Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Important Concepts Regarding Pelvic Physiotherapy ACT AU Residents May Find Beneficial

By Stephen Lewis


Some people end up with weak muscles in the pelvic region because of one reason or another. Weak muscles are usually attributed to straining when passing stool or on urination. Pregnant women are common victims of pelvic muscle compromise because of the strain the loaded womb puts on the urinary bladder. These are some of the critical issues regarding pelvic physiotherapy ACT AU residents need to address.

One of the symptoms that may indicate poor muscle strength is incontinence of urine and stool. In this case, the individual has no control over their sphincter function. They end up soiling their inner clothes without knowing. Sometimes, even just a mere laugh or cough can cause release of stool or urine. In the early stages, affected individuals may just be unable to contain their waste for long but have intact sphincter control.

Tightness of muscles in the pelvic floor can result in the typical lower urinary tract symptoms. These are characterized by increased frequency of urination. The urine may not come as a smooth complete flow. Instead, it comes out in small volumes. This is also known as intermittency. Additional symptoms include an individual frequently urinating at night, weakness of the urine stream and incomplete bladder emptying.

Organs in the pelvis are usually held in place by muscles. These muscular structures emerge from the front, back and sides of the pelvic bone to attach to the organs. Organs that benefit from this solid support include the urinary bladder, prostate, rectum, vagina, uterus and the urethra. Surrounding the rectum and urethra, the muscles contract to ensure continence and relax to bring about urination or defecation.

Physiotherapy of muscles in the pelvic floor can be performed by either the individual themselves or a trained professional physiotherapist. The choice depends on factors such as convenience, severity of symptoms and the age of the patient. Elderly patients may not be able to the exercises on their own and often require assistance. For those who are capable, a relaxed atmosphere is key if effectiveness is to be achieved.

It is recommended that the person gets a comfortable couch where they can lie down or sit in order to perform certain exercises. These exercises are meant to subconsciously identify the abnormal tissues and subject them to the necessary form of therapy. Usually, the individual is required to contract and relax perineal muscles in a rhythmic manner until they come to a discovery. In simple words, they are supposed to hold the tissues in place as if trying to prevent passage of wind or stool. If the issue is in the urinary system, the patient has to pass and hold urine in turn. Care should be taken not to overdo this as it may result in further weakness.

If the above exercises fail to establish what muscles need exercise, then a physiotherapist can come in to assist. The therapist will have to first establish the problem through taking a thorough history and conducting a physical examination. Physical examination is usually focused on the rectum and vagina to determine the tone of muscles. A management plan can then be put in place to restore function of tissues in these areas.

In summary, muscles in the pelvic floor become compromised when they are subjected to stress as occurs in pregnancy and childbirth. In men, lower urinary tract symptoms may arise from blockage of the tract by tumors and foreign bodies. Diligence in physiotherapy goes a long way in treating incontinence and related conditions.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment