Board-certified physical therapists Kristen Davidson, PT, DPT, Megan Dykema, PT, DPT, Loni Harris, PT, DPT, RaChelle Hernandez, PTA, and Ashley Striegler, PT, DPT offer pelvic therapy at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy.

What is a pelvic floor?

Men and women of all ages can suffer from bladder and pelvic floor disorders. The pelvic floor is a combination of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs – the bladder, vagina, uterus, prostate and rectum. The pelvic floor can be weakened or become painful due to many factors such a pregnancy/childbirth, surgery, heavy lifting, chronic straining, the effects of aging, obesity, stress or abuse, and chronic medical and neurological conditions. Pelvic floor disorders significantly compromise quality of life, which can result in depression, social isolation, and avoidance of physical and sexual activity. 

Signs and Symptoms

• Leaking urine, gas or stool with laughing, coughing, jumping, sneezing, lifting, walking, running, etc.
• Leaking urine or stool when you feel a strong urge to go
• Pressure or bulging in your vagina or rectum
• Ongoing back, pelvic, groin or abdominal pain
• Bulging in your abdomen during any exercise
• Urinating more than 9 times a day, or more than 1 time at night
• Vaginal pain with intercourse
• Difficulty doing any of your everyday activities because of pain, leakage, pressure or any other symptom that concerns you
• Back or hip pain with pregnancy 

Services

• Non-invasive services designed to address the special needs of men and women suffering bladder and pelvic floor disorders.
• Pelvic floor strengthening and re-education
• Internal and external stretching and advanced manual release techniques
• Core strengthening
• Education and home exercise program
• Modalities to improve muscle and tissue function along the floor of the pelvis
• Pain relief through electrical stimulation, moist heat, ultrasound and vaginal dilators
• Treatment for pediatric bowel and bladder dysfunctions (such as bed-wetting and constipation)

Urinary Incontinence

We offer effective non-surgical solutions to urinary incontinence with or without use of medication prescribed by the physician. The goal is to strengthen the pelvic floor musculature, and through re-education, regain the ability to inhibit inappropriate bladder contractions and promote coordinated contractions of the pelvic flor. The program includes the use of specialized exercise, electrical stimulation and biofeedback. Most patients find significant improvement with as little as one treatment per week for six weeks. 

Prostatectomy

We meet with patients prior to surgery to help them understand how to correctly strengthen their pelvic floor, improve their bladder habits and create a personalized plan. After surgery, therapy consists of pelvic floor and core strengthening, bladder re-training and pain management techniques if needed. 

Pregnancy Pain

Washington Regional Pelvic Therapy provides specialized care for patients who are pregnant or post-partum. The initial evaluation is designed to reveal soft-tissue laxity, weakness and tone, pelvic girdle mal-alignment, neurological involvement, postural problems and activities that are exacerbating the condition. Treatment addresses the specific deficiencies through specialized exercise, manual therapy to correct spinal and pelvic alignment as well as soft-tissue pain, activity modifications and self-treatment strategies at home. 

Pelvic Pain

Many painful pelvic conditions, such as interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, post-surgical abdominal adhesions and pelvic floor tension myalgia can be effectively addressed with the use of pelvic floor exercise, intra-vaginal biofeedback and electrical stimulation. Most important, however, are the manual therapies affecting the soft-tissue including relaxation, facilitation flexibility and reducing adhesions. 

Osteoporosis Treatment

Osteoporosis has long been treated by physical therapists, but never as it is today. While the program still focuses on strength, flexibility and postural control, therapists have developed comprehensive, yet user-friendly regimens, which are easily translated to independent home use by these typically older patients. The program’s goals are to minimize further bone loss, decrease pain, improve independent function, prevent injury and teach patients how to help themselves. 

These services are covered by most health insurance plans. For more information call 479.463.6824.