Men’s Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy & Treatment
Men who are experiencing pelvic pain, urinary or bowel issues, and some erectile problems should consider seeking pelvic floor physical therapy. Pelvic area pain, involuntary bladder leaks preceding urination, and “stress incontinence” (leaks during physical exertion, coughing, laughing, etc.) can all be effectively treated with pelvic floor physical therapy.
Men who have been diagnosed with “chronic prostatitis” in the absence of a positive bacterial culture, pelvic floor physical therapy would be an excellent next step for you. Too often men are treated with rounds of antibiotics which prove to be ineffective as the underlying reason for their pain with urination or pain with erection/ ejaculation may be related to tight abdominal and pelvic floor musculature.
The pelvic floor is made up of a hammock of muscles attaching from your pubic bone in the front to the tailbone in the back. The pelvic floor muscles serve many functions in addition to sexual performance. They also control bowel and bladder function and support the internal organs.
Physical therapy of the pelvic muscles is very similar to the treatment of other musculoskeletal problems. Like all muscles, pelvic floor muscles are susceptible to tightness, which can contribute to pain – as well as bladder, bowel and sexual problems. Pelvic floor muscles can also be weak or simply have poor coordination to perform the job they were designed to do. The aim of pelvic floor physical therapy is to loosen up the tight muscles by addressing trigger points and myofascial tension if this is determined to be a source of the dysfunction. Then the patient and therapist work together to improve muscle strength and regain neuromuscular control of the pelvic muscles.