Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Queensbury, Glens Falls, Saratoga Springs NY

I have heard from many of my physical therapy clients in the Queensbury – Glens Falls region that they had no idea that physical therapy can help with their pelvic conditions. Help me to spread the word!

What Is The Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, nerves and connective tissue that support the internal organs of the trunk and pelvis. Dysfunction of this area can be caused by many factors. Common conditions include muscle weakness, overactive muscles (tightness), poor posture, and injury (from pregnancy, childbirth, chronic coughing, repetitive lifting or surgery). Medical conditions also include interstitial cystitis, pelvic organ prolapse, and enlarged prostate. These conditions will often lead to urinary or bowel incontinence, retention (difficulty urinating or constipation), or pain anywhere in the pelvic region.

Physical therapy works to restore your body back to it’s previous level. We use a number of techniques and treatments to help you achieve your goals.

• Stretching tight areas is one of the most common treatments that I teach. If an area is restricted it will cause an imbalance among your body, leading to pain or limitations in movement.
• Strengthening weak areas. Most people know and understand the concept of and need for strengthening. What we frequently see in PT is that many people are strengthening incorrectly. A PT can teach you how to properly strengthen.
• Manual techniques. Hands on treatment of mysofacial release, trigger point therapy and manual stretching can help release restrictions in the tissue.
• Modalities. These include TENS, heat or ice packs, or biofeedback. TENS helps to block your pain. Heat or ice packs can increase blood flow or decrease inflammation. Biofeedback can help you to visualize how your muscles are working. With biofeedback we can teach you to increase your muscle contraction or decrease your muscle tone with relaxation. One important note to make is research shows that modalities should be used as a secondary line of treatment. Any of these modalities can help you, but should not be used as a first line of defense. Treatments that can be utilized at home and continued for a home exercise program will be the most effective in carrying over what you learn in PT.
• Internal assessments are the most effective tool a pelvic physical therapist can use in your care. Feeling the internal pelvic muscles and connective tissue can help your PT to have an accurate picture of your muscle contraction, muscle relaxation, areas of tenderness, and trigger points. Once this full assessment is taken we can then work on the specific areas of need, which may be external or internal stretching, strengthening, and manual releases.

Now that you have a clearer picture of how we provide patients from Glens Falls, Queensbury and Saratoga Springs pelvic floor physical therapy, call 518-632-4944 to schedule an appointment or refer a friend today.