My Journey to Pelvic Floor Health

My Journey to Pelvic Health: How Physical Therapy Changed My Life"

I'm a 44-year-old mom of two, and I used to have a nagging problem. While it wasn't an issue in my thirties, I suddenly found it difficult to control my bladder when playing with my kids in a bounce house, sneezing, or even just walking through my front door. I had been complaining about this to my doctor since the birth of my first child. He prescribed pelvic floor physical therapy, but for years, I hesitated to take that step, unsure of what it would entail. Fast forward 12 years and another child later, my issue was worsening, and I finally decided to give it a try. Little did I know that I was about to embark on a life-changing journey, receiving education I didn't even know I needed. I'm sharing my story in the hope that pelvic floor therapy becomes a standard of care for all women.

The Pelvic Floor: What Is It?

If you're wondering, the pelvic floor is a muscular area that supports a woman's pelvic organs, including the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra, and rectum. Men also have a pelvic floor, though with some differences in anatomy.

Getting Started with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:

My initial visit with the therapist involved a detailed discussion of my complaints. Why did I have an uncontrollable urge to pee as soon as I entered the house or a restroom stall at work? Why did I have to cross my legs before sneezing? And why, despite being physically fit (I can squat and deadlift my body weight), did my core and pelvic floor feel weak? After a thorough Q&A and a quick external assessment, my therapist concluded that I had a weak and tight pelvic floor. (“WTH???” I thought.) “It’s like having a tight hamstring.” she said….. “Also, a weak hamstring that needs to be properly strengthened.” “Oh, I think I get it now”, was my response.

Over the course of about 8 sessions, I learned to address my pelvic floor issues. Yoga poses like "child's pose" and "happy baby" helped me stretch and relax my pelvic floor muscles. I also focused on stretching my piriformis, a deeper muscle connected to the pelvic region. I learned to visualize and activate the deep inner muscles of my pelvic floor, including those near my spine and deep within vaginal walls. I discovered that not all Kegel exercises are the same and how to coordinate them with my breath. The sessions were as “thorough” as I was comfortable with…. Meaning, if an internal assessment with my therapist’s gloved hand was recommended, that’s what I did. During some sessions, I was connected to electrodes within the vaginal and perineal regions to ensure I was learning to relax and contract these muscles correctly. The real-time feedback with images of contracting correctly to get a dolphin on a monitor to jump out of the water then relaxing sufficiently to get that same dolphin to fall back into the water made it engaging and interactive, even though it wasn't exactly "fun." This real time feedback was quite funny, kinda practical, and admittedly cool. The therapist also taught me techniques to re-sync my brain with the involuntary smooth muscles of my bladder and urethra. Kegel “quick flicks” now retrain the smooth muscle in my bladder not to automatically contract once I walk into my front door.

Maintaining Pelvic Floor Health:

Incorporating what I learned into my weekly workout, stretching, and meditation routines over the past year has been a game-changer. While I'm not perfect or entirely fixed, I now know how to maintain my pelvic floor competence.

My Advice:

I urge all women, especially those experiencing any issues related to controlling their bladder or bowel movements, to consider pelvic floor physical therapy. It's common for women who've given birth, whether vaginally or through cesarean section, to experience these issues. The stigma surrounding these types of concerns is fading away, and it's worth noting that pelvic floor "re-education" is standard postpartum care for women in many parts of Europe. So, why should women in the United States have to endure these issues when women in France happily sneeze and jump in the bouncers without leaking pee? It's time to take control of your pelvic health and improve your quality of life.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is intended for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your individual health and fitness needs. We do not endorse or promote any specific products or services mentioned on this blog. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.