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42 St Mark Rd, Taylors, SC
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(864) 534-1780
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office@histherapy.net
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Pelvic Floor Therapy For Men

Pelvic Floor Therapy Is For Men Too!

Pelvic floor physical therapy was, historically, prescribed for women who, after a few pregnancies, tend to leak urine.

But men can leak, too, especially after surgery for prostate cancer. Men can also suffer from chronic pelvic pain. Physical therapy specific to the pelvic floor muscles can provide relief.

Two of the main symptoms that men would seek out pelvic floor physical therapy are incontinence (inability to control urination) and pelvic pain.

Incontinence typically stems from problems with a man’s prostate gland. If he has an enlarged prostate (common condition as men age) the prostate can pinch the urethra. Then the bladder has to work harder to push urine out when it needs to empty, the bladder muscles thicken and become overactive. The result: leaking urine.

Men who have had surgery for prostate cancer will most likely have incontinence, at least temporarily, after their surgery.  Men who receive radiation therapy for prostate cancer may also experience incontinence.

Chronic, ongoing pelvic pain can come from the bladder, rectum or prostate. Pain tends to make muscles tighten up, like a constant cramp, and this becomes an uncomfortable cycle: pain leads to muscle tension, which causes more pain.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have questions, please contact our office for more information and/or  to schedule your pelvic floor assessment today!

Have a blessed day
His Therapy
864-534-1780
office@histherapy.net

Pelvic Floor Therapy and Where to Go for Help

Are You Dealing with PELVIC FLOOR Pain And Don’t Know Who To Call? CALL US! HIS THERAPY

We specialize in pelvic floor therapy for MEN, WOMAN and CHILDREN.

Pelvic floor therapy is a unique specialty of Physical Therapy which re-trains and strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor and core musculature. Pelvic floor therapists will work with those who suffer from all sorts of pelvic floor problems including urinary incontinence, frequency and urgency, as well as constipation and other bowel problems, pelvic pain with intercourse, and PRE-natal and POST-natal discomforts.

Sabina Weaver, MSPT provides specialized treatments including dry needling, biofeedback, myofascial release and pelvic floor therapy to meet each individual’s needs,
Mind, Body and Spirit.

Call us for a pelvic floor assessment to get you back on track! 864-534-1780

Protect Your Pelvic Floor During Labor and Delivery

Lunch And Learn
October 24th – 12:30p – 1:30p 

Please join us for a $5.00 Lunch and Learn session with Mid-Wife, Linda Weaver,
as she explains how to protect your pelvic floor during labor and delivery.
His Therapy is hosting this event, we are located at 2 Parkway Commons Way
in Greer, SC
 
Please RSVP to 864.534.1780, so that we can hold you a spot.  Be sure to invite your friends who may benefit as well! Lunch will be provided.

Pelvic Floor Fitness Workshop

Join Sabina Weaver, MSPT, as she helps you understand more about your pelvic floor!

DATE:Thursday, November 29th
TIME: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
COST:  $5 per person
LOCATION:  Fitness with a View, 1095 Hartness Drive, Greenville, SC  29615
RSVP:  REQUIRED to, 864-420-3371

Hosted by Fitness with a View!

Pelvic Floor Information

The Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor consists of several layers of muscles that cover the bottom of the pelvic cavity. These muscles have 3 distinct roles:
To Support the pelvic organs, the bladder, uterus and colon within the pelvis.
To assist in stopping and starting the flow of urine or the passage of gas or stool.
To aid in sexual appreciation

How to Locate the Pelvic Floor Muscles
Insert 1 or 2 fingers into the vagina or place a fingertip or on into the rectal outlet. 
Contract and lift the muscle as though you were holding back gad or a bowel movement 
You should actually feel the pelvic floor move during these muscle contractions.

The Functional Stop Test
This test is used to asses the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. DO NOT do this test every time you void because it will cause urine to flow back up into your system. It should be done once a week at the most.
Procedure:
Begin a flow of urine
Attempt to completely stop the flow of urine by contracting the pelvic floor muscles. DO NOT hold your breath. DO NOT contract your abdomen, thighs or buttocks to complete the test. Try to isolate the pelvic floor muscles.
Take note of whether you can completely stop the urine stream.

If performed correctly. you have isolated the pelvic floor muscles. When performing subsequent pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), you should feel a sensation of pulling up and in much like it did during this test. 

What Makes the Pelvic Floor Muscles Weak
Childbirth
Constipation
Sustained coughing or sneezing
Heavy lifting
Obesity
Hormones associated with menopauase

How Posture Affects the Pelvic Floor
The way you carry your body all day affects the pelvic floor muscles
Some tips:
Standing: Keep your knees unlocked, buttocks and abdomen relaxed.
Sitting: Use proper support for the back. An additional cushion under the thighs keeps pressure off the pelvic floor and buttocks
Lying: Elevate the legs on a pillow or two.

Preventing Stress on the Pelvic Floor
Lifting correctly
As you get ready to lift:
Bend your knees
Gently hold in your stomach muscles
Pull your vaginal muscles up and in.
Exhales or breathe out as you lift.(DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH!)
Moving Out of a Chair:
Take  your bottom with you! Scoot to the edge of the chair.
Tighten the muscles around your vagina
Suck in your lower belly muscles.
Push off the chair using your leg and arm muscles as you breathe out.

The Pelvic Floor

What is it? 
  The pelvic floor consists of several layers of muscles that cover the bottom of the pelvic cavity.  
  These muscles have 3 distinct roles:
To support the pelvic organs, the bladder, uterus and colon within the pelvis. 
To assist in stopping and starting the flow of urine or the passage of gas or stool. 
To aid in sexual appreciation 

  How do you locate the pelvic floor muscles? 
 Insert 1 or 2 fingers into the vagina or place a fingertip on or into the rectal outlet. 

Contract and lift the muscles as though you were holding back gas or a bowel movement. 

You should actually feel the pelvic floor move during these muscle contractions. 

 
  So what makes the pelvic floor muscles weak? 
Childbirth
Constipation

Sustained coughing or sneezing 

Heavy lifting 
Obesity

Hormones associated with menopause 
  
   How does posture affect the pelvic floor?
   The way you carry your body all day affects the pelvic floor muscles. 
    Some tips: 
standing:  Keep your knees unlocked, buttocks and abdomen relaxed. 
Sitting:  Use proper support for the back. An additional cushion under the thighs keeps pressure off the pelvic floor and buttocks. 
Lying:  Elevate the legs on a pillow or two. 

 
  How do you prevent stress on the pelvic floor? 
  Lifting Correctly 
  As you get ready to lift: 
Bend your knees. 
Gently hold in your stomach muscles.

pull your vaginal muscles up and in.

Exhale or breathe out as you lift. (Don’t hold your breath!) 
  Moving out of a chair 
Take your bottom with you! 
Scoot to the edge of the chair. 
Tighten the muscles around your vagina. 
Suck in your lower belly muscles. 
Push off the chair using your leg and arm muscles as you breathe out.

