Have you ever wondered why issues like back pain, hip discomfort, or even trouble with posture and breathing just don’t seem to go away—no matter what you try? The answer might lie in a part of your body you rarely think about: the pelvic floor.
This powerful group of muscles is responsible for far more than bladder control. It supports your core, stabilizes your body, assists with breathing, and even impacts sexual health. When these muscles aren’t functioning properly, the effects can ripple through nearly every aspect of daily life.
Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin physical therapists help patients of all ages and stages of life find relief, rebuild strength, and return to the activities they love. In the blog post below, our pelvic floor physical therapy team, Mariah Cloutier, PT, DPT, Martha Kiel, PT, DPT, and Kristen Regan, PT, DPT, ATC, overview the pelvic floor, common pelvic floor conditions, and the use of physical therapy to treat these conditions.
What Is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments located in the pelvis. Though small, these muscles play a major role in your overall health and function, including:
- Support: Helping hold internal organs such as the bladder and uterus in place.
- Core Stability: Connecting the trunk and lower body, allowing for stability and optimal movement.
- Bowel & Bladder Function: Regulating healthy function through muscular sphincters that prevent leakage.
- Posture & Breathing: Working with the diaphragm to manage pressure, support posture, and assist with breathing. These deep muscles also play a key role in sexual health and function.
Common Conditions Linked to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur at any stage of life and often overlaps with orthopedic issues. At OHOW, our pelvic floor physical therapists commonly treat patients experiencing:
- Low back pain
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Hip or groin pain
- Abdominal weakness
- Pain with intercourse
If traditional treatments haven’t resolved your symptoms, pelvic floor therapy may be an option.
Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings rapid changes that can place added strain on the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor physical therapy may help with:
- Core weakness and instability
- SI joint dysfunction
- Pubic symphysis pain (pain in the front of the pelvis)
- Round ligament pain (sharp groin or abdominal pain with movement)
- Postpartum Pelvic Floor Therapy
- Pelvic floor concerns don’t always disappear after delivery. Whether you are recently postpartum or years removed from childbirth, therapy can address:
- Pelvic pain and weakness
- C-section recovery
- Diastasis Recti (DRA): abdominal muscle separation
- Urinary incontinence
- Difficulty returning to exercise
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Postural pain related to caregiving activities, including breastfeeding
Physical Therapy Patient Success Story (Example)
A 30-year-old woman came to physical therapy with ongoing hip pain after surgery for a herniated disc. While her back pain improved, her hip pain lingered. Through evaluation, her physical therapist identified dysfunction in her pelvic floor muscles. With targeted pelvic floor therapy—focusing on deep core stabilization, hip mobility, and postural coordination—she returned to her daily activities and exercise routine pain-free.
Choose OHOW for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
At OHOW, we have a team of highly trained pelvic floor physical therapists who provide personalized, evidence-based care. Our mission is excellence in treatment, patient education, and quick access to care—ensuring superior outcomes for every patient.
Ready to feel better? Contact us today to request an evaluation and start your path toward improved strength, comfort, and function. Call (414) 961-6800 or visit www.ohow.com/request-an-appointment/.