As more research about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is developed, it is important to consider the effects of the disease on the pelvic floor and associated body systems and functions. The implications are both direct, i.e. affecting the cells of the bladder and small intestine, and indirect by disrupting function in the pulmonary system, in...
In the United States, a standard medical event like a knee replacement warrants 1-2 nights in a hospital and a rehab timeline of 3-6 weeks with a course of frequent physical therapy in that timeline. In an even more common medical event, giving birth, what do women receive? One 6 week follow up appointment. Postpartum...
Dry needling is a common physical therapy treatment intervention in our Boulder Physical Therapy practice for patients with musculoskeletal pain. It involves the insertion of a thin monofilament needle into a muscle. Dry needling has been proven effective in reducing pain, changing the status of trigger points, improving muscular blood flow, and has been suggested...
“Kegel’s” have become a household word in our country. You’ll hear the term talked about between friends and recommended by many medical providers. While it is a win that a pelvic health topic has become so popular, it is now time for the Kegel to get out of the limelight. There is a lot to...
Women who participate in high-impact activities may be at higher risk for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) such as urinary incontinence than women who participate in low-impact activities. Following childbirth, 30% of mothers report urinary incontinence and 10% report anal incontinence. Women are all too often advised to avoid activities such as high intensity interval training...
The speciality area of physical therapy, pelvic health, has really increased in popularity and demand in the last decade and with that, the area has grown and evolved in what it treats and how. Pelvic health physical therapy is so much more than just Kegel’s! Along with the evolution of pelvic health physical therapy, comes...
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the general population, accounting for about 40% of GI problems seen by doctors and therapists. FGID are disorders of gut-brain interaction, meaning the normal motility of the intestines or the sensitivity of the nerves that innervate the intestines are impaired. However, upon imaging, there...
The brain, bladder, and pelvic floor are a system that need to work in harmony together. An issue with any of those regions in the system will affect the others regions and can lead to bladder dysfunction. Dysfunction may appear as: leaking before you make it to the toilet (urge incontinence), leaking during activity or...
One of the most frequently asked questions we get as pelvic floor specialists from our female patients is “is it normal that I have pain with sex?” While it is common, it is not and does not have to be accepted as “normal.” According to statistics from the American College of Gynecology (ACOG), 75% of...
If you deal with pelvic floor tension, you or a physical therapist has likely discovered tight adductors as well. Due to shared fascial connections and synergies between the muscle groups, the pelvic floor and adductors are closely related in regards to tension held within them. Pelvic floor tension can affect adductor tension and vice versa,...
