Often a physiotherapist will begin offering pelvic floor physiotherapy services after completing an introductory course that includes training in internal vaginal and rectal examination and treatment.
Internal pelvic floor physiotherapy.
Pelvic health physiotherapy also called pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized form of therapy designed to treat the tissues nerves and muscles in the pelvic region.
The internal portion involves your physiotherapist inserting one or two gloved fingers into the vaginal canal or one finger is inserted into the rectum in order to access the front and back portions of the pelvic floor muscles.
There is currently no specific pelvic floor physiotherapy curriculum offered in canada and course content differs between providers.
Internal examination helps a pt ot get a full sense of the strength and flexibility of your pelvic floor muscles ligaments and fascia.
The pelvic region is the area between your belly button and your thighs.
To treat your pelvic floor internally the therapist may insert a finger or an appropriate instrument in the vagina or rectum to massage the muscles and connective tissue directly and to release trigger points.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is diagnosed by specially trained doctors and physiotherapists by using internal and external hands on or manual techniques to evaluate the function of the pelvic floor muscles.
They will also assess your ability to contract and relax these muscles.
Our goal was for me to have a pelvic exam by my.
They are assessing your pelvic floor strength tone laxity coordination and connective tissue.
For men and some women the exam is done rectally.
A common trigger point release technique is to put pressure on the spot until it relaxes.
An internal vaginal or rectal electrode probe can also be used if needed.
Usually people with pelvic floor syndromes get relief with pelvic floor physical therapy because of that muscular skeletal involvement she says.
Our physiotherapy treatment may include specific exercises to strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles motor control and core muscle re training visceral and somatic mobilization techniques education and lifestyle modifications.
Emg biofeedback is a useful tool for those who are not good candidates or unwilling to undergo an internal exam.