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Pelvic Pain & Incontinence Management

What are Pelvic Floor Disorders and Incontinence?

Pelvic Floor Disorders

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that forms a sling across the pelvis. These muscles keep the pelvic organs in place; organs like the bladder, rectum, and uterus. Once there is a weakening in the pelvic floor muscles and their connective tissue, the supported organs no longer have their delicate balance. This can cause one or a number of pelvic disorders.

Pelvic floor pain can interfere with your ability to sit for prolonged periods of time and may potentially affect your ability to work or perform activities of daily living. Some women can’t even tolerate wearing fitted pants and underwear. Pelvic pain may also limit your ability to participate in sexual relations with your partner and cause undue strain on personal relationships.

Pelvic pain is not a hopeless condition and is manageable with the appropriate treatment followed by a home program.

For more information about pelvic floor disorders, visit our Health Library.

Incontinence

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control and the inability to predict when and where urination or bowel movements will occur. It is not a part of normal aging. Incontinence is usually a result of weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. It is a common disorder experienced by millions of women and men of all ages. Often, it seems difficult to manage and many maintain the mistaken belief that nothing can be done to correct the problem.

In women, incontinence can be present throughout a pregnancy and remain after delivery, or can begin after menopause. It is most common in men after prostate surgery or prostate problems.

For more information about incontinence, visit our Health Library.

Commonly Treated Conditions

The following conditions related to pelvic floor pain may be treated with therapy:

• Episodic rectal pain, caused by spasm of the levator ani muscle (Levator ani Syndrome)
• Pain around the tailbone (Coccydynia / Coccygodynia)
• Painful vaginal penetration / painful intercourse (Dyspareunia)
• Painful ejaculation
• Painful or difficult urination or defection
• Chronic vulvar pain (Vulvadynia / Vulvar vestibulitis)
• Chronic inflammation of the bladder wall (Interstitial cystitis)

The following conditions related to incontinence may be treated with therapy:

• Urinary incontinence 
• Overactive bladder
• Strong, sudden need to urinate due to bladder spasms or contractions (Detrusor instability)
• Bowel incontinence
• Prolapse, a condition in which organs slip out of place (Cystocele: bladder begins to bulge into the vagina; Rectocele: rectum presses into the vagina; Enterocele: small intestines press down on the vagina)

Services

Through the Partners In Rehab Pelvic Floor Dysfunction program, specific external and internal techniques can help release the pain.

Physical therapy treatments aimed at managing pelvic pain and incontinence include:

• biofeedback
• muscle re-education
• ultrasound
• myofascial release/craniosacral therapy

The mysofascial system surrounds all organs, muscles, nerves and blood vessels in the body. Trauma, inflammation, surgical scars, and childbirth may tighten this myofascial system and thus put pressure on pain-sensitive structures. This restriction can cause or contribute to many health issues.

Besides general techniques, there are specific ones helpful in decreasing restrictions in the pelvic and abdominal areas, thus freeing compressed tissue and restoring more normal function.

Treatment Facilities

• Partners In Rehab West Seneca
• Partners In Rehab Sisters Hospital in the Piver Center (Buffalo)

Becoming a Patient

Patients are most often referred for therapy by their physician. If you suspect that you have a pelvic floor disorder or incontinence, please see your primary care physician, OB/GYN, urologist, or pain management physician. Ask that he or she refer you to one of the facilities listed above for an evaluation. If you do not have a physician, click here to search our physician directory.

More Information

For more information, please contact Kathy Lindeman Aebischer at kaebisch@chsbuffalo.org.