KIMA’s Pelvic Floor treatment not only focuses on the Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction, we also assess and treat the biomechanics of the thorax, lower back, hips, and pelvis as they relate to the Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction.
THE KIMA PELVIC FLOOR PROGRAM IS UNIQUE
- Assessment of the entire body as it relates to the pelvic floor dysfunction
- Internal & External Biofeedback
- Real Time Ultrasound of Pelvic Floor muscles
- Internal Electrical Stimulation for pelvic floor muscle & nerve reeducation
- Bladder, bowel, & food/liquid diaries for symptoms & behavioral retraining to help regain control
- Vaginal Dilator instruction & home program
DIAGNOSES WE TREAT
- Bowel Urgency, Frequency, & Incontinence
- Chronic Constipation
- Coccydynia
- Dyspareunia
- Endometriosis
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Mild Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Non-Bacterial Prostatitis
- Osteitis Pubis
- Painful Bladder Syndrome
- Post-Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence
- Pregnancy Low Back Pain
- Urinary Urgency, Frequency, & Incontinence
- Vulvodynia
Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction (PFMD) is the most common name used among healthcare providers to cover a wide range of diagnoses and syndromes involving the pelvic floor muscles. Examples of these diagnoses and syndromes are Vaginismus, Vulvodynia, Non-Bacterial Prostatitis, Levator Ani Syndrome, Urinary Incontinence, Post-Partum Pelvic Pain and Chronic Constipation.
The pelvic floor muscles comprise the base of the pelvic bowl and are critical for bowel and bladder continence. They also contribute to sexual climax as well as lumbo-pelvic stability along with the other core muscles. People with PFMD may have non-ideal bowel or bladder habits, constipation, leakage, pain with intercourse or ejaculation, low back or hip pain. It is important that a medical work-up rule out any issues that may not be related to the joints and muscles. If your physical therapist (PT) has any concerns s/he will ask that you consult your medical doctor, or if you need a referral, your PT can make a recommendation.
PFMD can present in many different ways. As specialists in motor control and movement, PT’s often categorize PFMD by whether the muscles are hypertonic (over-worked), hypotonic (under-used), or poorly coordinated in their timing or in relation to synergistic muscles. Your PT will evaluate the muscles to determine what your primary type of PFMD is.
Evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) can be accomplished through manual palpation, Real Time Ultrasound Imaging (sonogram picture of the muscle used as a biofeedback tool), and by surface electromyography (sEMG) which reads the electrical activity created by the muscle. Physical therapists are interested in the pelvic floor muscle resting tone, timing, magnitude, and quality of contraction.
KIMA’s therapists Lisa Sottung, PT, CFMT, OCS and Justine Picciano, PT, DPT specialize in treating PFMD.