Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy for Men: Breaking Stigma & Creating Awareness
What Are The Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy for Men?
Pelvic floor therapy is not just for women; men also have pelvic floors and can experience dysfunction. While it often receives attention for women, particularly those who are pregnant, this represents only a small portion of those served. Pelvic floor health is crucial for everyone, including men.
Benefits of pelvic floor therapy for men can include:
Improved bladder control, urgency, or complete emptying
Decrease in constipation or improved bowel control
Recovery from surgery, such as prostatectomy
Pelvic pain relief
Improved sexual health and wellness
Improved quality of life
What Is The Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a vital group of muscles, nerves, and connective tissues at the base of the pelvis, essential for various bodily functions. It works in conjunction with the body, providing stability for the back, hips, and pelvic bones, and supports pelvic organs like the bladder and rectum. The pelvic floor muscles contract to hold urine and bowels, facilitating movement and fluid circulation. Proper functioning of these muscles, through contraction and relaxation, also enhances sexual health and performance.
Common Reasons Men May Need Pelvic Floor Therapy
Pelvic floor therapy aids men with issues affecting daily activities and quality of life. Common reasons men may need pelvic floor therapy may include:
Urinary incontinence (leakage)
Chronic pelvic pain
Pre- and post-surgical recovery (i.e., prostatectomy, urethroplasty)
Erectile dysfunction
Low back pain
Constipation or bowel issues
Urinary incontinence involves involuntary urinary leakage either with or without an urge to urinate, during a rise of intra-abdominal pressure (cough, sneeze, laugh), change of positioning, or can occur during times such as sleeping or even climax (i.e., climacturia). There can be many causes of urinary leakage for men, which may include prostate surgery, weakness or incoordination of pelvic floor muscles, or pelvic trauma or injury. Pelvic floor therapy can identify the reason behind the leakage and help men to restore control of the bladder to get back to living confident lives.
Chronic pelvic pain in men may stem from pelvic floor dysfunction, muscle hypertonicity, injuries, or nerve issues. Pelvic floor therapy helps alleviate pain and enhance mobility, enabling men to resume meaningful activities like playing with children or working comfortably. Chronic pelvic pain includes pain that has been ongoing in the pelvic area for greater than 6 months. Men experiencing acute pelvic pain with a more recent onset can also benefit from pelvic floor therapy.
Surgical preparation and recovery assists men in getting ready for surgeries like prostatectomy, focusing on physical and mental readiness regarding urinary and sexual function. Pelvic floor therapists enhance pelvic strength and mobility, addressing issues to facilitate a smoother post-operative experience. If someone finds us for support after a surgery and has not been able to or did not know to do any prep work, we are still here to help! We will meet that person where they are to support their journey and recovery. Scar tissue release is often a major part of the post-operative experience under the scar of a pelvic floor therapist to prevent or eliminate resultant pelvic floor issues.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) significantly affects men and can be a reflection of not only cardiovascular health but pelvic floor health. Pelvic therapy is recommended for treating ED related to muscle weakness, tension, or poor circulation. Adequate blood flow is crucial for sexual health in men, which can be impeded by pelvic floor issues, such as increased tension, post-surgical scar tissue, and other causes. ED often relates to other pelvic floor dysfunctions like urinary or bowel issues. Pelvic therapy includes exercises and manual therapies to strengthen pelvic muscles, enhance blood flow, alleviate pain, and support sexual health. The focus is on client and partner education to ensure optimal care and achievement of sexual health goals.
Low back pain, tailbone pain, sciatica, and sacroiliac joint (SI joint) pain are common among those with pelvic floor issues. Pelvic floor therapy addresses contributors like increased tension, body mechanics, and contributory movement patterns. The goal is to unravel these issues and create a plan for long-term relief from discomfort.
Constipation, bowel issues, or dyssynergia are common reasons men and women alike may benefit from pelvic floor therapy as it is common for pelvic muscle incoordination, tension, or weakness to be a contributor to bowel health concerns. Pelvic floor therapy targets bowel issues by examining lifestyle, body positioning, pelvic floor coordination, strength, tension, and related musculoskeletal factors. While fiber and water always have their place, pelvic floor therapists take you to the next level by combining lifestyle modifications with movement and manual treatment to support bowel health goals.
What Does A Pelvic Floor Therapy Evaluation Involve?
Pelvic floor therapy starts with a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of concerns, evaluating pelvic floor strength and tone, and assessing whole-body movement patterns. This includes discussing current issues, reviewing medical history, and conducting hands-on assessments, both external and internal, to create a personalized treatment plan for symptom resolution.
What Is an Internal Pelvic Floor Assessment and Why Would I Need It?
Internal assessments for men are performed intra-rectally to most optimally palpate pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor therapist will insert one digit into the anorectal canal to evaluate the surrounding musculature. They may ask you to contract and release the muscles as they assess their strength, tone, and coordination. They will combine these findings with your history to determine how your pelvic floor is playing a role in your concerns and what steps need to be taken next.
Bloom Pelvic Therapy's pelvic floor therapists are experienced and well-versed in addressing pelvic health concerns - they are working with clients experiencing similar pelvic-related concerns and using their specialized skillset all day every day. They are well equipped to make sure assessment and treatment are as comfortable as possible to ensure appropriate strategies are utilized for best outcomes. While there is always the option to forgo internal assessments and treatment and emphasize external observations, external manual strategies, and exercise alternatively, an internal assessment is best practice for gathering the most precise information of the client's baseline muscle function to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them.
What Will Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatment Sessions Look Like?
Pelvic floor therapy interventions should not be one-size-fits-all and are best determined by gathering adequate information during the initial assessment. Treatment sessions will vary based on the person and their concerns and will include different aspects of manual therapies (internal and external) for myofascial release, scar tissue release, exercise, mobility or stretching, lifestyle modifications, as well as other modalities and strategies.
How to Find a Qualified Pelvic Floor Therapist
To find a qualified pelvic floor therapist, ensure they are an occupational therapist or physical therapist specializing in pelvic health, particularly for male clients. Contact clinics to inquire about their experience with male pelvic health issues and check their website for relevant concerns. Remember, you are not alone in facing pelvic health challenges; support is available with Bloom Pelvic Therapy both in-person in Tampa Bay and virtually. Join us as we reduce stigma and enhance quality of life through pelvic floor therapy.