Chiropractic Care for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a very common health problem. It can affect both men and women, but it’s often associated with vaginal childbirth. Although it’s rarely serious, it can drastically impact a person’s quality of life. This is especially true when it affects their bathroom habits and sex life.

Chiropractic care is one of the most effective options for treating chiropractic dysfunction. It’s safe and effective and can be combined with other treatments available for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. 

Living with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when someone cannot relax their pelvic floor (the group of muscles found at the base of the pelvis) to urinate or have a bowel movement. A lack of coordination in the muscles allows these natural functions to occur. It can also affect other aspects of life, including intimacy. 

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include:

• Urinary issues, including an urge to urinate or painful urination
• Constipation
• Bowel strains
• Lower back pain
• Pelvic pain
• Genital pain
• Rectum pain
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse for women
• Pelvic region or rectum pressure
• Pelvic muscle spasms
• Urine or stool leakage

In addition to dealing with the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, the condition can cause a variety of complications, including:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Problems with intimacy that are linked to painful sex
• Interstitial cystitis (inflammation of the bladder wall)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Digestive issues
• Bloating

Ways to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor

There are several things you can do to strengthen the pelvic floor, including:

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises are designed to activate and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. They include Kegel exercises, heel slides, bridges, marches/toe taps, and crouches.

Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises increase the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles include the muscles that support the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum. You perform them by contracting and relaxing the muscles that control urine flow. You can do these exercises anytime and anywhere.  

Aerobic Exercise

There are certain aerobic exercises you’ll want to avoid if you’re experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction. These include running, jumping, and other high-impact exercises.

Instead, choose gentle, low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming to maintain cardiovascular health without exacerbating a pelvic floor problem.

Yoga

Yoga is excellent for helping all of the muscles of your body relax. Two popular poses, Happy Baby Pose and Child’s Pose, are especially advantageous for improving pelvic floor health.

Chiropractic Adjustments 

Chiropractic adjustments are a safe and all-natural way to treat pelvic floor dysfunction. It’s often used in conjunction with the exercises listed above. Your chiropractor can even help you learn how to do the exercises properly.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Managing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Chiropractic treatment helps with pelvic floor dysfunction because treatments positively affect neurological control of sacral and lumbar nerves. Both play a role in the health and function of the pelvic floor.

Chiropractic techniques stimulate sensors within the joints and nerves that control the muscles in your pelvic floor. Chiropractors use a drug-free, safe, and effective approach to enhance the overall health of the body, including the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Chiropractors treat pelvic floor dysfunction using:

• Hands-on adjustments of the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints
• Ligament release techniques
• Soft tissue manipulation

Additionally, chiropractors can offer instructions for exercises people can do on their own that will strengthen their pelvic floor muscles and their abdominal core muscles. They also provide education about how posture affects health and the pelvic floor and help you learn how to practice proper posture.

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.