Support for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Episode 122 on The Well Podcast is chock full of questions and answers regarding a topic which isn’t discussed nearly enough among women. We welcome a discussion with Dr. Vicki, a chiropractor of 20 years who specializes in pelvic floor health.
Dr. Vicki is passionate about this topic because she’s seen how the 4th trimester is easily one of the most neglected times in a woman’s life. Dr. Vicki refers to pelvic floor dysfunction (PVD) as the silent epidemic. What if we didn’t have to accept women struggling through PVD for the rest of their lives as the norm?
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction symptoms can start as a low grade nuisance but can build to a significant problem over time.
In women over 50 years old, 50% of women have symptoms.
Q: So what are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?
A: Some symptoms include:
Having to go to the bathroom frequently.
Incontinence (leaking urine when you laugh/cough/sneeze). Leaking when you jump on the trampoline.
Thinking you’ve voided and still feeling the urge to go again.
Pain with intercourse.
Q: Is pelvic floor dysfunction a problem that occurs only when a woman has had a baby vaginally?
A: No, c-section moms have a risk too, because you carry a baby for 9 months and the pressure of a baby on your pelvic floor can cause problems. Not to mention, c-section mamas undergo a major surgery which cuts a muscle connected to the pelvic floor.
Q: What is your pelvic floor?
A: The muscles (there are actually 35-40 distinct muscles) the fascia, and the tendons between the tailbone and the pubic bone.
Q: What’s the goal of pelvic floor therapy?
A: The plan is to restore balance to the pelvic floor system through education and exercises leading to self management.
Wild fact: one muscle stretches up to 250% during labor! If you had a sports injury, you would 100% do rehab to recoup function.
Q: Is prevention possible?
A: PVD therapy is contraindicated during pregnancy, but prior to pregnancy you can absolutely stabilize your pelvic floor in order to prepare for better outcomes postnatally.
Q: What is the best time postnatally to get evaluated and begin therapy?
A: Ideally about 6 -8 weeks, around the time you return to your OBGYN for your post natal visit, is the first talk about therapy whether you have symptoms or not. There’s nothing wrong with getting an evaluation. Usually within 6-8 visits you should be 80% improved and be able to self manage with various exercises.
Q: Is there a point in a woman’s life when it’s too late to seek help?
A: There is always a time for improvement. As we age and experience a hormonal shift, there’s a greater risk to causing PFD due to hormones and their effect on collagen.
There is more to this discussion but we hope you enjoyed this Pelvic Floor introduction. To hear more, head to episode 122 of The Well Podcast. Check out Dr. Vicki’s social media if you have questions!
Want to connect with Dr. Vicki?
Facebook: ChiroQueen Instagram: _chiroqueen_
If you like this blog post/the podcast, would you kindly head to social media and share the blog/podcast with your mama friends!
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