Pelvic floor physio is recommended for a variety of pelvic floor disorders for all genders: urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, pre/post pregnancy, menopause, prolapse etc. Despite these problems being so common, no one seems to talk about them. This leads to you to believing that you will “just have to live with it”. We are here to change that. At Brentwood Physio, we believe knowledge is power, therefore pelvic floor treatments are highly educational and informative.
Our registered physiotherapists specialize in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Using clinically proven methods your pelvic floor physiotherapist will help you reduce or eliminate pelvic dysfunction. Improving your quality of life with professional, confidential and compassionate care.
- 1-on-1 care in a private room with an experienced physio, specializing in pelvic floor.
- We assist all genders, of all ages with a wide range of pelvic disorders.
- We utilize manual therapy, modalities, education and exercises you can do at home.
- A doctors note is NOT needed to book an appointment. However, your pelvic floor physiotherapist can communicate and work together with your doctor or specialist.
- Our services are covered under your health insurance benefits. We direct bill 95% of insurance companies.
Pelvic Floor Physio Calgary
Meet your Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist:
In addition to specializing in pelvic health physiotherapy, Parmeet also has post-graduate training in MSK physiotherapy, and vestibular physiotherapy. She is amazing and we are so excited to have her at our clinic.
Have a question about how we can help, or possibly are you seeking advice? Give us a call today for a free phone consultation to help you decide if Brentwood Physio is right for you.
Want to book an appointment? Click here to book an appointment at our Pelvic Floor Clinic.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Urinary Incontinence
Do I have urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can take many forms. It may occur daily, or multiple times each day, or it might occur much more infrequently such as once a month. It may be just a few drops or a full bladder emptying, it may be fairly predictable (such as low-grade ‘stress incontinence’) or entirely unpredictable (such as ‘urge incontinence’), and it may only happen overnight. Regardless of the severity of your condition, loss of urine control is not normal and you do not have to live with it. Addressing incontinence sooner rather than later can also help prevent a natural progression of symptoms.
It’s difficult to get a good estimate of the prevalence of urinary incontinence because many individuals are hesitant to discuss it, or assume that a little leakage is normal. But at least 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men currently suffer from it, and at least 50% of women will suffer from it at some point in their lives. The causes of urinary incontinence vary. It may result from pelvic floor damage or nerve damage during pregnancy and labour, or during a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy, or it may arise from having a high body-mass, or simply be the result of muscle weakness. A variety of other factors also appear to play a role, such as diabetes and smoking.
Do you suffer from urinary incontinence?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help. Urinary incontinence can take many forms, but no matter how severe your condition is, you don’t have to live with it. Whether it’s just a few drops or a complete emptying of your bladder, addressing incontinence sooner rather than later will help prevent a natural progression of symptoms.
At least 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men currently suffer from urinary incontinence, and at least 50% of women will suffer from it at some point in their lives. The causes of urinary incontinence vary, but it may result from weakening of pelvic muscles, surgical procedures, pelvic floor damage or nerve damage during pregnancy and labour. A variety of other factors also appear to play a role, such as diabetes and smoking.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help address the root causes of your urinary incontinence and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to book an appointment and start feeling better soon.
How to treat urinary incontinence?
There are a few ways to treat urinary incontinence. The most effective way is through pelvic floor physiotherapy. You might have already been told that doing Kegel exercises can help. Kegel exercises are just one of many exercises your pelvic floor therapist might have you do.
When done correctly, Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor, which can improve unwary incontinence symptoms. Unfortunately, Kegel exercises are typically performed incorrectly and can be counterproductive for individuals whose incontinence is a result of excess muscle. Other treatments for urinary incontinence include lifestyle interventions, pelvic floor muscle training, and hands-on therapy.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can improve or eliminate your symptoms by:
- Strengthening urethral closure.
- Supporting your pelvis and decreasing the pressure on your bladder.
