Pelvic Health Therapy: Addressing Incontinence, Pelvic Discomfort, and Constipation in Older Adults
Are you experiencing incontinence, pelvic discomfort, bloating, constipation, or pelvic pain? You're not alone, but you might feel that way. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 50% of adult women experience some kind of incontinence, increasing to over 75% for women aged 65 and older. However, these issues are treatable, and you don't have to simply "get used to it." We can work together to manage your symptoms better so you have more control over your bladder.
Understanding Pelvic Floor Function
The pelvic floor is like a hammock of muscles that sits at the bottom of your pelvis, supporting your bladder, bowel, and uterus (if you have one). Just like any other muscles in your body, the pelvic floor muscles need to be strong and flexible to work properly. At times it should be relaxed, when you want to release the floor of urine, and other times, it needs to be strong (like when sneezing or coughing) to avoid episodes of incontinence. Sometimes, you may not even realize you've been holding tension in your pelvic floor all day. If your pelvic floor is always in a shortened position, it may not hold a contraction when you really need it to work.
Comprehensive Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy:
In pelvic floor therapy, our therapists look at you as a whole person, considering various factors such as routines, fluid intake, posture, physiological reactions (like the fight or flight response), emotional health, muscle imbalances, coordination of pelvic muscles, and muscle patterns contributing to your symptoms. You may need strengthening of your pelvic floor muscles, but just as often, you need to learn how to fully relax your pelvic floor so that it can function at its best.
Pelvic Health Services Available
We offer external assessments of your pelvic floor muscles and provide tailored therapy sessions to address your specific needs. Our services are currently available for women in the towns of Melrose, Medford, Malden, Stoneham, and Arlington.
Take Control of your Pelvic Health with Healthy Aging:
Don't let pelvic health issues hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. Take the first step towards regaining control and reclaiming your independence by scheduling a consultation with our pelvic health therapy team. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals.