Can Osteopathy help with pelvic floor dysfunction?

What is the pelvic floor?

There are multiple muscular layers to the pelvic floor. Each layer has specific responsibilities, but ultimately they coordinate with each other as well as with the entire body for all-around support. If dysfunctional, they can be OVERACTIVE, UNDERACTIVE or LACK COORINDATION (motor control issue).

Layer 1 • Bulbocavernosus • Ischiocavernosus • Superficial Transverse Perineal • External Anal Sphincter

Layer 2 • Deep Transverse Perineal • Sphincter Urethrovaginalis • Compressor Urethra • External Urethral Sphincter

Layer 3 • Levator Ani Muscle Group • Coccygeus • Pelvic Wall • Obturator Internus • Piriformis

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

• Urinary Incontinence (bladder leakage - light to heavy, or Urgency)

• Faecal Incontinence

• Pain with intercourse

• Vaginal heaviness

• Pelvic girdle pain

• Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain

• Coccyx (tail-bone) pain

• Pubic symphysis pain

• Pudendal neuralgia/ Pudendal nerve myalgia

• Perineal/episiotomy scar tissue pain and tension

• Prolapse

• Constipation

• Vulvodynia - chronic pain or discomfort around the vulva

• Vaginismus (fear of vaginal penetration)

• Endometriosis – the neuro-musculoskeletal pain associated with endometriosis

• Menopause - the neuro-musculoskeletal pain associated with menopause

When can an internal pelvic floor exam be done?

• Postnatal/postpartyn check up (after 6 weeks)

• Bladder leakage or Incontinence

• Voiding concerns

• Sexual dysfunction and pain

• Pelvic pain

• Prolapse

• To get pelvic floor strength and endurance measures for an appropriate pelvic floor exercise program

Empower Osteopathy welcomes patients from all nearby locations ranging from Robina, Burleigh, Mudgeeraba, Elanora, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Coolangatta and the rest of the Gold Coast to Tweed, Murwillumbah, Casuarina, Cabarita, Pottsville, and the rest of the northern NSW rivers region.