Pelvic Floor Health

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Melina Pulos, DPT, PCES

PhysioPoint is now offering pelvic floor physical therapy as we welcome Melina Pulos, DPT, PCES to our staff. 

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Millions of people suffer from one or more pelvic floor disorders, including things like:

  • Difficulty tolerating a pelvic examination
  • Low back pain during pregnancy
  • Weakened core strength or discomfort following delivery
  • Chronic constipation
  • Frequent urination 
  • Loss of bowel/bladder control when coughing, laughing, or sneezing
  • Discomfort during or following sexual intimacy

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is made up of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues surrounding all the organs in the pelvis. These muscles act as the support structure keeping everything in place within your body. Normally, these muscles tighten and relax like any other muscle in your body. Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when your body keeps tightening these muscles instead of relaxing them like it should.

Who is affected by pelvic floor disorders?

Pelvic floor dysfunction affects people across all stages of life. Women are particularly vulnerable during and after childbirth, as vaginal delivery can cause nerve and muscle damage, while prevalence increases significantly with age, affecting nearly half of women over 80. In men, it is most commonly linked to prostate cancer treatment or surgery.

What causes pelvic floor disorders?

Pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, trauma, chronic constipation, chronic coughing, and aging can cause pelvic floor muscle tension, incoordination, and weakness. Pelvic floor physiotherapy helps recondition the pelvic floor muscles to regain normal functions.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a treatment to help address pain, weakness, and dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. The type of therapy prescribed will depend upon the symptoms you’re experiencing. For example, some symptoms will require relaxing and lengthening of the muscles, while others may require strengthening the muscles.

What symptoms and conditions does pelvic floor physical therapy treat?

If you have any of these symptoms, pelvic floor therapy might be right for you.

Urinary problems, such as:

  • Urinary incontinence
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency
  • Painful urination
  • Difficulty stopping or starting urinating
  • Difficulty fully emptying the bladder

Bowl problems:

  • Fecal incontinence 
  • Straining or experiencing pain during bowel movements

Unexplained pain

  • Pelvic pain 
  • Pain in the genital area 
  • Rectal pain 
  • Pain during intercourse

When should I seek medical help?

If you have been suffering in silence, you don’t have to spend another day in pain! It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent symptoms from worsening.

Where can I get treatment that is personalized and discreet?

PhysioPoint is thrilled to welcome Melina Pulos, DPT, PCES to our team! Melina is a pelvic floor physical therapist dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care in a comfortable and supportive environment. She will work closely with each client to develop treatment plans that reduce pain, improve quality of life, and help them return to the activities they love, all while avoiding more costly and invasive procedures.

What will happen at my first appointment?

At your initial examination, your therapist will assess your pelvic floor musculature; however, an assessment of your posture, breathing, abdominal musculature, as well as spine will also be performed. This is just the physical examination, prior to ever taking measurements or placing hands on you, your therapist will conduct a thorough interview with you to understand the whole picture and identify any and all dysfunctions and contributing factors. 

Will therapy be hands-on?

Most physical therapy to treat pelvic floor dysfunction and pain is hands-on, which includes both internal and external therapy. Because internal physical therapy may be difficult for some people, therapists are sensitive to the needs of every individual and will not begin with internal physical therapy until you are ready.

What kinds of physical therapy techniques might be used?

Physical therapy techniques include:

  • Nerve release 
  • Trigger point therapy 
  • Myofascial release, also called deep tissue massage
  • Skin rolling 
  • Joint mobilization 
  • Internal techniques may include using a specialized instrument or a finger inside the vagina or rectum to provide therapy

Depending on your condition, your therapist may also suggest Kegel exercises to strengthen your muscles. Dr. Nielsen will help train you on the proper way to do Kegels.

What are you waiting for?

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Make an appointment today and stop living in pain!