Speak Openly About Pelvic Health
Pelvic health issues are probably more common than you think, but if you have been paying attention then you’ve probably heard a lot more about pelvic health lately. Is there a sudden epidemic of pelvic floor dysfunction sweeping the country? No, fortunately not. You probably have heard more about pelvic floor dysfunction recently because slowly but surely pelvic health issues are coming out of the shadows and into the light to be discussed openly.
Incontinence, constipation, urinary frequency, and painful sex aren’t exactly considered fun topics of discussion, but if you suffer from these conditions, or other pelvic health issues then it is a discussion that is worth having.
The fact is that pelvic health issues affect millions of women and men around the world. Recognizing that pelvic health issues are completely common and sometimes dangerous is the first step to finding relief. Being proactive about your health is crucial: you have to be your own biggest advocate.
Common pelvic health issues
Some of the most common pelvic health issues are:
- Incontinence
- Constipation
- Frequent/urgent urination
- Organ prolapse
- Sexual discomfort or pain (during or after intercourse)
- Pain in your lower back, pelvis, genitals, or rectum
- Urinary leakage
- Other issues relating to the bowels, bladder, or sexual organs
Broadly speaking pelvic health issues can be broken down into two categories:
- Hypotonic: Weak pelvic floor muscles leading to incontinence, urinary leakage, or even organ prolapse.
- Hypertonic: Tight pelvic floor muscles cause frequent urination, pain, inflammation, or constipation.
Physical pain aside, many people who suffer from pelvic health issues may find their condition embarrassing, causing them to avoid social situations, and putting a serious damper on their sex life. The emotional toll that these social and sexual side effects can have can be just as difficult to deal with as the condition itself.
Normalizing pelvic health, being confident of yourself, and supporting others with similar conditions is important. Many people fail to receive the treatment they need due to embarrassment or a lack of information. Over time pelvic health issues will only get worse, which is why it is important to catch them early.
Many pelvic health issues can be treated with physiotherapy, while others may require surgery followed by pelvic health physiotherapy.
Internal Pilates
Pelvic health physiotherapy has been described as ‘internal Pilates’ and like regular Pilates it is designed to strengthen, increase flexibility, and reduce tension. After an assessment from a trained pelvic health physiotherapist, you’ll be placed on a personalized plan to tackle your pelvic hypotonic, or hypertonic health issues.
Hypotonic pelvic physiotherapy aims to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles without causing tightness. Hypertonic pelvic physiotherapy, on the other hand, first stretches and reduces tension in your pelvic floor muscles, before also strengthening them.
Painful intercourse, incontinence, and other pelvic health issues can take a toll on your mental health, sex life, and your relationship. Pelvic health physio is as much a preventative therapy as a restorative one. Performing Kegels and other exercises regularly is a great way to maintain pelvic floor health, but for the best results you should consult with one of the pelvic health physiotherapists at Core Kinetics. Call us today to begin the path to better pelvic health!