Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Services Offered
Pregnancy-related pain
There are many changes going on in a woman's body during pregnancy including muscular, ligamentous and hormonal changes that affect how the body moves. Oftentimes this can lead to pain and dysfunction. At Amplify Physio, we educate and guide women on proper muscle activation, movement patterns and breathing mechanics that will not only help with pain and dysfunction but prevent further issues as well as assist with delivery and postpartum recovery.
Most pregnant women have been advised to perform kegels; however, many times the muscles need to be lengthened before being strengthened. Doing kegels without an assessment can cause tight muscles to tighten further which can cause issues during the push phase of labor because the muscles are unable to relax and lengthen.
Most pregnant women have been advised to perform kegels; however, many times the muscles need to be lengthened before being strengthened. Doing kegels without an assessment can cause tight muscles to tighten further which can cause issues during the push phase of labor because the muscles are unable to relax and lengthen.
push therapy
Push therapy involves a comprehensive assessment of the pelvic floor and a movement assessment to see how the body works together. Patients are taught how to properly relax the pelvic floor and to engage core muscles to help during the push phase of labor and delivery.
We will discuss the various pain-relief techniques that are helpful with a medicated or unmedicated birth and discuss your birth plan - it can be simple or elaborate! We will also discuss the options you have whether you choose a hospital, birthing center or home birth.
We will look at total body movement to make sure the other muscles are working alongside the pelvic floor to help assist the delivery process. Everything mentioned above will not only help with the labor and delivery process but also the postpartum recovery process!
We will discuss the various pain-relief techniques that are helpful with a medicated or unmedicated birth and discuss your birth plan - it can be simple or elaborate! We will also discuss the options you have whether you choose a hospital, birthing center or home birth.
We will look at total body movement to make sure the other muscles are working alongside the pelvic floor to help assist the delivery process. Everything mentioned above will not only help with the labor and delivery process but also the postpartum recovery process!
Postpartum recovery
Regardless of the type of delivery (c-section or vaginal; medicated or unmedicated), every woman should have the resources to properly heal and recover postpartum. You can start as early as 2 weeks post-vaginal and c-section delivery.
We will take a detailed history of your labor and delivery to help us develop your individualized treatment plan . We will perform an internal assessment to determine tight/restricted muscles, weak muscles or a combination of both. Then we'll develop an appropriate treatment plan to to address the areas that need to be lengthened, strengthened or both. There will be an emphasis on proper body mechanics when bottle/breast feeding, lifting car seat, lifting baby or other kiddos. The treatment plan will be tailored to your specific postpartum goals - such as, return to running, lifting, swimming, running after kiddos, etc.
*Internal assessments of the pelvic floor will be conducted after your OBGYN's approval which is typically 6 weeks post-vaginal delivery and 8 weeks post-caesarean delivery.
We will take a detailed history of your labor and delivery to help us develop your individualized treatment plan . We will perform an internal assessment to determine tight/restricted muscles, weak muscles or a combination of both. Then we'll develop an appropriate treatment plan to to address the areas that need to be lengthened, strengthened or both. There will be an emphasis on proper body mechanics when bottle/breast feeding, lifting car seat, lifting baby or other kiddos. The treatment plan will be tailored to your specific postpartum goals - such as, return to running, lifting, swimming, running after kiddos, etc.
*Internal assessments of the pelvic floor will be conducted after your OBGYN's approval which is typically 6 weeks post-vaginal delivery and 8 weeks post-caesarean delivery.
prolapse
Symptoms of prolapse:
Whether you currently experience these symptoms and/or if your OGBYN has diagnosed you with a prolapse, all hope is not lost! There are exercises you can do to minimize and even completely rid yourself of these symptoms. You are not alone! Prolapse is much more common than you think and it's about time that we, as a society, start normalizing this. You can have a completely normal life with proplapse - that includes running, jumping, lifting, etc. Do not be discouraged, we are here to help ease your fear and discomfort and help you return to an active lifestyle!
- Heaviness or dragging discomfort in pelvic region
- Feeling like tampon is going to fall out
- Feeling like the bladder doesn't empty all the way when you use the bathroom
- Seeing or feeling tissue bulge out of the vagina
- Pain/discomfort with intercourse
- Urinary/fecal incontinence (leaking urine or feces)
- Trouble having a bowel movement and needing to press the vagina with your fingers to help have a bowel movement
- Feeling as if you're sitting on a small ball
- Feeling as if you have vaginal tissue rubbing on clothing
- Pressure or discomfort in the pelvis or low back
Whether you currently experience these symptoms and/or if your OGBYN has diagnosed you with a prolapse, all hope is not lost! There are exercises you can do to minimize and even completely rid yourself of these symptoms. You are not alone! Prolapse is much more common than you think and it's about time that we, as a society, start normalizing this. You can have a completely normal life with proplapse - that includes running, jumping, lifting, etc. Do not be discouraged, we are here to help ease your fear and discomfort and help you return to an active lifestyle!
DIASTASIS RECTUS (ALSO KNOWN AS "MOMMY POOCH"
Almost everyone will experience Diastasis Recti (DRA) during pregnancy. DRA is when the abdominals muscles (think 8 pack ab muscles) split to make room for your growing baby. Postpartum, the abdominals will most likely still be separated. Some DRAs will go away on their own in approx 6-18 months and others stay. Most people notice a DRA by a lower belly pooch that is labeled the "mommy pooch". Besides aesthetic reasons to minimize DRAs, it's also important functionally. Persistent DRAs can lead to low back pain, lower body injuries/pain, etc. DRAs typically show that there is poor pressure distribution when breathing and lifting. DRAs also typically come alongside urinary incontinence (think, peeing while running, sneezing, coughing, lifting) but not always.
At Amplify Physio, we will teach you how to improve your DRA and to restore muscle strength. This will carry over into day-to-day activities and prevent injuries when lifting and playing with your kiddos- it will even improve performance at the gym!
At Amplify Physio, we will teach you how to improve your DRA and to restore muscle strength. This will carry over into day-to-day activities and prevent injuries when lifting and playing with your kiddos- it will even improve performance at the gym!
urinary/fecal incontinence
Urinary and fecal incontinence is when there is leakage of urine and feces during normal daily activities such as coughing, sneezing, lifting and walking/running. It can also present as urinary frequency or urgency (increase in how often you pee or not being able to make it to the toilet in time) as well as fecal urgency and constipation.
Prolapse can play a role in this but not always. We'll discuss in detail your symptoms and do a food and bowel/bladder diary to look at your patterns. We will also perform an internal assessment of your pelvic floor to determine tight muscles, weak muscles, or both! Then we'll develop an individualized treatment plan to to address the underlying cause of the urinary/fecal incontinence.
Prolapse can play a role in this but not always. We'll discuss in detail your symptoms and do a food and bowel/bladder diary to look at your patterns. We will also perform an internal assessment of your pelvic floor to determine tight muscles, weak muscles, or both! Then we'll develop an individualized treatment plan to to address the underlying cause of the urinary/fecal incontinence.
Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
Causes of Dyspareunia:
We will take a detailed history of your pain to determine the most likely cause of your pain. We will then perform a comprehensive assessment which will include: an internal assessment to determine tight/restricted muscles, weak muscles or a combination of both. Then we'll develop an individualized treatment plan to to address your pain/discomfort.
- Vaginismus is the body's automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration. Whenever penetration is attempted, your vaginal muscles tighten up on their own. You have no control over it. Occasionally, you can get vaginismus even if you have previously enjoyed painless penetrative sex. Oftentimes, vaginismus is related to trauma and/or strict religious practices.
- Sexual trauma
- Pregnancy
- Postpartum
We will take a detailed history of your pain to determine the most likely cause of your pain. We will then perform a comprehensive assessment which will include: an internal assessment to determine tight/restricted muscles, weak muscles or a combination of both. Then we'll develop an individualized treatment plan to to address your pain/discomfort.
*Internal assessment may not be appropriate for those who have a history of sexual abuse or trauma. This will be discussed during the evaluation and throughout the assessment. Consent will ALWAYS be required. If an internal assessment is agreed upon, it can be discontinued at any time. There are many things that can be addressed without involving an internal assessment and this type of assessment is never required. Significant improvement can be made without an internal assessment!