Women's Health
Discover how Main Line Health provides comprehensive and compassionate care for women in all stages of life.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
What is pelvic floor rehabilitation?
Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to weakened or damaged muscles, ligaments and/or nerves in the abdomen (belly) and pelvic floor. Pelvic floor conditions affect men and women although women are particularly vulnerable to pelvic floor disorders, often due to pregnancy or menopause. These problems may also come about as a result of cancer and cancer-related treatments.
At Bryn Mawr Rehab we have a team of certified pelvic floor physical therapists (PT) who are able to offer more comprehensive treatments for these sometimes complex conditions. And with our three outpatient locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, we're sure to offer pelvic floor rehabilitation near you.
Our pelvic floor rehabilitation therapists take a holistic view of pelvic floor dysfunction and apply a combination of safe, effective therapies to help improve your symptoms and quality of life. It all starts with an outpatient consultation during which one of our qualified therapists will ask you a number of questions about your symptoms. Some of these questions may seem personal but your answers will help us better understand what's going on. Your therapist will then conduct a physical examination. This may include an internal exam, either vaginally or rectally, and a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment in order to determine your condition and the plan of care that's right for you.
Depending on your diagnosis, pelvic floor therapy may include:
- Biofeedback – using special sensors and a computer monitor to provide information about muscle activity helps patients better understand how to use and train pelvic floor muscles
- Core stabilization – strengthening and training the abdominal (core) muscles to contribute to overall strength and control of pelvic floor muscles
- Joint mobilization – hands-on therapy used to improve joint mobility and flexibility in low back, hips and pelvis
- Myofascial release – soft tissue therapy performed manually to help stretch tight muscles, restore blood flow and relieve pain
- Trigger point release – identifying specific points that trigger pain (sometimes transferred to another area of the body) and applying pressure and release to relieve the pain and restore energy flow
What to expect from pelvic floor rehabilitation
Your pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment may also include pelvic muscle dilation with relaxation training along with therapeutic exercise, functional activities or electrical stimulation to support overall muscle strength and function. Your pelvic floor rehab therapist will also educate you on:
- Bowel habits and defecation mechanics (ways to poop comfortably)
- Bladder and urgency retraining
- Diet modifications (e.g., fluid and fiber intake, things that irritate the bladder)
- Muscle relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing techniques
- Ways to minimize discomfort and modify risk factors
Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation
Learn how Main Line Health can change the lives of you and your loved ones through physical and cognitive rehab for several conditions and injuries.
Urology
Our skilled urologists offer comprehensive, compassionate treatment and personalized solutions for urological conditions.
Physical Therapy
Each inpatient and outpatient physical therapy rehab is individually designed and administered by a licensed physical therapist who consistently guides you from that first visit all the way through recovery.