Why Every Woman Should Consider a Pelvic Floor Check-Up

 For far too long, conversations around pelvic floor health have been shrouded in silence and stigma. Many women in Grande Prairie and beyond suffer in silence with issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, or feelings of heaviness, wrongly assuming these are "normal" parts of aging, childbirth, or even just being a woman. Pelvic floor physiotherapy Grande Prairie  At Junction Point Physical Therapy, we believe that every woman, regardless of age or life stage, should consider a proactive pelvic floor check-up. It's a vital step towards understanding, protecting, and optimizing a crucial part of your body.

Support: It acts as a supportive sling for your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, and rectum), holding them in place against gravity and internal pressures.

Continence: It forms a sphincter around the urethra and anus, allowing you to control bladder and bowel function.

Sexual Function: It plays a significant role in sexual sensation and pleasure.

Core Stability: It forms the very base of your deep core, working in conjunction with your deep abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and back muscles to provide stability for your spine and pelvis during movement.

When the pelvic floor muscles are not functioning optimally—whether they are too weak, too tight, uncoordinated, or damaged—it can lead to a surprising array of issues that significantly impact a woman's quality of life.

Reasons Why Every Woman Benefits from a Pelvic Floor Check-Up:

Post-Childbirth Assessment (Vaginal or C-Section): Pregnancy and childbirth, regardless of delivery method, place immense stress on the pelvic floor. A check-up can assess for:

Diastasis Recti: Separation of the abdominal muscles.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP): When pelvic organs drop from their normal position.

Perineal Tears or Episiotomy Scars: Assessment and treatment to improve healing and reduce pain.

Muscle Weakness or Overactivity: Ensuring proper function for optimal recovery.

Addressing Incontinence (Urinary or Fecal): Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, jump, or exercise is common but not normal. It signifies a pelvic floor dysfunction that can almost always be improved or resolved with targeted therapy.

Vaginismus: Painful muscle spasms with penetration.

Dyspareunia: Pain during intercourse.

Endometriosis or Fibromyalgia related pain: While not primary causes, pelvic floor dysfunction often co-exists and contributes to these conditions.

Persistent pain after childbirth or surgery.

Before Returning to Exercise (Especially High-Impact): Many women jump back into running or high-intensity workouts too soon postpartum or with an undiagnosed pelvic floor weakness, exacerbating issues. A check-up ensures your pelvic floor is ready for the load.

Perimenopause and Menopause: Hormonal changes during these stages can affect collagen and muscle elasticity, potentially leading to increased risk of prolapse and incontinence. Proactive assessment can help mitigate these effects.

Unexplained Back, Hip, or Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain: Given the pelvic floor's role in core stability, dysfunction here can contribute to pain in the lower back, hips, or SI joints that doesn't respond to traditional treatments.

What to Expect at Junction Point Physical Therapy in Grande Prairie:

A pelvic floor check-up at Junction Point Physical Therapy is a professional, respectful, and confidential experience. Our specially trained pelvic floor physiotherapists will:

Perform an internal vaginal and/or rectal examination (with your consent) to assess muscle strength, tone, coordination, sensation, and any signs of prolapse or scar tissue. This is a crucial step for accurate diagnosis.

Provide clear explanations of any findings.

Develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include exercises, manual therapy, education, and lifestyle advice.

Don't let embarrassment or misinformation prevent you from seeking help. If you're a woman in Grande Prairie looking to understand, protect, or resolve issues related to your pelvic floor, contact Junction Point Physical Therapy today for a proactive check-up. It's an investment in your future comfort and freedom.

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