Weak Pelvic Floor? Don’t Ignore These 5 Warning Signs Physiotherapy Can Help!

• 34 views
• 0 Comment

The pelvic floor muscles have vital roles to play in the human body. From aiding in sexual function to supporting your pelvic organs, they are responsible for several vital functions. When the muscles are weakened or have other problems, it quickly manifests into symptoms.

You need to watch out for those red flags and take action as soon as you experience them. Look up apelvic floor physiotherapist near me and book a session at a reputable clinic to address your problems and take control of your health.

Look out for these common symptoms of pelvic floor problems:

1. Urinary Incontinence (UI)

If you’re experiencing poor bladder control, you may be suffering from Urinary Incontinence (UI), a severe symptom of weakened pelvic floor muscles. As mentioned above, one of the vital functions of pelvic floor muscles is supporting pelvic floor organs like the urethra. The urinary sphincter is an essential component of the urethra that sits right under it and is also supported by the pelvic floor muscles.

When those muscles are weakened, the external urinary sphincter gets weakened and any sort of jolt or pressure can open the valve and lead to an embarrassing situation. For instance,

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Lifting heavy objects
• Bending over
• Jumping, or
• Laughing hard

Can put pressure on the stomach and pelvic floor muscles and lead to leaks. Pelvic floor physiotherapy in Kelowna can aid in addressing UI by strengthening muscle contraction at the pelvic floor.

2. Frequent urination

Weakened pelvic floor muscles can also lead to frequent urination. Your pelvic muscles are like a hammock that holds the bladder. When they get weakened, the bladder might drop down slightly. This unnatural position irritates the bladder lining and may trigger the urge to urinate more, even when the bladder isn’t full. Weak pelvic floor muscles lead to an overactive bladder that may be mitigated to a great extent by visiting a pelvic health clinic.

3. Painful urination

When pelvic floor muscles get weak, it may also lead to muscle spasms or tightness. When these tight muscles compress and put excess pressure on the urethra, it creates a hindrance to the flow of urine. Excessive pressure also irritates your urethra and causes pain during urination.

On the other hand, painful urination may hide severe underlying causes. For instance, a bladder infection can make urinating painful and also weaken the pelvic muscles. It’s important to take the necessary steps and visit a urologist if that’s the case. Meanwhile, you can strengthen your pelvic muscles by booking an appointment with a physio at a Kelowna health and wellness clinic. 

4. Pelvic pain

Weak muscles have a hard time performing usual functions and get fatigued easily. For instance, if you have weak shoulder and back muscles, you’ll have a hard time pulling yourself off the ground at the gym. You’ll also get tired after a few reps. The pelvic muscles are no different.

When you put strain on weakened pelvic muscles, it may cause sharp pangs of pain or a consistent ache. Moreover, tired muscles also develop sensitive and tight knots that can be especially painful and lead to severe discomfort.

Another reason for pelvic pain may be pelvic muscle dysfunction (PMD). When you develop PMD, the muscle groups fail to relax and have severe problems coordinating among themselves. This lack of coordination can irritate nerve endings and trigger various types of painful sensations:

• Stabbing
• Throbbing
• Burning

With the help of a pelvic floor physio in Kelowna, you have an effective supplement for non-invasive treatments like ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation.

5. Postpartum complications

Most mothers think that their pelvic muscles will heal and get back to their usual strength on their own after childbirth. However, that may not be necessary. When you opt for a natural delivery, the pelvic floor muscles have to go through immense strain, especially during the pushing phase. They are stretched to their limits and weakened. In extreme cases, the muscle fibres get torn.

During various stages of pregnancy, your body also creates relaxin, a hormone that’s responsible for loosening the ligaments at the pelvis and preparing your body for labour. While the loose ligaments are great at increasing your pelvic flexibility, they can also make your pelvic muscles insatiable. This can result in pain, problems during intercourse, and many other issues. That’s why it’s best to visit a Kelowna physio after going through childbirth.

Don’t wait for severe symptoms. Visit a pelvic floor PT as soon as you notice these red flags. Physiotherapy helps you deal with these problems and strive towards a better quality of life. 

Theresa Perez

Theresa Perez is a seasoned writer for the health industry dedicated to providing fact-based health information. She sources concise facts from authoritative sources to ensure maximum credibility and shares guidelines to lead a healthy lifestyle.