Pelvic Floor Therapy in North Central, Pa.

If you have constipation, urine leaks, or pain during intercourse, pelvic floor therapy can help.

Pelvic floor therapy is physical therapy to help with muscle weakness or tightness in the pelvic area. At UPMC Rehabilitation Institute in north central Pa., our physical therapists specialize in treating pelvic floor problems in women, men, and children of all ages.

We offer the latest in pelvic floor therapy at the following locations in north central, Pa.:

• UPMC Rehabilitation Institute – Costello Center.
• UPMC Rehabilitation Institute – Eastern Lycoming YMCA.
• UPMC Rehabilitation Institute – Little River Plaza.
• UPMC Rehabilitation Institute – Mansfield.
• UPMC Rehabilitation Institute – Route 6.

To make an appointment, ask your PCP to refer you.

How Can Physical Therapy Help My Pelvic Floor Health?

Like any other set of muscles, the pelvic floor muscles need to work properly to ensure your health.

The pelvic muscles help support:

• Bowel and bladder function.
• The lower back.
• Women's reproductive organs.

Weak pelvic floor muscles can cause:

• Urine leaks.
• Back pain.
• Problems healing after giving birth.

Our team can teach you exercises and behavioral tactics to strengthen or relax your pelvic floor.

Pelvic Floor Conditions We Treat

You're never too old or too young to seek care for your pelvic floor issues. Whether you have problems from an enlarged prostate or tough pregnancy — or your child has bedwetting issues — we can help.

Adult pelvic floor conditions we treat

We treat a range of urinary and other pelvic floor issues for both men and women.

They include:

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Urine leaks when you cough, laugh, or sneeze. Many women who've been through childbirth suffer from SUI caused by a weakened pelvic floor.
• Urge urinary incontinence (UUI), also called overactive bladder. It's a frequent, urgent “gotta go" feeling. UUI is common in women, but men with an enlarged prostate may also suffer from it.
• Pelvic organ prolapse. When weakened pelvic muscles allow the uterus, bladder, or rectum to descend or push into the vagina.
• Constipation. When muscles of the pelvic floor do not properly relax during bowel movements.
• Fecal incontinence. Can happen when the pelvic floor muscles are weak or stretched.
• Pain conditions. Can include belly and rectal pain, and pain with intercourse.

Children's pelvic floor conditions we treat

We treat kids who have:

• Constipation — hard, dry, infrequent stools that can be painful to pass.
  
• Encopresis — chronic constipation that leads to leaking stool.
  
• Urinary incontinence — daytime urine leaks.
  
• Nocturnal enuresis — nighttime urine leaks.

Your First Pelvic Floor Therapy Appointment

Your first appointment will be about an hour long and will include:

• A discussion of your health history and current complaints.
• A thorough musculoskeletal exam that includes the back, lower limbs, and pelvic region.
• A tailored treatment program to address your pelvic health needs.

All exams and treatments are in a private room.

Treatments for Pelvic Floor Disorders

Your customized treatment plan may include:

• Pelvic floor muscle strengthening and relaxation.
• Posture and body mechanics training.
• Manual (hands-on) therapy.
• Computer-guided pelvic floor retraining (biofeedback).
• Behavioral strategies.
• Bladder retraining techniques.

To make an appointment for pelvic floor therapy, please ask your PCP for a referral.