Pelvic Pain

The pelvis is the area of the body below the abdomen or belly. There are many different organs and structures in the pelvis, including blood vessels, nerves, reproductive structures, bladder and urinary structures, and the bowel and rectum.There are many different causes of pain in the pelvis. In this blog we will attempt to describe possible causes of pelvic pain in men and women. We also look at the treatment options and when to see a doctor. CausesConstipation, endometriosis, fibroids, and STIs can cause pelvic pain.There are many causes of pelvic pain, including: 1. Constipation Constipation can cause pelvic pain, especially if it affects the lower colon. This type of pain tends to go away once a person has a bowel movement. 2. Other intestinal problems A variety of other intestinal conditions can cause pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis. These include: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Ulcerative colitis Divericulitis 3. Endometriosis Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can bleed during a person’s menstrual cycle, as well as stick to other organs, causing pain and other symptoms. The location of the pain depends on where the tissue implants. While some people experience symptoms just during menstruation, others have pain at other times during their cycle. 4. Fibroids Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths in the uterus. They can cause pain throughout the pelvis and lower back. Fibroids can also cause rectal or bladder pressure and the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom more often. 5. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) PID is an infection that occurs in the female reproductive structures. It is usually due to a sexually transmitted disease.   PID causes pelvic or low back pain, menstrual period changes, and unusual vaginal discharge. 6. Ovulation pain Ovulation pain or “mittelschmerz,” is slight to moderate discomfort during the middle part of a menstrual cycle. Ovulation pain can last for a few minutes or up to a few days. The pain may feel like a cramp or be sharp and sudden. It is not indicative of any underlying problem. 7. Scar tissue or adhesions Previous infections or surgical procedures can cause the formation of scar tissue or adhesions in the pelvis. This type of scar tissue can cause chronic pelvic pain. 8. Adenomyosis Adenomyosis is when endometrial tissue grows deep into the uterine muscle. Women with this condition tend to have very heavy periods with severe pelvic pain. 9. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Most STIs do not cause any symptoms, but a few can cause pelvic cramping or pain. These include chylmadia and gonorrhea. Without treatment, some STIs can lead to PID, which can also cause pelvic pain. 10. Menstrual cramps Menstrual cramps can cause pelvic pain.Menstrual cramps occur in the lower part of the pelvis and tend to start just before a person’s period and may continue for a few days. Particularly painful cramps could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as endometriosis or adenomyosis, so a person may wish to speak to a doctor about testing. 11. Ectopic pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening event that requires immediate medical care. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants into the pelvis or abdomen outside of the uterus.  In most cases, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tubes, but it can happen anywhere in the abdomen or pelvis. Pain and cramping occur as it grows, pressing on nearby organs or nerves. 12. Pregnancy loss A pregnancy loss can also cause cramping or pelvic pain. Though some cramping in early pregnancy is normal as the fetus grows, people should report severe or long-lasting pain to a doctor. 13. Appendicitis The appendix is located in the lower abdomen and can cause pelvic or low back pain if it becomes inflamed and presses against the colon. 14. Hernia A hernia is an opening where the internal organs can pass through. If the hernia occurs in a muscle in the lower pelvis, it can lead to pelvic pain. Other symptoms may include a visible bulge at the location of the pain. 15. Muscle spasms in the pelvic floor The pelvis is made up of several muscles that support the bladder, reproductive structures, and bowel. Like other muscles, the pelvic floor muscles can spasm, causing pain and discomfort. 16. Prostate problems A man’s prostate sits low in the pelvis. Inflammation or infection of the prostate can cause pelvic pain.   A growth on the prostate, whether benign or cancerous, may also cause pelvic pain or discomfort. 17. Urinary tract infection (UTI) The typical symptoms of a UTI are burning pain during urination and more frequent urges to urinate. Some people also present with pelvic pain or cramping, especially for severe or long-lasting infections. 18. Interstitial cystitis Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder problem that causes pain in the lower pelvis, especially when delaying urination. People with interstitial cystitis usually experience frequent and urgent needs to go to the bathroom to urinate. 19. Kidney stones Stones formed in the kidney usually begin to make their way out of the body through the ureters and bladder, which can cause pain in the lower pelvis. This pain can be severe. 20. Ovarian mass A growth on the ovary can cause pelvic pain especially if it is pressing on the local nerves or nearby organs. Possible masses include an ovarian cysts benign ovarian tumor or ovarian cancer. Managing pelvic pain Consult a doctor or pelvic floor therapists if pelvic pain is severe. It is possible to manage the pain and discomfort once a person knows what is causing it. If a person is not sure of the cause or the pain is severe or does not improve, it is best to see a doctor or consult a pelvic floor therapists.   In many cases, simple home remedies can help relieve some of the pain. Home remedies to get relief include: taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen placing a heating pad or placing ice on the pelvis doing light and gentle exercise or stretching, best to be taught by a pelvic floor therapist  resting with the legs elevated, which promotes blood flow to the pelvis While pelvic pain is a widespread problem, people should report it to a doctor, particularly if it does not respond to home remedies or is happening regularly. A person should seek medical help immediately if the pain is severe or they experience nausea or vomiting, fever, or loss of consciousness. It is best to contact a doctor or a specialists like a pelvic floor therapists, with any questions or concerns about new or chronic pelvic pain.

How posture affects the pelvic floor

The way you carry your body all day affects the pelvic floor muscles. 
Some tips: 
Standing:  Keep your knees unlocked, buttocks and abdomen relaxed. 
Sitting: Use proper support for the back.  An additional cushion under the thighs keeps pressure off the pelvic floor and buttocks. 
Lying:  Elevate the legs on a pillow or two. 

Preventing stress on the pelvic floor
Lifting correctly
As you get ready to lift: 
Bend your knees
Gently hold in your stomach muscles
Exhale or breathe out as you lift (Don’t hold your breath!) 

Moving out of a chair
Take your bottom with you! 
Scoot to the edge of the chair 
Tighten the muscles around your vagina
Suck in your lower belly muscles
Push off the chair using your leg and arm muscles as you breathe out 

Do you know what causes the pelvic floor muscles to become weak?

Childbirth 
         This is the major, but not only, factor that stretches and damages your perineal muscles.  If                   strength is not resorted in these muscles after delivery, they will remain stretched like an old               hammock, and continue weakening as you resume your normal activities.  Future pregnancies             will further weaken these muscles. 
Constipation 
sustained coughing or sneezing 
Heavy lifting 
Obesity 
Hormones associated with menopause 

The good new is that we can help you! Call us today to schedule an appointment with us.