Pelvic floor physiotherapy is the discipline that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions that occur in the pelvic and lower abdominal area.

This area is made up of a set of muscles and ligaments that close the abdominal cavity and are intended to keep the internal organs in their correct position.

This is a musculature that we do not usually pay too much attention to, however, its weakness can cause many problems that can greatly affect our quality of life.

According to studies, a large part of middle-aged women (between 20 and 50 years old) experience or have experienced urine loss when exercising physically or with the simple action of sneezing or laughing.

This is due, as we said, to the weakness of the muscles that make up the pelvic floor area. But be careful, because it is not a problem exclusive to women, men can also suffer from a variety of symptoms and related dysfunctions such as erectile dysfunction.

Thanks to a correct exercise routine that helps us strengthen the muscles of the pelvic area, we can prevent many of its symptoms.

Symptoms that may indicate pelvic floor weakness

Incontinence of urine, gas and/or feces.
Pelvic organ prolapses.
Pelvic pain.
Constipation.
Difficulty urinating.
Impotence and pain or lack of sensitivity during sexual relations.

Causes that cause it

As we said, in most cases these symptoms are caused by the weakness of the muscles found in the pelvic floor.

In women, pregnancy and childbirth are the main causes, while in men they usually manifest as a consequence of age, especially after 50 years of age.

A sedentary lifestyle, as well as a job in which we have to remain seated for long periods of time, are also risk factors that lead to, for example, the appearance of urinary incontinence.

The appearance of these dysfunctions is also common in athletes, especially in those who practice high-impact sports, such as running.

Between 25 and 50% of female athletes suffer from urinary incontinence.

The objective of pelvic floor physiotherapy is to strengthen, through some specific exercises, the tone and strength of the pelvic muscles, helping us to prevent and/or solve the symptoms mentioned and thus improving our quality of life.

Treatment

The first step is to thoroughly assess the behaviour of the abdominal girdle with the pelvic floor muscles to see if there is good management of the internal pressures of the body through the correct muscular activation of the abdominal girdle with the pelvic floor muscles.

Detecting the causes that are causing the dysfunctions (high intensity activities, bad posture, overexertion, constant pressure on the perineum or pregnancy or postpartum) will help us determine the treatment to follow.

Depending on the diagnosis, we apply the treatment in which we combine pelvic floor exercises with other hypopressive techniques that help improve lumbopelvic stability so that compensations do not occur at the pelvic level.

Kegel exercises, exercises that are performed by contracting the muscles of the perineum in both women and men, also help to strengthen the pelvic area. We can complement this with biofeedback to see how the exercises are performed.

Even enhancing it with electrostimulation in said musculature. Diathermy can also be helpful in cases of scars, pelvic congestion, sexual problems or pelvic pain among others.

Who is it indicated for?

People/athletes who perform high intensity activities with overexertion that can cause incontinence, hernias, prolapses and pelvic pain.
Men with pelvic pain, prostate problems, pudendal entrapment.
Women who wish to return to an activity after childbirth.
Adult women who notice weakness in the pelvic floor muscles when doing any activity.