Pelvic floor rehabilitation

Pelvic floor rehabilitation offers a wide range of treatment options for both women and men with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain and other pelvic disorders who are seeking alternative treatments to medication and surgical techniques.

Pelvic health physical therapists help restore urinary, bowel, and sexual function that involves the pelvic floor muscles, surrounding muscles, soft tissue, viscera, and joints.

Edward-Elmhurst Health's pelvic health physical therapists are specially trained in evaluating and treating women’s pelvic floor conditions. Your therapist will work with your medical team in helping you regain control of your life.

Current evidence supports pelvic health physical therapy as an important component in treating urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, pelvic pain, and pelvic organ prolapse. Research shows pelvic health physical therapy is a successful conservative treatment option that does not involve surgery, invasive procedures, and medications. In some cases, outcomes are best achieved with a multi-disciplinary approach that may also include diet, medications, trigger point injections, and surgical procedures.

Common pelvic floor disorders

Common pelvic floor disorders treated in physical therapy include:

  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Urge urinary incontinence
  • Mixed urinary incontinence (both stress and urge)
  • Urinary frequency /dysuria (requires negative urinalysis)
  • Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis) 
  • Dyspareunia 
  • Pelvic pain (myalgia/myositis, vaginismus, dyspareunia, anal spasm) 
  • Endometriosis
  • Chronic constipation (dyssynergic defecation, slow transit time, abdominal pain) 
  • Coccydynia 
  • Pelvic organ prolapse (pre/post-op) (cystocele, rectocele, ureterocele, vaginal vault prolapse) 
  • Pre/Post prostectomy
  • Pre/Post Natal
  • Lumbar spine/sacroiliac dysfunction
  • Hip dysfunction
  • Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain (pubic symphysis separation, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sacroiliac dysfunction) 
  • Postpartum musculoskeletal and pelvic floor dysfunction (diastasis recti, perineal laceration, pelvic organ prolapse, coccydynia, incontinence)

Treatment process

Your first visit includes an orthopedic evaluation, internal vaginal and/or rectal assessment to determine your pelvic floor strength, control, coordination, and flexibility. Your pelvic health physical therapist will perform a thorough review with you in order to determine a treatment plan that is best orientated towards your rehabilitation goals. In addition, your therapist will address surrounding joints, soft tissue, and muscle complaints of the hip and spine that are commonly associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.

A complete evaluation, both internal and external, is needed to confirm the type of disorder, severity and cause. Typically, patients undergo treatment 1-2 times per week for 6-12 weeks. Frequency and length of treatment may vary depending on diagnosis and other factors.

Treatments may include:

  • Internal and external manual therapy techniques to increase soft tissue, visceral, and joint mobility
  • Biofeedback to assist in learning how to appropriately control and coordinate pelvic floor muscles
  • Therapeutic exercise to restore pelvic floor functional control, muscle strength, and soft tissue mobility of surrounding involved joints
  • Bladder/bowel/diet diary and education to reduce urgency, frequency, leakage and pelvic pain
  • Education to help coordinate healthy bladder, bowel, and pelvic habits within your daily activities
  • Modalities to assist with pain, muscle strength, and urgency

The resources of Edward-Elmhurst Health enable us to offer Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation across the system. To make an appointment, call the location most convenient for you:

Elmhurst
Center for Health, Elmhurst Hospital campus
1200 S. York St.
(331) 221-9696

Edward-Elmhurst Health Center
429 N. York St.
(331) 221-5590

Naperville
Edward Rehabilitation
1331 W. 75th St., Suite 102
(630) 527-3375

South Naperville
Edward Rehabilitation
1695 Forgue Dr. 
(630) 646-6410

North Plainfield
Edward Outpatient Center
24600 W. 127th St.
Bldg A, 2nd Floor
(815) 731-9050

Woodridge
Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness Center – Seven Bridges
6600 S. Route 53
(630) 646-7900

Learn more about the Women's Center for Pelvic Medicine