Discussions of pelvic health often start and end with Kegel exercises. However, pelvic health care goes beyond tried-and-true exercises for those recovering from childbirth or managing pelvic floor disorders. Pelvic health physical therapists at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation come alongside men and women on their journey toward overall wellness.
“In recent years, pelvic health physical therapy has become more mainstream, which is good news,” said Allison Abramson, pelvic health physical therapist at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation. “It offers a noninvasive, low-risk means for serving patients – reducing the need for surgery, helping prepare for surgery, reducing reliance on medication and complementing traditional medical management – and usually produces excellent outcomes.”
Serving a Wide Audience
Though many consider pelvic health a female-centric issue, pelvic floor dysfunction affects men as well, resulting in a variety of issues.
No matter who is affected, pelvic health physical therapy can help restore form and function. At Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation, therapists work alongside adult men and women to address various pelvic floor problems, including the following:
- Constipation
- Genitourinary symptoms of menopause, endometriosis and pelvic pain
- Overactive bladder
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pregnancy-related pain
- Prostate issues
- Sexual dysfunction
- Urinary and fecal incontinence
Every year, eight pelvic health therapists serve approximately 1,000 patients through Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation’s five outpatient clinics in Montgomery County. While this is a significant patient load, many more could benefit from these services. The National Institutes of Health reports that as many as 50% of all American women live with some sort of pelvic floor health problem. Men do as well.
“Many patients say they wish they’d known about pelvic physical therapy sooner,” Abramson said. “They’re very thankful to find relief after dealing with pelvic floor issues for years.”
Advanced, Tailored Care for Enhanced Pelvic Health
A growing body of clinical research has prompted the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy to create clinical best practices for pelvic-related diagnoses, standardizing patient care and clinician education on evidence-based care.
Along with these guidelines, emerging therapeutic approaches are allowing for improved patient care and outcomes. One tool that is particularly helpful within the clinics is real-time ultrasound. This imaging device provides real-time visual biofeedback, giving patients a clear view of how muscles respond to specific exercises. With this knowledge, patients return home and perform exercises tailored to their specific needs.
To ensure patients gain maximum benefit from pelvic health physical therapy, we tailor every plan to the patient’s specific needs, adjusting based on age, sex, diagnosis, physical limitations and more. One-on-one sessions increase compliance and ensure patients progress safely and understand the purpose of every step along their health journey.
Many patients also use additional technologies during therapy sessions to further their rehabilitation. Two advances that aid in more effective therapeutic experiences include:
- Biofeedback units: Special sensors help the patient perform exercises properly to improve control of the pelvic floor muscles.
- Electrical stimulation units: A stimulation unit delivers a mild electrical current to nerves in the lower back or pelvic muscles. This stimulation increases the pelvic floor’s strength and reduces unwanted symptoms.
Such advances over the past decade have enhanced the patient experience and recovery, and Abramson anticipates that ongoing research efforts will uncover new approaches that further patient care.
Your Role in Improved Pelvic Health
“Pelvic floor problems can have a huge effect on someone’s quality of life, and it’s common for people to suffer in silence,” Abramson said. “They’re either too embarrassed to talk about it or didn’t realize anything could be done for it.”
This is where clinicians can guide patients toward a better quality of life, according to Abramson. She encourages clinicians to become familiar with pelvic health physical therapy services. When treating a patient with pelvic floor issues, clinicians can mention pelvic health physical therapy as an effective option for long-term, lasting improvement. If unsure whether a patient is a candidate for pelvic health physical therapy, clinicians can reach out to the Adventist HealthCare therapy team or refer the patient for an initial consultation.
Along with bringing relief, Abramson states that therapy brings patients other benefits, such as:
- Enhanced awareness of their body
- Improved strength
- Increased knowledge of strategies to manage symptoms
“Pelvic health physical therapy gives patients a safe space to openly discuss the troubles they’re having,” Abramson said. “Then they learn techniques and exercises to help get back to the meaningful activities they’ve been missing.”
Register to vote in the next U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals survey.