- Getting your pelvic floor and other core muscles in synch to effectively manage intra abdominal pressure during activity
Urinary incontinence can be treated very effectively, and it often improves quality of life. The largest costs associated with urinary incontinence are actually the costs of diapers, pads and bedding, rather than the cost of pelvic floor physiotherapy. Doctors recommended pelvic floor physiotherapy ass the first-line treatment for urinary incontinence, thanks to its high success rates and minimal risk. However, if a person does not respond to conservative treatment, they may be referred to a specialist for various medical interventions.
Medical Interventions for Incontinence
There are a few medical interventions that may be effective for urinary incontinence that does not respond to pelvic floor rehabilitation. Drug treatment; typically drugs that block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, are often the first type of prescription medication used for more difficult cases. Additionally, there are a variety of minimally invasive or invasive surgical procedures available depending on the underlying cause of incontinence.
Self Help
Incontinence can be a very frustrating and embarrassing problem. Fortunately, there are a number of self-help methods that can be effective in treating it. The most highly recommended treatment is supervised pelvic floor physiotherapy, which is safe and very effective. Recent clinical reviews have shown that women who participate in supervised pelvic floor training are much more likely to be cured of stress incontinence than those who do not. There are also a number of other self-help methods that can be helpful, including:
- Dietary changes: Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, and eating plenty of fibre can help to reduce the risk of stress incontinence.
- Avoiding constipation: Straining to move your bowels can put extra pressure on your bladder and increase the risk of stress incontinence. Practicing regular bowel movements can help to avoid this problem.
What can I expect from my first appointment?
Our pelvic floor physiotherapist will review your health history including any specialist referral information and perform a physical examination to aid in determining the underlying source of your symptoms. They will then explain their findings to you and educate you on your treatment options and what a pelvic floor treatment program would look like for your particular case. For the majority of patients, this initial assessment will also include time for initial treatment.
Often, during your physical assessment there will be an internal examination, routinely performed by our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. While such examinations are routinely performed by our clinic, they are optional.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Pregnancy
Did you know that your pelvic health is important pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy?
In fact, there are a few key things you can do to help maintain pelvic health before and after you become pregnant. Here are a few tips:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put stress on your pelvic floor muscles.
- Do Kegel exercises regularly. These exercises help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
- Avoid constipation by eating plenty of fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water.
- Practice safe sex to avoid urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- See your doctor if you experience any problems with pelvic health during or after pregnancy.
A healthy pregnancy is incredibly important for both the mother and child. Pregnant women who get regular exercise and eat a balanced diet are less likely to experience problems such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia. In addition, a healthy pregnancy can help improve the baby’s long-term health.
Pregnancy can cause a number of physical changes, including abdominal separation, ligament laxity, pelvic bone movement, and weight gain. While these changes are normal and physiological, they can also increase your risk of injury and pelvic health problems. That’s where specialized physiotherapy can help. Pelvic health solutions from a physiotherapist can help address some of the most common pregnancy-related concerns.
Pre Pregnancy
Many women are hesitant to see a physiotherapist during their pregnancy, but there are several good reasons why it is a wise decision. First and foremost, prenatal care can help to ensure a healthy and safe delivery for both the mother and the baby. Additionally, physiotherapy can help to relieve common discomforts of pregnancy, such as back pain, coccyx pain, tailbone pain, swelling, and fatigue. Pelvic girdle pain is quite common and often occurs during the later stages of pregnancy. Physiotherapy involving manual therapy and targeted strengthening can be an effective way to reduce symptoms.
Postpartum Pelvic
Physiotherapy is a great way to speed up the healing process after giving birth. It can help with pain relief, restoring function and movement, and improving overall well-being. Postpartum, the physiological effects of pregnancy may not completely resolve themselves. This can leave women vulnerable to conditions related to pelvic health dysfunction, in particular:
- Bladder weakness or incontinence
- Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
- Prolapse
- Pelvic pain
- Intercourse pain
- Back pain
- Leg pain
- Fecal incontinence
- Difficulty sleeping
- Pain during sex
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please consult our pelvic floor specialist physiotherapist.
Pelvic Floor Problems in Athletes
Pelvic floor disorders are not just associated with pelvic floor injury or weakness. In fact, rates of pelvic floor disorder can be higher in some types of athletes than in the general population. This is because vigorous physical activity can put a lot of stress on the pelvic floor muscles.
It’s possible that you have a weak pelvic floor, even if you are very fit and routinely do abdominal and low-back exercises. Pelvic floor muscles are difficult to “feel” and regular exercises don’t always target these muscles effectively. There could also be another reason why your pelvic floor is weak – it could be overactive with a muscle imbalance, or you might have a sport-related injury that’s cause pelvic floor problems.
Urinary incontinence is a common pelvic floor complaint in athletes. It can occur in both women and men, including those whose activity of choice involves a lot of core training. In fact, it’s even prevalent among fitness instructors, including Pilates teachers and yoga instructors.
Pelvic pain and deep glute, low back and hamstring pain can also originate from the pelvic floor muscles. Another possible cause of urinary incontinence is prolapse – which occurs when the bladder or uterus falls out its original position. Dyspareunia is another potential complication associated with urinary incontinence – this refers to pain during intercourse.
Is this normal?
No! Even if your pelvic floor symptoms only occur during extremely demanding physical activities, don’t worry! Pelvic floor dysfunction is not ‘normal’ and does not need to be part of your life. Many high-performance athletes do not suffer from urinary incontinence or other pelvic floor dysfunctions. You also shouldn’t need to avoid certain activities such as weight lifting, CrossFit, running or yoga – which can be particularly challenging to the pelvic floor.
There are a few different ways that pelvic floor disorders can be treated in athletes. Usually, targeted strengthening and hands-on therapy is used, but sometimes treatment differs for athletes depending on the sport. Pelvic floor therapy treatments for athletes can be different than individuals woh are not athletes, due to:
- The main cause of pelvic floor disorder in athletes is muscle imbalance, overactive pelvic muscles, or ineffective recruitment of muscles during intense exercise movements. However, there are ways to help control the muscles and prevent the disorder. Proper muscle control and relaxation techniques may be helpful, as well as incorporating alternative exercises such as reverse Kegels.
- Pelvic floor demands during sport are typically much greater than for day-to-day activities. For example, learning proper abdominal pressure control may be necessary to allow for safe and effective pelvic floor function during high-intensity activities such as powerlifting or CrossFit. When participating in these types of activities, it is important to focus on maintaining good pelvic floor health. This can be done by regularly performing pelvic floor muscle exercises and paying attention to any symptoms that may occur.
- Athletic individuals want to stay active and in shape, which can be great for rehab but also means they may be resistant to taking breaks.
- They can also suffer from other orthopaedic injuries that may complicate diagnosis or recovery.
Pelvic floor Physio for problems with Menopause
During menopause, estrogen levels decline which can lead to thinning and inflammation of vaginal walls. This causes a range of symptoms including dryness, irritation and pain during intercourse. Additionally, the decrease in estrogen may also cause pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence or recurring UTIs. Collectively these changes are known as the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.
Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms down there, like vaginal dryness or urinary problems, book an appointment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist. They can offer advice and education on medical and non-medical treatment options available to you. This might include things like hormone therapy or lifestyle changes.
See a pelvic floor physiotherapist:
There are a few things your pelvic floor physiotherapist or your family doctor can do to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
- They will help manage and fix symptoms like urinary incontinence and pain during intercourse through treatments like manual therapy and a variety of different exercises.
- They can provide you with information on vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, and other tools that may help reduce discomfort.
Estrogen therapy
There is a lot of clinical evidence that supports the safety and efficacy of local estrogen therapy for relieving symptoms like vaginal dryness and urinary problems during menopause. Patients should talk to their doctor about whether this type of therapy is right for them.
Keep in mind though that estrogen therapy generally isn’t recommended for breast cancer patients, as some people research has shown an increase in tumor growth. However, this is still an on going area of research. Currently patients and doctors are deciding to move forward with low-dose forms of local estrogen therapy to combat symptoms from menopause.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms pelvic floor physiotherapy can help resolve these issues and improve your quality of life. Treatment may include manual therapy, electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, and education on how to properly exercise your pelvic floor muscles. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Award winning Clinic and see how we can help you feel your best!