Pelvic floor dysfunction can be a source of discomfort, pain, and frustration for many people. Whether it’s due to pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, chronic pain, or other factors, pelvic floor issues are more common than most people realize. Fortunately, physical therapy can offer significant relief, and one of the most effective and holistic approaches within pelvic floor therapy is manual treatment.
At Auria Pelvic Health, we understand that the pelvic floor is a complex and sensitive area of the body, requiring specialized care. Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to address dysfunction in the pelvic region, improve mobility, and reduce pain. It’s an integral part of the healing process and can help patients regain function, improve quality of life, and achieve better overall pelvic health.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of manual treatment in pelvic floor therapy, its benefits, and how it can support your recovery from a variety of pelvic floor issues.
What Is Manual Treatment in Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Manual therapy in the context of pelvic floor therapy refers to hands-on, therapeutic techniques applied by a trained physical therapist to assess and treat the pelvic region.
This may include a variety of techniques such as:
Myofascial release – A technique used to release tension in the fascia (the connective tissue around muscles) and promote tissue mobility.
Soft tissue mobilization – A form of massage that targets tight or restricted muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue to improve flexibility and reduce pain.
Trigger point release – The therapist applies focused pressure to specific points in the pelvic floor muscles to release tight, painful knots (also called trigger points).
Joint mobilizations – Techniques to improve the mobility of joints in the pelvis and lower back that may be contributing to pelvic pain or dysfunction.
Scar tissue mobilization – Hands-on techniques to address scar tissue from surgeries, episiotomies, or trauma, which can restrict movement and cause pain.
Internal pelvic floor therapy – A specialized technique in which a therapist uses their hands to assess and treat the pelvic floor muscles internally. This is often done vaginally or rectally to address muscle tightness, trigger points, or imbalances within the pelvic floor itself.
Manual therapy is highly individualized, and each session is tailored to the patient’s specific needs and goals. It's often combined with other forms of treatment, such as exercise, posture correction, and education, to optimize healing and recovery.
Why Is Manual Treatment Important for Pelvic Floor Therapy?
The pelvic floor is responsible for many vital functions, including controlling bladder and bowel function, supporting reproductive organs, and facilitating sexual health. Dysfunction in the pelvic floor can result in a wide range of symptoms, such as pelvic pain, incontinence, constipation, prolapse, painful intercourse, and more.
Who Can Benefit from Manual Therapy in Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Manual therapy can benefit a wide range of individuals dealing with pelvic floor issues, including:
Postpartum women (particularly those recovering from C-sections, vaginal deliveries, or episiotomies)
Women with pelvic pain (including conditions like vaginismus or endometriosis)
Individuals with urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence
People recovering from pelvic surgeries (hysterectomy, prostate surgery, etc.)
Individuals with pelvic organ prolapse
People with sexual dysfunction (pain during intercourse, low libido, etc.)
Individuals with chronic constipation or difficulty voiding
Those experiencing pelvic pain after trauma (accidents, sexual trauma, etc.)
Here’s why manual treatment is such an important part of pelvic floor rehabilitation:
1. Releasing Muscle Tension and Tightness
One of the most common issues in pelvic floor dysfunction is muscle tightness or overactivity. Conditions such as pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or urinary urgency may stem from pelvic floor muscles that are too tight or tense. Manual techniques such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and soft tissue mobilization can help relax these muscles, restore balance, and reduce pain.
Manual treatment addresses specific areas of tension in the pelvic region, allowing the muscles to relax and improve their ability to function properly. This is particularly important for individuals who suffer from chronic pelvic pain or conditions like vaginismus (painful muscle spasms) or dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
2. Improving Blood Flow and Tissue Healing
Manual therapy techniques help increase blood circulation in the pelvic floor and surrounding tissues, which is crucial for healing and overall tissue health. Enhanced blood flow can improve tissue oxygenation, promote faster healing of damaged muscles or ligaments, and reduce inflammation.
For women recovering from childbirth or pelvic surgery, such as a C-section or hysterectomy, manual techniques can help break up adhesions or scar tissue that might form in the pelvic region. This not only reduces discomfort but also promotes more efficient tissue healing and reduces the risk of long-term complications.
3. Addressing Pelvic Scar Tissue
After childbirth, surgery, or trauma, scar tissue can develop in the pelvic area, causing pain, tightness, and restricted movement. Scar tissue from a C-section, episiotomy, or pelvic surgery can limit the normal mobility of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to pelvic discomfort, incontinence, or painful intercourse.
Manual therapy techniques, particularly scar tissue mobilization, can help break down adhesions and soften scar tissue, improving the flexibility and function of the tissues involved. This can help restore optimal muscle function, reduce pain, and prevent long-term complications caused by scar tissue buildup.
4. Correcting Pelvic Misalignment and Dysfunction
Pelvic floor issues often occur in conjunction with postural imbalances or pelvic misalignment. Misalignment of the pelvis, spine, or hips can cause undue strain on the pelvic floor muscles and lead to pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, or other symptoms.
Manual therapy can help restore proper alignment and balance by addressing restrictions in the joints, fascia, and muscles of the pelvic region and lower back. Techniques such as joint mobilizations and soft tissue mobilization can reduce pelvic pain and improve mobility, allowing the pelvic floor muscles to function more effectively.
5. Facilitating Relaxation and Reducing Pain
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be a source of significant discomfort, and pain is often a barrier to healing. Manual therapy plays an important role in reducing pain through hands-on techniques that address underlying muscle tightness, inflammation, and restricted movement. By promoting relaxation in the pelvic floor muscles, manual treatment can provide immediate pain relief and facilitate a more comfortable healing process.
For individuals with chronic pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, or postpartum pain, manual therapy provides a gentle, non-invasive way to reduce discomfort and improve quality of life.
6. Improving Pelvic Floor Function and Coordination
The pelvic floor muscles need to be able to contract and relax in a coordinated manner to support normal bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles—whether it's weakness, overactivity, or poor coordination—can lead to issues like urinary incontinence, constipation, or pelvic organ prolapse.
Manual therapy can help improve the coordination of the pelvic floor muscles by addressing any areas of dysfunction or muscle imbalances. In combination with exercises designed to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor, manual treatment helps restore normal function and support the proper biomechanics of the pelvic region.
Manual treatment is a crucial component of pelvic floor therapy and plays a central role in helping individuals recover from pelvic floor dysfunction. At Auria Pelvic Health, our skilled team of therapists utilize a variety of manual therapy techniques to address pelvic pain, improve function, and promote healing. Whether you are recovering from childbirth, surgery, or living with chronic pelvic pain, manual therapy can provide immediate relief and long-term benefits for your pelvic health.
If you're experiencing pelvic floor issues or want to learn more about how manual therapy can help you, we invite you to reach out to us at Auria Pelvic Health. Together, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan to address your unique needs and help you achieve optimal pelvic wellness.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, click below!
Pelvic health is crucial to your overall well-being, and with the right care, manual therapy can play a transformative role in your healing journey. Let us help you find relief and reclaim your life!
Article Written By Dr. Sasha Speer, DPT
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