How Physical Therapy Helps Pelvic Health
January 2025 Newsletter
Are you living with symptoms you find difficult to talk about? Perhaps you’re struggling with incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or endometriosis. Maybe you’ve developed a pelvic organ prolapse.
While these conditions can sound scary, they’re very treatable. Unfortunately, they often stem from issues related to pelvic health, and many people will live with pain and discomfort due to being uncomfortable sharing their concerns.
At Empower Physical Therapy, we want to change that. Our physical therapists frequently help people manage their pelvic health, offering private rooms and a judgment-free zone where you can share your symptoms and get the treatment you need.
Today, we want to explore pelvic health: what it is, how it can impact your life, and how our occupational therapy services can help improve it.
Still have questions? Our friendly staff is happy to answer them. We’re just a phone call away!
What Do We Mean by Pelvic Health?
Your pelvic floor is a sling of muscles at the base of your core. It acts as a “hammock” for your pelvic organs, including your bladder, bowels, prostate (in men), and sexual organs (in women). When the pelvic floor is healthy, it supports those organs and helps them function properly. But when it becomes impaired – such as being weak or overly restricted – you can experience several different symptoms.
Anyone can experience issues with their pelvic floor, although the exact concerns can vary somewhat with gender.
Here are some of the common complaints we help treat:
Urinary Incontinence
Anyone can develop urinary incontinence, although it is more common in women. This can include stress incontinence (leaking when laughing or coughing), urge incontinence (having an overwhelming need to go), or a combination.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can have a variety of causes, from nerve issues to gynecological conditions like endometriosis. We’ll help determine the cause and find the right treatment option for your needs.
Sexual Dysfunction
For women, sexual dysfunction can include painful intercourse or difficulty with orgasm. For men, it can include erectile dysfunction or painful ejaculation. But either way, pelvic floor impairment is often the culprit.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
This occurs when the pelvic organs slip out of place. It can affect both men and women and develops due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Pregnancy / Postpartum Discomfort
The changes that occur in your body during pregnancy can lead to pelvic and lower back pain, urinary incontinence, and other musculoskeletal concerns.
What Treatment Options Do We Offer?
Treatment for pelvic health concerns varies depending on the cause. That’s why our team will spend your first session taking your health history, reviewing your symptoms, and running several screens so we can provide you with the interventions you need.
Here are some of the common treatment options we use to improve pelvic health:
Pelvic Floor Exercises
We’ll show you tailored exercises designed to stretch and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – and ensure you’re performing them correctly.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses technology to help you “see” what’s going on inside your body. This is especially true for the pelvic floor, an internal muscle that can be harder to control.
Manual Therapy
Certain hands-on pain relieving techniques, such as myofascial release, can help ease muscle tension that can contribute to pelvic pain and dysfunction.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation (sometimes called TENs) uses a mild electric pulse to improve pelvic muscle function and reduce pain.
Bladder Training
If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence (especially urge incontinence), bladder training can help you go longer between bathroom breaks.
Lifestyle Modifications
We’ll help you find lasting relief by addressing other factors that might contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, such as regular exercise, nutrition, and more.
At Empower Physical Therapy, our team of skilled pelvic floor physical therapists — Rachel, Morgan, Becca, Keanna, and Bri — are committed to helping you find relief from pelvic pain and dysfunction. With specialized expertise in treating a variety of conditions, they provide personalized care for issues such as pregnancy-related discomfort, postpartum pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, endometriosis, constipation, and more. Whether you’re managing the physical challenges of pregnancy, recovering after childbirth, or dealing with chronic pelvic pain, our therapists will work with you to create a tailored treatment plan that strengthens your pelvic floor, restores flexibility, and improves overall functionality. If pelvic pain is affecting your daily life, contact us today at Empower Physical Therapy in Anchorage & Wasilla to start your journey to recovery!
Ready to Get Started?
At Empower Physical Therapy, we understand how challenging it can be to live with pelvic floor dysfunction. Worse, many people will suffer for years due to the shame surrounding common symptoms related to poor pelvic floor health.
