pelvis

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

What is pelvic floor physiotherapy? It is the field of physiotherapy that aims to strengthen and optimize the functioning of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is the group of muscles, tendons, fascia (connective tissue), and ligaments that are located at the bottom of the pelvis. Its functions include:

1) urinary and fecal continence

2) support for the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vagina, prostate, rectum)

3) sexual function

4) participation in breathing (synchronized movement with the diaphragm)

5) one of the stabilizers of the trunk and of intra-abdominal pressure (part of the core)

When there is weakness, abnormal tone, surgery, or injury that occurs in this region, it can affect one or more of its functions. Pelvic floor physiotherapy helps to address these issues through specific exercises, patient education regarding their case, and external or internal manual techniques. This domain of physiotherapy can treat various conditions:

  • incontinence

  • pelvic and genital pain

  • urinary issues

  • sexual dysfunctions

  • pelvic organ prolapse

  • post-partum

  • post-pelvic surgery

  • post-prostatectomy

Due to taboos and misconceptions surrounding the pelvic and perineal area, there are multitudes who live with problems in this important part of the body. For more information, ask a doctor or a physiotherapist.

514-963-0519

francisphysio1@gmail.com

francisphysio.com

Reference: Pain during sex? Incontinence or constipation? You might benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy – Health e-News (mcgill.ca)

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing involves the adequate contraction of the diaphragm while breathing in. Many people tend to overuse the muscles of the neck during respiration, which can lead to negative consequences:

 - pain in the neck and upper back due to excess muscle tension and stiffness in the spine and ribs
- a reduction in oxygen intake by the lungs due to the insufficient contraction of the diaphragm, which acts as a pump
- pain in the low back and the pelvic area resulting from a decrease in diaphragmatic contraction, which can contribute to a lack of muscular stabilization in the back and the pelvic region

A method for practicing diaphragmatic breathing:

- place the hands on the abdomen
- take a deep and slow breath through the nose while applying a light pressure on the abdomen with the hands to stimulate contraction of the diaphragm
- exhale slowly through the mouth

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3924606/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4183256/

For further information, you can contact me at 514-934-2334 ext 509.

The Thoracic Region: an area less often explored

When talking about back pain, upper and low back issues are commonly seen. Even though we do not often hear about pain in the thoracic region (the mid-back), it is nevertheless an area that plays a significant role in problems in other segments of the spine and even in the arms.

Considering the spine is a chain, issues that arise in the neck and in the low back can indeed come from the thoracic spine. A significant lack of mobility or faulty biomechanics in the thoracic zone can lead to pain and tension in the neck, the lumbopelvic area (the low back and the pelvis), the shoulders, and the arms. The fact that arm movements entail vertebral movement and muscle activity in the thoracic area demonstrates the link between these two parts of the body. Therefore, treatment of the neck, the low back, the shoulder, and the arm can involve the thoracic region.