What is the Pelvic Floor and Why You Need To See A Pelvic Floor Therapist

Unbeknownst to many of us, our pelvic floor has been a powerhouse in our body, silently working hard all day, everyday.

The pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles and ligaments that are necessary to keep your pelvic organs in all their places, maintain bladder and bowel control and assist in sexual function. If the muscles or ligaments become weak, it can affect bladder and bowel control, and lead to in incontinence (leakage), pain or prolapse. 

The pelvic floor is so important that in France, all women are given access to pelvic floor physiotherapy after having a baby.

Whether you’re a women with changing hormones (hi menopause), are currently pregnant, are postpartum, or have experienced urinary or prostate concerns, the health of your pelvic floor muscles are an important part of your overall health.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is extremely common: it's estimated that 1 in 3 women experience urinary incontinence + that number increases to 50% in women above the age of 50.

Pelvic floor dysfunction may present in many ways. You can benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy if you experience:

• urinary leakage (especially when you workout, laugh, cough or sneeze)

• urinary frequency or urgency

• discomfort during or after intercourse or orgasm

• peeing often at nighttime

• constipation

• pre-and-post natal concerns including labor and delivery preparation, pain, leakage, tearing or episiotomy

• pain, pressure or heaviness in your pelvic region

• organ prolapse

• endometriosis pain

• low back pain

The good news is you can get your pelvic floor firing again, but before you start doing your Kegels…

Kegels are not for everyone and could be making your dysfunction worse! Over 1/3 of women perform Kegel exercises incorrectly.

Pelvic Floor Treatment

What to expect with Pelvic Floor Therapy:

• A Thorough Assessment - Including a thorough health history taking into consideration lifestyle, diet + other contributors to pelvic health. Both an internal and external examination may be performed to assess the health and tone of the pelvic floor muscles + ligaments.

• Manual Therapy - Hands-on therapy to help with soft tissue release, muscle stimulation and improving circulation and mobility.

• Exercises - Focusing on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, hip and low back muscles and improving the communication between the muscles and your brain.

• Balancing Hormones – hormones play a major role in pelvic health and pelvic symptoms can be one of the first indicators of a hormonal imbalance in the body. Testing hormones can be extremely helpful as well!

• Education + Naturopathic Therapies - Including nutritional and lifestyle considerations.

• Acupuncture or Biofeedback Treatments - To help improve the connection and communication between the muscle and the brain to stimulate the pelvic floor in your day-to-day activities.

Pelvic Floor Therapy is especially beneficial before, during and after pregnancy by helping:⁠

🔹prepare for labor and delivery with breathing and pelvic floor contraction + relaxation exercises⁠
🔹prevent prolapse and/or urinary incontinence⁠
🔹ease discomfort/pain (including pelvic + vaginal pain) and leakage during and after pregnancy ⁠
🔹maintain a healthy Pelvic Floor during pregnancy to prevent further dysfunction (see below!)⁠
🔹support with post-labour tearing + episiotomy⁠
⁠

Remember, you're not alone, and there is support available.

Dr. Courtney has taken extra accreditation courses in Pelvic Floor Therapy. 

**You do not need a referral for Pelvic Health Therapy***

If you are interested in optimizing your pelvic floor or hormonal health, I am a Naturopathic Doctor virtually, and in person in Toronto and Vaughan and would love to help you reach your health goals. 

In health,

Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND