Men’s Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Did you know that 1 out of 5 Americans (over 63 million) suffers from some type of pelvic floor dysfunction? And that the majority of cases go untreated? Muscle tension and/or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to many issues. Some of the issues that are linked to pelvic floor dysfunction in men include:

• Pelvic, bladder, rectal, or
testicular pain
• Abdominal or groin pain
• Urinary leaking or retention
• Urinary urgency, frequency, or hesitancy
• Constipation or other GI dysfunction
• Hip, sacrum, or tailbone pain
• Sexual dysfunction

Pelvic Floor Muscle Tension

The muscles in the pelvis often become too tense or over-active, which is typically the cause of symptoms in men. Overly tight muscles can irritate or compress the bladder, urethra, and bowel, lead to decreased blood flow, restrict or compress nerves, and/or cause painful trigger points.

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Tension Include:

• Urinary urgency/frequency
• Urinary retention
• Difficulty starting stream or weak stream
• Burning sensation in the bladder, urethra, or with urination
• Pain in the testicles, groin, rectum,
or tailbone
• Pain with ejaculation or other sexual dysfunction
• Constipation or loose stools
• Tailbone or sacrum/low back/hip pain

What Causes Pelvic Floor Tension?

Many adults have excess pelvic muscle tension. Potential causes include:

• Stress/anxiety/’Type A’ personality can cause regular clenching of pelvic muscles
• High impact sport or activity
• ‘Pain in the neighborhood’ from low back, hip, or abdominal pain
• Surgeries and scar tissue
• Weakness in other muscles causing over-compensation

Pelvic Floor Weakness

Weakness in the pelvic muscles can also occur in men, typically as a result of pelvic surgeries or chronic constipation. Symptoms include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Involuntary leaking of urine or feces

For men undergoing prostate surgery, more information can be found here.

Your doctor will determine the underlying causes of your symptoms and design a program to reduce or eliminate them.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

A trained pelvic floor physical therapist can evaluate your pelvic floor muscles and identify issues with excess muscle tension, weakness, or challenges with  coordination.

You will be taught exercises & techniques to improve your coordination and to either strengthen or release your muscles. Also, you will also be taught strategies to improve bladder, bowel, and sexual functioning.

Biofeedback can be used to strengthen the ‘mind-body’ connection and improve your ability to strengthen or release your pelvic muscles. In addition, internal and external manual therapy may be used to stretch and release pelvic muscles and reduce trigger points, although this is never required.

What To Expect from Grace Physical Therapy

Our Doctors of Physical Therapy understand that many men feel embarrassed to discuss these issues, and we will do our best to put you at ease – we have heard it all before!

We aim to help you understand the underlying causes of your symptoms, answer all your questions, and explain what you can do to improve or resolve your issues.

Note: It is never required to have an internal assessment or treatment. This is something you can discuss with your doctor at your first visit.

If you are looking for an expert in pelvic health in North Carolina, Dr. Erika Grace and her team are ready to help you. Our services are offered in a caring and professional environment exclusively dedicated to the health of all those affected by pelvic floor dysfunction. If you want to get in contact for an assessment please call us today.