Medically reviewed by Ashlie Crewe
For those grappling with pelvic floor dysfunction, there is plenty of good news. The innovative advancements in pelvic floor therapy are not just promising; they are delivering relief to individuals dealing with pain, incontinence, and postpartum issues. Discover the latest technology designed to alleviate your symptoms and restore your quality of life.
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a condition in which the tissues and muscles that support the pelvic organs (including the uterus, prostate, bladder, and rectum) are not functioning properly.
PFD symptoms include:
Various factors, including certain medical conditions, aging, obesity, childbirth, and surgery, can cause PFD. Pelvic floor physical therapy is commonly considered a first-line treatment for pelvic floor disorders. This comprehensive approach helps reduce pain and improve function, often combining therapeutic exercises with advanced therapies and technologies, as outlined below.
Ultrasound technology allows for real-time visualization and assessment of pelvic floor muscles, while thermographic imaging detects temperature changes that may reveal areas of tension or inflammation. This data helps physical therapists and other healthcare providers diagnose dysfunction and deliver personalized, targeted treatments, ensuring you receive the care that’s right for you.
Biofeedback involves using specialized techniques or equipment to help patients learn how to relax and strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, enhancing bladder or bowel function and reducing pain. This treatment strategy may use specialized sensors placed externally and/or internally to measure the electrical activity of the muscles that control bladder and bowel function.
The provider monitors the changes on the device screen as the patient relaxes and contracts their muscles. This real-time feedback helps the patient identify the correct muscles and make adjustments to improve their condition.
Pelvic floor muscle stimulators use low-level electrical currents to activate pelvic floor muscles, mimicking natural contractions. It helps identify and target key muscles while improving circulation and muscle tone. FDA-approved and safe, this therapy is designed to reduce urinary and bowel urgency and frequency while strengthening pelvic floor muscles.
EMSELLA is a safe, non-invasive treatment that helps men and women increase pelvic floor muscle control, reduce urinary incontinence, and improve intimate satisfaction. The fully-clothed patient sits on a specialized chair that emits high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM) that strengthens and stimulates pelvic floor and other hip muscles.
Patients living with bladder leakage and/or erectile dysfunction may also find improvement with low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT.) Noninvasive shockwave therapy delivers high-energy soundwaves to trigger the body’s natural healing process in the soft tissues. A device is applied to the affected area, inducing a localized inflammatory response that boosts blood flow and stimulates new cell growth. LiESWT also has an analgesic effect, helping to reduce nerve pain often experienced by individuals with pelvic floor disorders.
This safe and painless therapy harnesses the power of magnetic fields to stimulate the nerves that control the pelvic floor muscles. This treatment essentially “exercises” these muscles with magnetic pulses instead of electrical stimulation.
During a typical session, the patient sits on a chair embedded with a magnetic system, as the provider uses a separate power unit to control the delivery of painless magnetic vibrations that trigger muscle contractions. Pulsed magnetic stimulation is thought to be beneficial for postpartum rehabilitation and for individuals experiencing urinary and fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
Patients can also wear cutting-edge technology in the form of INNOVO pelvic floor shorts. INNOVO shorts are embedded with neuromuscular electrical stimulation that stimulates the pelvic floor muscles to contract. A single session delivers the equivalent of 180 Kegel exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor, reduce bladder leakage, and improve social health.
This at-home wireless pelvic muscle exerciser is inserted directly into the vagina. It uses biofeedback technology to monitor pelvic floor contractions, aiming to strengthen the pelvic floor and improve mild to moderate urinary stress and urge incontinence.
The Perifit uses smartphone technology to provide biofeedback so users can track their workout’s effectiveness and progress over time. For new users, three to five 10-minute sessions are generally recommended per week.
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Although these pelvic floor therapy devices and treatments show great potential in relieving pelvic floor disorder symptoms, it’s essential to consult a licensed professional with expertise in treating PFD for proper care.
Pelvic floor therapy starts with a comprehensive initial assessment where the physical therapist discusses your medical history and symptoms. They perform a physical exam to visually evaluate your spine, hips, and pelvis floor muscles. They may conduct an internal pelvic floor exam as well with your consent.
Once the assessment is complete, the physical therapist creates a personalized treatment plan to address and improve your symptoms. Pelvic floor exercises are often a cornerstone of therapy, and these are prescribed in conjunction with pelvic floor devices and other modalities to treat joint dysfunction, nerve involvement, and muscle tightness, weakness, or imbalance impacting pelvic floor function.
Your physical therapist also provides a home exercise program to complement your hard work in the clinic and enhance your results. The length and duration of pelvic floor therapy vary from person to person. Physical therapists closely monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. If you are interested in utilizing one or more of these innovative treatment devices, your physical therapist can assist in guiding you to the appropriate device.
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction control your life any longer. Take the first step toward healing and reclaiming your confidence by contacting a skilled physical therapist today. With expert care and personalized treatment, you can overcome discomfort and regain your strength. Find a physical therapy clinic near you to start your healing journey today!
