Patients and Conditions

Incontinence, the loss of bladder or bowel control, is a common, treatable problem. This pelvic floor issue impacts bowel and bladder function which may involve occasional leaking when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or have the urge to urinate. It may also result in frequently feeling the urge to empty the bowel or bladder whether it is needed or not.

You may experience:

• Stress incontinence – Involuntary leaking during activities such as sneezing, laughing, coughing and lifting.
• Urge incontinence – Involuntary loss of urine associated with a strong urge to urinate.
• Mixed urinary incontinence – A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
• Fecal incontinence – Impaired rectal sensation or lack of muscle control resulting in loss of stool.

During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman’s body goes through many changes. To support the growing baby, the diaphragm pushes up, the ribs spread out, the abdominal wall is stretched and there is an increase in pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, bowel and bladder.

Common pregnancy and postpartum symptoms:

• Generalized weakness and fatigue
• Weight gain
• Postural change
• Abdominal bulging, pain or weakness
• Pelvic floor weakness or tightness
• Diastasis recti – abdominal separation
• Low back/tailbone pain
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Bladder leakage
• Bowel leakage
• Frequent, urgent or painful urination
• Constipation
• Pain with intimacy
• Pelvic pressure and/or heaviness
• Prolapse – organ protrudes from its normal position
• Scar sensitivity
• Difficulty with return to activity and exercise

When combined with OB/GYN care, pelvic health therapy provides essential support and consistent care through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery.

Perimenopause and menopause are two distinct parts of the full journey of womanhood, both marking the transition from fertility to infertility. As women transition from one phase of life to another, they may experience changes in their pelvic health. Our therapists assist and guide women through those changes.

• Reduced libido – Hormonal changes resulting in a decline in sexual desire.
• Vaginal dryness – Lower estrogen can thin vaginal walls and reduce lubrication, making intercourse uncomfortable or painful.
• Decreased elasticity – Can cause pain during penetration, throbbing/aching feeling after intercourse, cramping and muscle tightness.
• Changes in arousal – Estrogen decline can affect the way the body responds to stimulation.

Pelvic floor therapy techniques can help to address changes in the body associated with perimenopause and menopause. Our clinical team help you to understand this phase of women’s health and provide strategies to reduce and manage symptoms.

Pelvic pain is a persistent, unexplained pain in the lower abdomen, back or pelvic region.

Pelvic pain may develop from:

• Muscle weakness
• Strain and/or over activity, including poor posture
• Movement patterns

Men have specific needs when it comes to pelvic health. Our therapists are specially trained to work with men on a variety of issues and conditions, including following prostate cancer.

Signs and symptoms of pelvic health dysfunction in men:

• Urinary incontinence
• Hesitancy with urination or feelings of incomplete emptying
• Urinary frequency
• Pain in the low back, hip and scrotum
• Rectal pain
• Pain during or after a bowel movement
• Constipation or difficulty with defecation
• Pain during or after intercourse or ejaculation
• Pain with erection
• Erectile dysfunction

As children develop and grow, they may experience issues related to their pelvic health at different stages. Our therapists are here to help them achieve better bowel and bladder function — which can lead to healthier, happier, more confident kids.

Symptoms of pediatric pelvic health dysfunction include:

• Constipation
• Fecal or urinary urgency and/or frequency
• Fecal or urinary incontinence
• Enuresis, or bedwetting
• Abdominal pain and/or bloating
• Incomplete emptying of bowel or bladder
• Pain with emptying the bowel or bladder
• Heavy or painful periods

Pelvic health therapy can assist transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary individuals in addressing concerns that may arise from hormonal treatments, surgical interventions or gender-affirming procedures and practices. Pelvic floor therapy can help maximize bowel and bladder function, minimize sexual dysfunction and reduce or eliminate pain.

Specialized therapy is delivered in a safe and comfortable setting to help strengthen muscles, relieve pain and improve quality of life through personalized care, in an atmosphere of respect and through the guidance of and education from a specially-trained pelvic health therapist.