Treatment for Pelvic Floor Issues

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a condition in which the muscles that line the pelvis aren’t uncoordinated. Since so many essential bodily functions rely on the intricate interplay of pelvic floor muscles, this dysfunction can cause a variety of issues with regular elimination, such as bladder or bowel incontinence. Pelvic floor problems can also lead to sexual dysfunction. It can also cause pelvic floor muscle pain that feels like constant cramping, in addition to pain that can travel to other areas within the pelvis, abdomen, and lower back.


Why You Need Treatment for Pelvic Floor Issues

In an era when adult briefs are readily available and losing social stigma, incontinence might not seem like such a difficult problem. While it is manageable, you need to have it treated due to the impact bowel or bladder incontinence can have on your health.

If you’ve experienced incontinence, you probably know how your skin can feel if you don’t thoroughly cleanse and dry your private area after each episode. Even if you’re diligent in this task, you’re still not immune from incontinence-related skin issues. Urine and stool can be in contact with your skin for hours overnight while you’re asleep or unable to reach the restroom due to professional commitments.

The skin is the body’s most extensive and first immunity defense. When skin is soiled, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Although they are soft to the touch, incontinence briefs and pads still cause skin irritation that can turn into microscopic tears or fairly significant wounds. These issues happen to both women and men.

Sexual dysfunction is an area that many people still struggle to talk about, even though it has a profound impact on relationships. In addition to fun, sexual expression powerfully unites couples for many reasons. Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and difficulty achieving orgasm in women can lead to tremendous social isolation, lack of intimacy, and a reduced sense of self-esteem. Mental health’s crucial role in holistic wellness is another reason you must treat pelvic floor issues.


Treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction with Shockwave Therapy

At our practice, we use the Dolorclast to treat pelvic floor pain. This machine is manufactured by a Swiss company and is the only radial shockwave device that is FDA-approved for pain relief.

Pelvic pain frequently accompanies pelvic floor issues, and the increased pelvic tension that accompanies such pain makes dysfunction worse. Shockwave therapy targets the muscles involved in your pelvic floor issues. As a result, pain relief is often accompanied by some relief of the incontinence or sexual issues worsened by sore pelvic muscles.

Shockwave treatment is safe and involves placing the treatment device on your painful pelvic muscles. This device emits sound waves to stimulate healing at a cellular level. Benefits such as reduced pain, increased circulation, and stem cell activation can help bring relief to painful pelvic muscles.


Treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction with Dry Needling

In addition to shockwave therapy, our practice is pleased to offer dry needling. Although it uses the same microneedles, this therapy is not the same as the acupuncture offered by our licensed acupuncturist.

When you seek dry needling as pelvic floor treatment from one of our chiropractors, we begin with a thorough functional assessment of your pelvic muscles. More specifically, we search for trigger points in the muscles. In addition to causing pain, these areas can make it difficult for the pelvic muscles to move.

Dry needles are placed directly into the trigger points we’ve discovered to work the muscles. The theory behind dry needling is similar to that behind stretching or massage because it causes the muscles to become fatigued. Since a fatigued muscle can’t remain tense, this therapy promotes pelvic floor muscle relaxation, providing a degree of tension and pain relief.

Safe, Confidential Pelvic Floor Chiropractic

Pelvic sling surgeries and ED or incontinence medications have a variety of side effects. They can also require significant changes to your routine, including downtime. Pelvic floor therapy at our practice gives you results without much risk. If you’d like to learn more about how chiropractic care can treat your pelvic floor dysfunction, please email Dr. Artichoker, complete our appointment request form, or give us a call at (303) 455-2225.