Have You Considered Pelvic Floor Therapy?

In 2018, the #gyncsm community chatted about Pelvic Health After a Gyn Cancer Diagnosis. We discussed how treatments for gynecologic cancers affect pelvic health. We also talked about pelvic floor physical therapy and how it can help alleviate many of the pelvic issues including pain and dysfunction such as urine leakage. 

"Pelvic heath involves the entire area of the bony pelvis, lower abdomen, genitals, reproductive organs, muscles, bowel/bladder/sexual function, nerves...and more." "GYN survivors often have bladder/bowel issues after radiotherapy & surgical treatment." (#gyncsm chat 12/12/18 transcript) 

When the muscles in the pelvic floor are weak or don't function properly then pelvic dysfunction may happen. In addition to surgery, radiation such as brachytherapy ( internal radiation used to treat cervical, endometrial and other cancers ) can also effect the pelvic floor muscles as well as issues due to aging, being overweight, injury and pregnancy.

Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized therapy for those with pelvic floor dysfunction. Exercises can help strengthen muscles, increase range of motion and help restore the function and eventually get you back to a normal routine. 

The Mayo Clinic , when discussing physical therapy states:

"Stretching exercises, massage and other relaxation techniques may improve your chronic pelvic pain. A physical therapist can assist you with these therapies and help you develop coping strategies for the pain. Sometimes physical therapists target specific points of pain using a medical instrument called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS delivers electrical impulses to nearby nerve pathways. Physical therapists may also use a psychology technique called biofeedback, which helps you identify areas of tight muscles so that you can learn to relax those areas."

When I saw my advanced practice nurse last year I discussed some issues I was having. She thought it was a good idea to try physical therapy and gave me info on a physical therapists in North Jersey. 

When I got home I remembered a zoom workshop I watched during Covid on Menopause and Pelvic Health given by the same physical therapy group I had used when I had issues with my knee. So I reached out. 

In December, I started the pelvic floor therapy with Theresa Feeley, DPT from Atlantic Physical Therapy. I had thought I had been doing the Keegal exercise correctly but I had not. The physical therapist went over the correct way to do it as well as  breathing techniques while laying down and standing. She also asked me to keep a diary of what I ate and what I was doing when issues occurred. I found that I would use the restroom before I left the house even if I might have gone 15 minutes before. It didn't matter if I was going to be out for a few hours or a quick run to the post office I would go. In effect I had programmed myself to go and of course my bladder worked accordingly. So I was "going" more that I really needed to.  I had to consciously tell myself that in most cases I did not need that extra trip to the rest room. 

Using the diary I found that I had more issues when I had caffeinated beverages. So I have cut back on caffeinated tea, soda and coffees.

Between visits I perform the exercises and follow the breathing techniques especially when bending over during yoga and Jazzercise.  Here I am, a few months later, and I have seen a significant improvement.  

 I urge other women who have issues with leaking etc to speak to their health care provider and ask for a referral for pelvic floor therapy. I'm happy I did!

 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing.