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Let’s talk about sex and pelvic health with a panel of licensed physical therapists.
Common Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Pelvic Physical Therapist May Evaluate and Treat
- pelvic pain,
- pelvic pressure,
- pain during sex,
- urinary incontinence (UI),
- overactive bladder,
- bowel incontinence,
- incomplete emptying of feces,
- constipation,
- myofascial pelvic pain,
- pelvic organ prolapse.
Male Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction
Pelvic floor physical therapy is not limited to female patients. Males experience a host of pelvic floor dysfunctions.
In this episode, Tammy Roehing, PT, DPT, Ph.D. discuss options for treating med with pelvic pain and dysfunction.
Education and communication are among the most important components of any pelvic floor treatment plan.
Risks and Liability of Being a Pelvic Floor Therapist
This amazing panel discusses real-life patient experiences and how they design the patient care experience to optimize for the best patient outcome and minimizes the risks associated with pelvic floor therapy.
Treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction to Improve a Patient’s Sex Life
Often, therapists are not directly trying to improve a patient’s sex life. Therapists are treating dysfunction associated with pain, muscle weakness or spasm, etc. and as a result, the patient’s sex life may improve.
Internal Exam and Education
In some cases, an internal exam may be indicated but is not always required. Pelvic floor therapists often use three dimensional models to show patients what the muscles do and where they are located.
Pelvic floor therapists may perform the examination and treatment or educate the patient on how to perform a self-examination and self-treatment.
More Information About this Episode…
On this episode, we bring on Tammy Roehling, Pam Kays, Ariana Jones, and Anya Vierra who all treat and educate in pelvic health physical therapy.
Tammy starts with common pelvic dysfunctions seen in clinic that may affect patients during sex – pelvic pain, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. The women discuss how these are seen in most if not all patient populations as well as portraying society’s view about sex.
Treatment techniques mentioned include while keeping in mind patient comfort and consent:
- Education & communication
- Internal & external massage
- Therawand
- Biofeedback
- Vaginal dilators
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Desensitization
- 3 phase progression for mind-body connection
Fun Facts:
- Water based lube or coconut oil is best for lubrication
- On average, it takes over 10 years from onset to diagnosis of pelvic pain conditions
- Since onset of COVID, there was an increase in dyspareunia present in clinic which the group agreed was due to stress
- Audio record sessions if it involves treatment performed internally
As a physical therapist, it is important to understand how the patient defines sex and what their goals are because it may be different from our own beliefs about sex. Even when pain-free sex is achieved, it is essential to continue thinking of function with sex – orgasm with pleasure.
Ariana is holding a webinar about returning to sexual activity after delivering a baby on Tuesday August 27th, 2020. Register here.
PARTING SHOT
“Always have a curiosity. Always have compassion. Ask all the questions” – ANYA
“Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” – PAM
“A lot of people have dysfunctional pelvic floors especially after having a baby… Women need to get in and get their pelvic floor healthy.” – TAMMY
“All the women out there, look at your vulvas so you can pick it out of a line up.” – ARIANA