We want you to know there’s nothing to be ashamed of – and our physical therapists have heard it all! Take control of your health and well-being, starting with your pelvic health. Call our clinic today to set up your initial consultation!
Physical Therapy Triumphs
Real 5-Star Reviews
“I have been coming here since June of 2024 and have been working with Morgan. She has been such a great help these last 6 months in helping me progress in my pelvic health!”
— Cheyenne H.
“I was living my life in constant non-stop pain. It might sound dramatic, but their very dedicated therapist changed the quality of my life. I’m recommending them to EVERYONE.”
— Meghan W.
“The pelvic therapy that Rachel and team at Empower helped me immensely restore function and pelvic health after a difficult surgery. I very much appreciate Rachel and team.”
— Kay M.
Have a physical therapy success story you want to share?
We would love to hear from you. And you may just be the inspiration someone needs to seek help.
What Sort of Exercises Help the Pelvic Floor?
Your pelvic floor is a muscle like any other, which means exercise will help keep it in top shape! However, you may be wondering what exercises are most beneficial.
Here are some of our favorites to include in treatment plans, but do make sure to check with us before trying anything new:
Kegels
If you’re like most people, when you hear “pelvic floor exercises,” you probably think of Kegels, a technique for contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles. While beneficial, they can be tricky to perform correctly, and the contracting sensation is different for men and women.
Fortunately, our PTs are on the case. We’ll walk you through the process and may use biofeedback technology to ensure you’re working the correct muscle.
Squats
It’s true – the mighty squat works more than your glutes and hamstrings! To perform a bodyweight squat, stand hip-width apart, then bend your knees as if you’re going to sit in a chair (you can use a chair – sitting down and getting up without using your hands emulates a squat movement).
Glute Bridges
Glute bridges are another great exercise for targeting the core, glute, and pelvic floor muscles. They involve lying on your back with your knees bent, slowly lifting your hips up from the floor, and pressing down on your sides with your arms.
Get Your Own Unique Exercise Plan Today!
The best way to stretch and strengthen your pelvic floor is to make an appointment at Empower Physical Therapy. We’ll provide you with a personalized program designed to suit your needs. Call us today to get started!
Meet Our Team
Briana Leatham
PT, DPT
Jacob Pollard
PT, DPT, Founder
Justin Handy
PT, DPT, Partner
Wes Mennear
PT, DPT, Partner
Rachel Stokes
PT, DPT, CLT
Morgan Borkovec
PT, DPT
Renae Plummer
Lead New Patient Coordinator & Benefits Specialist
Hayley Lincoln
Anchorage Office Manager
Sarah Swanson
Lead Wasilla Front Office Coordinator
Joanne Schultz
New Patient Coordinator & Benefits Specialist
Haley Soares
Director of Administration
Exercise of the Month
Single Leg Bridges
Start by lying on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and arms at your sides with palms down. Extend one leg straight, engage the abdominals, and slowly lift your hips towards the ceiling. Aim to keep your hips level and hold them at the top before lowering them back to the floor. Repeat as instructed by your provider. 3 sets; 10 reps; hold.
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2-3 teaspoons taco seasoning
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 3 cups red enchilada sauce
- 3-4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1-2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Tortilla chips, for serving
- Yogurt, shredded cheddar, avocado, mango salsa, and green onion, for serving
This simple Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup is the perfect bowl of wholesome, filling soup to warm up to on the coldest of days. Just throw everything into the crockpot in the morning, no searing chicken or anything, and come home to a delicious dinner at night.
Instructions:
In the bowl of your crockpot, layer the onion, jalapeños, and garlic. Add the chicken, cumin, taco seasoning, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Pour over the enchilada sauce and 3 cups of broth.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Shred the chicken using two forks. Stir in the rice, cilantro, and lime juice.
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla chips. Then finish as desired with a dollop of yogurt, cheese, green onions, mango, and cilantro. Enjoy!
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crockpot-spicy-chicken-tortilla-soup
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
