What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Nicklaus Children's Rehabilitation Services provides a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation and treatment for patients suffering with challenges related to pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).

Physical therapy management of pelvic health conditions has been shown to be an effective and non-invasive complement to standard medical treatment of patients with pelvic pain, constipation, encopresis, enuresis, incontinence, and many other symptoms. Our primary goal is to optimize muscle control, posture, and establish healthy habits in a child focused and family friendly environment.

How can our pelvic floor physical therapy program help?

Pelvic floor dysfunction, bowel and/or bladder issues can be improved with physical therapy by using a variety of treatment techniques and incorporating important behavioral changes. Our physical therapy program focuses on educating our patient families to help their child's condition improve.

Throughout the pelvic floor therapy program, patient families will learn:

• Anatomy and physiology of pelvic floor muscles and how they relate to bowel, bladder, and pelvic floor dysfunction
• The role of nutrition, proper hydration, adequate sleep, and daily physical activity
• Posture re-training
• Breathing and relaxation strategies
• Manual techniques to improve postural/bony alignment that may affect the pelvic floor
• Exercise techniques to help improve pelvic floor and hip musculature mobility for optimal bowel and bladder function
• Strength and coordination of the pelvic floor and the abdominal musculature
• sEMG Biofeedback to help child learn how to contract and relax their pelvic floor, helping to improve coordination of the pelvic floor
• Development of home programs, toilet schedules, charts, etc. tailored to each child

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This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM