Pelvic Health Physical Therapy at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute

Anyone can experience pelvic floor dysfunction throughout their life. UPMC Rehabilitation Institute employs a highly skilled staff with strong academic backgrounds and special training in pelvic floor disorders who can help patients relieve the pain and symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Types of Pelvic Dysfunction

• Stress Urinary Incontinence: The involuntary loss of small amounts of urine while coughing, laughing, or with activity. Weakened pelvic floor muscles may be ineffective in preventing leakage.
• Urge Urinary Incontinence: The involuntary loss of urine associated with an abrupt and strong desire to void.
• Mixed Urinary Incontinence: A condition where both stress and urge urinary incontinence coexist.
• Fecal Incontinence: May result from weakened external anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles. Patients can often improve this condition by retraining the pelvic floor muscles.
• Defecation Disorders: Patients can experience incomplete evacuation of stool, straining, pain, and infrequent bowel movements/constipation. This can occur for many reasons. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a helpful treatment option.
• Rectal or Pelvic Pain: Many people experience internal and external pelvic or rectal pain, which can make daily activities difficult. Our therapists specialize in pelvic floor rehabilitation and can provide a variety of treatments for pelvic floor pain. With an effective treatment program, patients can improve their quality of life.

Pelvic Pain Disorders

People of all ages, genders, and races can suffer from bladder and pelvic floor disorders.

The pelvic floor is a combination of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs — the bladder, vagina, uterus, and rectum. A combination of factors such as childbirth, heavy lifting, the effects of menopause and aging, and other chronic medical and neurologic conditions can weaken the pelvic floor.

Our therapists can restore movement, function, and comfort to people:

• Suffering from pelvic pain and/or incontinence.
• Experiencing pain with intercourse.
• After abdominal surgery, pelvic/bladder surgery, episiotomy, and/or C-section.
• During the prenatal or postpartum period.

Pelvic pain may also be caused by:

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A weakening of the ligaments and muscles of the pelvis that causes the bladder, uterus, or rectum to fall. Physical therapy can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to support the organs.
• Sacroiliac or Pubic Symphysis: Pelvic asymmetries can cause pain in the buttock or pelvis. Exercise can help stabilize these joints and decrease pain.
• Diastasis Recti: Commonly seen in people who have had multiple pregnancies because the muscles have been stretched many times. Pregnancy-related diastasis recti often lasts long after the person gives birth. Exercise can help improve the condition.

Rehabilitation During Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Menopause

The pelvic floor goes through many changes during pregnancy and delivery, as well as during the stages of menopause. Studies show that half of all pregnant people experience back pain. UPMC Rehabilitation Institute physical therapists can safely and effectively treat these conditions.

Osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become more fragile and is common during menopause, can also be addressed by our therapists.

Prostate Surgery Rehabilitation

After a radical prostatectomy (surgery to remove the prostate gland), people may suffer from urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, or erectile dysfunction. Physical therapy can provide relief by using trigger point release, biofeedback, and strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles.

After prostate surgery, uncontrollable urine loss is more common. Through bladder retraining and muscle re-education, everyone can learn how to effectively use these muscles to reduce symptoms and live an active life.

Gender-Affirming Surgery Rehabilitation

Physical therapy services are provided to patients for improved healing after many surgeries, and gender-affirming surgeries should be no different. You will receive a personalized, post-operative rehabilitation program that includes scar mobilization, safe exercises to improve mobility, and non-invasive options for pain management.

If you are considering gender-affirming surgery, physical therapy is recommended both before and after all top and bottom surgeries. It is important that you find a gender-affirming pelvic health therapist who is an expert in pelvic floor rehabilitation and has experience with conditions specific to gender-affirming surgeries. Pelvic health therapists focus not only on the pelvic floor muscles, nerves, and fascia but also on the synergistic relationship between the pelvic and abdominal muscles.

Call 1-888-723-4277 for additional information about pelvic health physical therapy.

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