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Mississauga

Pelvic Health

Bridge Pose

What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic health physiotherapy is the assessment, management, and treatment of conditions related to the pelvic floor and its surrounding structures, including the muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments of the low back, abdomen, pelvis, and hips.

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The pelvic floor muscles sit within the pelvis, attaching to the pubic bone, tailbone, and sitting bones, acting as a hammock to support our organs. In addition, their functions include bladder and bowel control, sexual health, circulation, and, importantly, core strength.

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We may experience pelvic, hip, low back, or abdominal symptoms if our pelvic floor muscles are underactive, or overactive. Underactivity refers to when the muscles are not contracting as efficiently as they need to be, and tend to be hypotonic (too relaxed) and weak. Overactivity occurs when muscles activate too much during an activity, or even activate at rest, which results in hypertonic (tight) muscles that over time may become weak as well, as their state of hypertonicity leads to an inability to further contract. Either state can lead to a wide range of common conditions, including urinary incontinence, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse, and low back pain. The root cause of underactive or overactive pelvic floor muscles varies greatly, and can affect women, men, and children.  

Who should see a pelvic health physiotherapist?

Women and men who have any of the following symptoms or conditions:

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  • Urinary incontinence, urgency or frequency

  • Urinary retention or incomplete emptying

  • Fecal incontinence, urgency, or frequency

  • Constipation

  • Sensation of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Burning, stinging, itching in the pelvic region

  • Chronic pelvic pain

  • Sexual pain and dysfunction

  • Dysmenorrhea: menstrual pain

  • Pre- and post-partum pelvic pain and dysfunction

  • Diastasis recti abdominis 

  • Vaginismus

  • Endometriosis

  • Post hysterectomy or pelvic surgery

  • Vulvodynia and Vestibulodynia

  • Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder

  • Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

  • Lichens sclerosis

  • Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

  • Post prostatectomy, Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) or Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

  • Low back, hip, pelvic, or sacroiliac joint pain

Physiotherapy

Children who are experiencing the following symptoms:

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  • Daytime Urinary incontinence

  • Bedwetting (Enuresis)

  • Urinary frequency or urgency

  • Under-active bladder or urinary retention

  • Constipation or stool retention

  • Fecal incontinence

  • Pain while voiding (bladder or bowels)

  • Pain in perineal or rectal region 

What do the assessment and treatment consist of?

For details specific to you, click the link below:

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Pelvic Health Conditions

Women’s Pelvic Health

Men’s Pelvic Health

Pediatric Pelvic Health

Is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy the treatment I need?

If you are unsure of whether Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy will help with your symptoms and condition, we highly encourage you to contact us for a 15 minute Free Phone Consultation. One of our specialised Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists will discuss your concerns with you, and help you determine whether this is the best course of treatment for you.

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