Prioritizing Pelvic Floor Health

We’re proud to announce a brand-new service here at Creekside, one that we know will help so many people eliminate some discomfort from their lives: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, offered by our own Gillian Horton.

This is physiotherapy that focuses solely on the pelvic floor, the group of muscles that sit in the pelvis like a sling or hammock. They hold and support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, and attach to the front, back, and sides of the pelvic bone and sacrum.

The Pelvic Floor is an incredibly important part of our body, serving as the foundation for our internal organs, a key component of core strength, and an integral part of the health of our bladder, bowel, and sexual function.

And yet, so few of us do much (or anything!) to maintain the proper functioning of this muscle group — unlike so many other muscle groups in our bodies, which get so much of our attention. Many of us haven’t considered how we can utilize the pelvic floor appropriately and correctly in daily activities to ensure its health in the long-term.

It’s no wonder: because the pelvic floor is completely internal and hidden inside the pelvis, we can’t see this area, and thus can’t accurately assess its strength or weakness, the way we could our biceps, say.

But because it often goes unnoticed, pelvic floor dysfunction is quite prevalent, and one of the most common ways it manifests is in female urinary incontinence. Although many women are taught that urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging, this isn’t exactly true. It is incredibly common, but does indicate that the pelvic floor is not in its optimal state.

There are two main pelvic floor dysfunctions that can cause urinary incontinence in females: hypertonicity, when the muscles are too weak and cause stress incontinence, and hypotonicity, which is when the muscles are too tight and cause urge incontinence. Both, thankfully, can be helped enormously by pelvic floor physiotherapy.

Your appointment will look a little different than other treatments. To begin, Gill will ask questions about the specific problem: how and when it started, and the issues and deficits it’s potentially linked to. Next, she’ll chat with you about your specific goals, so that she knows what results are being aimed for through the treatments.

Then, Gill will ask several questions, including some about your bladder, bowel, and sexual functions, as the pelvic floor is closely linked to all three of these systems. All in all, the consultation about your history and goals will take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Next up is your physical exam, which is partially internal. While this may not be as widely available in Canada as it is in places like Europe, where it has been standard practice for 30 years, this part of the treatment is incredibly important. It allows your physiotherapist to accurately assess your pelvic floor’s function, and what specifically needs attention and care.

Research shows that internal examinations of issues within the pelvic floor muscles are highly successful, and the treatments prescribed thereafter can have a much higher chance of easing problems and pain. It’s similar to how your physiotherapist or orthopedic surgeon wouldn’t evaluate your knee, for example, through a pair of jeans!

This efficacy means that these internal examinations and the treatments your physiotherapist provides are a fantastic first line of defense that can help patients avoid other, more invasive, medical and surgical interventions for incontinence and other pelvic issues.

Once Gill has examined the state and function of your pelvic floor muscles, she’ll create a treatment plan unique to your needs, based on the information gathered from your history, goals, and physical exam. This might include exercises, movements, and things to consider during your daily activities.

Gill is not only a highly trained physiotherapist, but also a sensitive and caring practitioner who is dedicated to ensuring that your appointment feels as safe and comfortable as possible.

If you’re interested in learning more about pelvic floor physiotherapy, or would like to book an appointment, please contact us here, send us an email, or call our clinic at 250-427-2202, and we’d be happy to answer any of your questions.