Signs You Might Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (and How to Know for Sure)
Pelvic floor dysfunction might not be a topic people talk about often, but it can seriously impact your life. From pain to discomfort to leaks, your pelvic floor health is more important than you might think. So, how can you tell if pelvic floor therapy is for you? Let’s go over the key signs and when it’s time to get help.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
First things first—what exactly is the pelvic floor? Think of it as a hammock of muscles stretching from the front to the back of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, uterus (if you’re a woman), prostate (if you’re a man), and rectum. They help with bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and even core stability.
This picture depicts the pelvic floor anatomy for both men and women.
Thank you Central Health Physiotherapy for the picture!
When these muscles are too weak, too tight, or out of balance, it can lead to all sorts of issues. That’s where pelvic floor therapy comes in—it’s all about retraining and strengthening these muscles to work properly.
1. Frequent or Urgent Bathroom Trips
If you’re always running to the bathroom or struggling with leaks when you sneeze, laugh, or exercise, it could be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction. Constant urgency or nighttime bathroom trips are also worth noting. These issues might be tied to overactive bladder or stress incontinence, both of which pelvic therapy can help improve.
2. Pelvic Pain That Won’t Quit
Pelvic pain isn’t normal, and it can show up in unexpected ways—discomfort in your lower belly, tailbone, back, or even your legs. Whether it’s occasional or constant, pelvic floor dysfunction could be the culprit. If pain is interfering with your daily life or intimacy, pelvic therapy can help release tight muscles and get you feeling like yourself again.
3. Leaking Happens (But It Shouldn’t)
Whether it’s urine or stool, leakage isn’t something you just have to live with, despite what you may have been told in the past. Pelvic floor therapy can strengthen weak muscles and help you regain control. If you’re wearing pads to feel secure or avoiding certain activities because of leaks, it’s time to look into pelvic floor physical therapy.
4. Trouble Going to the Bathroom
Straining, constipation, or that “not done” feeling after a bowel movement might mean your pelvic floor isn’t coordinating properly. If it feels like your muscles are working against you, therapy can help them relax and do their job more effectively.
5. Painful Sex
If sex is painful, you’re not alone—and it’s not something you have to accept. Pain during or after intercourse is more common than you might think for both men and women. And no, the answer is not to “just relax” with a glass of wine. There’s so much more to pain with intimacy, and it’s definitely not about needing to be intoxicated to get through it. Pelvic floor therapy can address the underlying causes by easing tight muscles, improving blood flow, and restoring proper function. With the right care, intimacy can become comfortable and enjoyable again.
6. Nagging Back or Hip Pain
Did you know your pelvic floor is closely connected to your core? If you’ve been dealing with stubborn lower back or hip pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments, your pelvic floor might be part of the problem.
As you can see here, the obturator internus and piriformis muscles are located close to the pelvic floor muscles. However, these muscles are hip movers—not directly involved in urinary, bowel, or sexual support like the pelvic floor muscles (levator ani). That said, tightness or dysfunction in these hip muscles can sometimes contribute to pelvic floor issues or even be the hidden culprit behind chronic hip or low back pain that hasn’t improved with traditional physical therapy or chiropractic care.
Thank you to the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic for the image!
7. Postpartum Recovery
Pregnancy and childbirth put a lot of stress on your pelvic floor. Whether you’re dealing with leaks, pain, or trouble getting back into your fitness routine, pelvic therapy can help rebuild strength, improve mobility, and address scars from C-sections or tears.
8. That “Heavy” Feeling
For women, a sensation of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area could mean a prolapse—when pelvic organs shift due to weak muscles. Pelvic therapy can strengthen the area and help manage or prevent symptoms.
How Do You Know for Sure?
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s worth reaching out to a pelvic floor therapist. They’ll evaluate your symptoms, check your muscle function, and guide you through exercises, manual therapy, and lifestyle tips to improve your quality of life. We’ve also created a pelvic health screening tool to help you check in with your body. It’s quick, simple, and gives you a clearer picture of where you stand on your journey to recovery.
Feel free to reach out to learn more about our practice and how we can help with your specific needs. We're here to support you every step of the way!
Bottom Line
Your pelvic floor plays a huge role in how you feel every day. If something’s off—whether it’s pain, leaks, or discomfort—you don’t have to live with it. Pelvic floor therapy can make a world of difference, no matter your age or stage of life. Remember: Help is out there. You deserve to feel good in your body!
We’re conveniently located on Main Street in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, providing care for both men and women experiencing a variety of pelvic floor symptoms. Learn more about us here!
Ready to take the next step? We’d love to meet you! Book a discovery call or schedule your first session today.