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Beverly Hills · 435 N. Bedford Dr., Suite 308Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pmMost PPO insurance accepted
Allen KamravaMD · MBA · FACS · FASCRS

Lifestyle

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

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Back to work
N/A
Success rate
70-90%
Recurrence
Variable

What it is

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) is a specialized form of therapy aimed at re-training and strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor to improve their function. This therapy is a cornerstone of non-surgical management for a variety of pelvic floor disorders, including fecal incontinence and obstructed defecation. A key component of PFPT is biofeedback, a technique that uses visual or auditory feedback from electronic monitoring devices to help patients gain awareness and control over their pelvic floor muscles. By visualizing muscle contractions and relaxations in real-time, patients can learn to properly coordinate these muscles to improve continence and facilitate defecation.

Am I a candidate?

Who are Good Candidates for PFPT?

PFPT with biofeedback is a first-line treatment for a variety of functional anorectal disorders. Ideal candidates include motivated patients with:

  • Fecal Incontinence: Particularly for patients with weak but intact sphincter muscles, PFPT can improve sphincter strength and coordination, reducing incontinence episodes.
  • Dyssynergic Defecation (Obstructed Defecation): For patients who paradoxically contract or fail to relax their pelvic floor muscles during attempted defecation, biofeedback is the treatment of choice to re-establish a normal pattern of evacuation.
  • Levator Ani Syndrome: This therapy can help patients learn to relax the chronically tense pelvic floor muscles that cause pain.
  • Postoperative Rehabilitation: Patients who have undergone sphincteroplasty or other pelvic floor surgeries can benefit from PFPT to optimize their functional results.

Recovery

What Does PFPT Involve?

A typical PFPT program involves an initial evaluation followed by a series of therapy sessions, usually once or twice a week for several weeks. During biofeedback sessions, sensors are placed either on the skin around the anus or via a small probe in the anal canal to measure muscle activity. The patient watches a monitor that displays this activity as they are coached through various exercises to either strengthen (for incontinence) or relax (for obstructed defecation) the pelvic floor muscles. The program also includes education on diet, bowel habits, and proper toileting posture, as well as a home exercise program to reinforce the skills learned during therapy.

Risks & considerations

What are the Risks?

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is an extremely safe, non-invasive treatment with virtually no risks or side effects. The therapy is performed by a trained physical therapist and is tailored to the individual patient's needs and abilities. There is no risk of physical injury, and the therapy does not involve any medications or invasive procedures. The primary consideration is that it requires a significant commitment from the patient in terms of time and effort to attend sessions and perform home exercises.

Sources

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