electrical stimulation stimulates pelvic nerves to help strengthen the pelvic muscles.

Our physical therapists and Houston urologists work together on pelvic floor rehabilitation

Diagnosing and treating the problems that cause pelvic floor issues involves our urologists and sometimes our physical therapists. The entire team collaborates to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life through pelvic floor physical therapy and other targeted treatments. Contact us for an appointment.