Let's talk about something that doesn't get enough spotlight in women's health discussions—pelvic floor wellness. Surprisingly, a staggering 1 in 3 women will face pelvic floor disorders in their lifetime. This statistic isn't just a number; it's a call to action for women to pay closer attention to this fundamental aspect of their health. In this article we’ll explore the essentials of pelvic floor health, shedding light on its significance and the innovative treatments making waves in women's wellness.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is the foundation of your pelvic region, acting much like a supportive hammock at the base of your pelvis. It includes a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that work together to hold up all your pelvic organs including your bladder, uterus and rectum. These muscles are unsung heroes, managing critical tasks like your ability to hold or release urine and faeces, achieve an orgasm, and maintain vaginal tightness.
What Causes a Weak Pelvic Floor in Women?
A weak pelvic floor in women can originate for a variety of reasons, ranging from significant life events and daily physical stressors to underlying health conditions. Below are some of the primary contributors:
- Pregnancy and Childbirth: The miracle of life can stretch and challenge the pelvic floor muscles, sometimes leaving them a bit worse for wear.
- Aging: While we may grow wiser and more refined with age, sadly our muscle tone doesn't follow suit. Natural ageing causes all our muscles to slowly weaken, including those that make up the pelvic floor.
- Surgical Interventions: Certain medical procedures, such as hysterectomies, can have a lasting impact on pelvic strength and structure.
- Excessive Straining: Whether it's heavy lifting or high-impact sports, too much strain can negatively impact our pelvic floor muscles.
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Obesity: Carrying extra weight increases pressure on the pelvic floor, contributing to its weakening over time.
What Problems Can a Weak Pelvic Floor Lead To?
A compromised pelvic floor can lead to various health issues, such as urinary leaks, difficulty controlling bowel movements, and even troubles in the bedroom. These conditions not only affect physical health but can also have profound impacts on emotional well-being and quality of life. It's important to check-in with your doctor if you experience any of the below issues or symptoms.
- Urinary Incontinence: Difficulty controlling urine, leading to leaks when coughing, sneezing, or exercising.
- Faecal Incontinence: Challenges in controlling bowel movements.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Organs like the bladder or uterus may droop into or out of the vaginal canal due to weakened support.
- Sexual Dysfunction: Reduced sensation, difficulty achieving orgasm, and decreased sexual satisfaction.
- Lower Back Pain: A lack of support from the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to instability and pain in the lower back.
- Pelvic Pain: Discomfort in the pelvic region not associated with menstrual cycles or other conditions.
Strategies to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
By actively engaging in targeted pelvic floor exercises and making lifestyle adjustments, you can enhance the strength, functionality, and overall health of your pelvic floor. Some effective strategies include:
- Targeted Exercises & Physiotherapy: Regular Kegel exercises, focusing on tightening and relaxing pelvic floor muscles, can greatly enhance their strength, helping with incontinence and organ support. A physiotherapist can tailor exercises and treatments to individual needs, ensuring correct technique and progress.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight can put additional pressure on the pelvic floor. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through balanced diet and exercise can reduce this pressure.
- Avoid Heavy Lifting: When possible, avoiding or learning proper techniques for heavy lifting can prevent unnecessary strain on the pelvic floor.
- Mindful Exercise Choices: Opting for low-impact exercises or modifying high-impact activities to reduce stress on the pelvic floor can be beneficial.
- Bladder Training: For those with urinary incontinence, bladder training involves learning to delay urination for increasing periods to train the bladder to hold more urine.
Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS): A Revolutionary Treatment Option
While traditional exercises and lifestyle adjustments are fundamental for pelvic floor wellness, modern technology introduces an even more powerful solution - Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS). At Total Body Clinics, we specialise in Pelvic Floor Treatments using a cutting-edge FMS device called the TESLAChair.
The TESLAChair works by stimulating deep, powerful muscle contractions in the pelvic floor, surpassing what's possible with conventional exercise. These intensified contractions quickly enhance muscle strength and tone, offering significant improvements in urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and overall pelvic wellness.
TESLAChair Benefits for Pelvic Floor Strengthening:
- Painless: Despite its ability to induce strong muscle contractions, treatment with the TESLAChair is a remarkably pain-free experience. During sessions, patients usually feel nothing more than gentle, rhythmic pulsations in their pelvic region.
- No Direct Skin Contact: Patients remain fully clothed during the treatment, ensuring privacy and comfort without the need for direct physical contact.
- Fast and Effective: Sessions are short, typically lasting 30 minutes, making it a convenient option that fits easily into busy schedules.
- Clinically Proven Results: The TESLAChair is supported by clinical evidence showcasing its capacity to fortify pelvic floor muscles. Research and clinical evaluations have confirmed its success in boosting muscle strength, resilience, and overall functionality of the pelvic floor through focused magnetic stimulation.
If you’re struggling with uncomfortable symptoms caused by weakness in your pelvic floor, help is available. We encourage you to book a complimentary consultation with one of our qualified experts to assess your circumstance.
The Bottom Line
Your pelvic floor might not always be top of mind, but its impact on health is undeniable. By staying informed about the factors that affect pelvic strength and embracing both conventional and innovative treatments, you can take proactive steps toward better pelvic health. Whether it's through daily exercises or exploring new therapies, the path to a stronger pelvic floor and improved well-being is more accessible than ever!