Pelvic Floor & Women's Health Physical Therapy in Walla Walla
Leaking when you laugh, pain that makes intimacy hard, a body that doesn't feel like yours after having a baby. These problems are common, and many people are told they're just part of life. They don't have to be.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits like a hammock at the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, bowel and uterus, control when you go to the bathroom, and work with your core and breathing every time you lift, run or jump. Like any muscle, they can be weak, tight, uncoordinated or injured, and like any muscle, they respond to the right training.
Conditions we treat
Bladder and bowel
Leaking with coughing, sneezing, jumping, running or lifting
Sudden, strong urges to go, or going to the bathroom too often
Constipation and straining
Pelvic pain
Pain in the pelvis, tailbone, hips or low back
Pain with intercourse or with tampon use
Pelvic heaviness or pressure, which can be a sign of prolapse
Pregnancy and postpartum
Low back, hip and pubic bone pain during pregnancy
Preparing your body for delivery
Postpartum recovery after vaginal or C-section birth, including scar care
Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
Getting back to running, lifting and sport after baby
Menopause and beyond
Bladder changes, pelvic dryness-related discomfort and prolapse symptoms
Strength and bone health as hormones change
Common doesn't mean normal
Many women leak a little when they jump on a trampoline or sneeze and assume it's just what happens after kids. It's common, but it's treatable. A Cochrane review of randomized trials found that women with stress urinary incontinence who did pelvic floor muscle training were about six times as likely to report cure or improvement as those who didn't: 74% compared with 11% (Cochrane Review, 2018).
It's more than Kegels
Kegels help some people, but they aren't the answer for everyone. Some pelvic floors are weak and need strengthening. Others are tight and overactive, and squeezing more makes things worse. Many need better coordination with breathing and the core during real movements like lifting a car seat, squatting or running. That's why we start with an assessment instead of a handout of exercises.
More Questions?
Lauren Wagner PT, DPT, Cert. DN
BEGIN YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY
Experience the difference of BYLT. Our staff will guide you through the process and answer any questions about your treatment journey.