Guadalupe Regional Medical Center | Health Currents | Spring 2019

Pelvic floor rehabilitation 4  | GRMC Health Currents  The pelvic floor rehabilitation program at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center’s Outpatient Physical Therapy Unit is a new service that treats health issues resulting from dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) refers to problems that occur when the muscles of the pelvic floor are not functioning normally. PFD can be due to infections, poor posture, trauma, surgery, pregnancy or childbirth. Some of the health issues that result from PFD are overactive bladder, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence and sexual health concerns. Millions of people have PFD, but it often goes unidentified and untreated. More than 25 million Americans experience urinary incontinence, and 20 percent of Americans will experience some type of pelvic floor dysfunction during their lifetime. It’s important to note that PFD can affect all people, regardless of their gender or age. How therapy can help The good news is our specially trained physical therapists at GRMC can evaluate and treat the multifaceted conditions associated with pelvic pain and PFD. When you are a patient, your therapist will identify and address the contributing factors of PFD. They do this by using an individually designed and specific treatment regimen geared toward each patient’s needs. Pelvic floor therapy can include breathing and relaxation techniques; posture, flexibility and strength training; therapeutic exercises; and an individualized home exercise program. Could you benefit from pelvic floor rehabilitation? Here is a screening tool to help you find out. Please make a note of all that apply. I sometimes have pelvic pain. I remember falling onto my tailbone, lower back or buttocks (even in childhood). I sometimes experience one or more of the following symptoms: accidental urination, feeling unable to completely empty my bladder, having to urinate within a few minutes of a previous urination, pain or burning with urination, difficulty or frequent stopping/starting of urine stream. I sometimes have to get up to urinate two or more times a night. I sometimes have a feeling of increased pelvic pressure. I have a history of sciatica or of pain in my low back, hip, groin or tailbone. I sometimes experience bowel control issues. I sometimes experience pain or discomfort with sexual intercourse. Sexual activity increases one or more of my symptoms. Prolonged sitting increases my symptoms. If you checked the boxes on three or more of these areas, you may have PFD. You could be an ideal candidate to benefit from GRMC’s pelvic floor rehabilitation program. FEEL BETTER—NOW For more information about pelvic floor rehab at GRMC, please call 830.401.7565 .