What Can I Do to Maintain Good Pelvic Floor Health

Maintaining good pelvic floor health in the long term involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits and practices.

As physical therapists, we do not just look at our patient for a 6-week period of time but want to make sure we can make long term positive impact.

Here are some steps you can take to promote and sustain pelvic floor health:

1. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Regularly perform pelvic floor exercises to strengthen and maintain the tone of your pelvic floor muscles. Consult a pelvic floor physical therapist to ensure you’re doing them correctly.
2. Stay Active: Engage in regular, low-impact physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, to support overall muscle tone and circulation.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Strive to maintain a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Excess weight can put additional pressure on the pelvic floor.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water to maintain healthy bladder and bowel function. Proper hydration can help prevent constipation and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
5. Fiber-Rich Diet: Consume a diet rich in fiber to prevent constipation, which can strain the pelvic floor muscles. Include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes in your meals.
6. Proper Lifting Technique: When lifting heavy objects, use proper lifting techniques to avoid excessive strain on the pelvic floor.
7. Good Bowel Habits: Establish regular bowel habits to avoid straining during bowel movements.
8. Pelvic Floor Awareness: Pay attention to your pelvic floor muscles and their sensations. Be mindful of tension and relaxation, especially during activities that may affect them.
9. Strengthen Core Muscles: Engage in exercises that strengthen the core muscles, including the abdominal and back muscles. A strong core can provide additional support for the pelvic floor.
10. Manage Stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises, as high stress levels can contribute to pelvic floor tension.
11. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Consider working with a pelvic floor physical therapist for personalized guidance, exercises, and techniques to maintain and improve pelvic floor health.

Conclusion

Remember that maintaining good pelvic floor health is a lifelong commitment.

Adopting these practices can help prevent issues and promote overall pelvic health as you age.

Treatment options for pelvic floor therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy is valuable for both men and women who experience pelvic floor issues, such as incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. It can significantly improve quality of life and help individuals regain control and confidence in their pelvic health.

At PhysioFit of NC, we have the expert team in pelvic floor physical therapy to help you to the fullest.

We provide a comprehensive treatment approach through our Women’s Health Program.  This includes manual therapy and exercises to improve conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today so we can help you!