Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Approximately 25 million Americans experience some form of incontinence in their lifetimes. Incontinence can affect men and women of any age, but it is not a normal part of life. The LIFT program can help. The Beaumont Leakage and Incontinence Facts and Treatment (LIFT) program is a specialized physical therapy program that is designed to decrease and potentially eliminate the causes of incontinence. The LIFT program offers confidence, convenience and normalcy to men and women who are dealing with bowel or bladder dysfunction.

Confidence

Beaumont’s highly-trained pelvic floor physical therapists are experienced and licensed by the state of Michigan. We are active in national and international research programs and medical associations. We use the latest research and evidence-based interventions to address each patient’s individual concerns and symptoms.

Convenience

LIFT is offered at several Beaumont outpatient sites throughout Southeast Michigan. We offer flexible, convenient appointment times with therapists who specialize in the treatment of men and women with incontinence.

Normalcy

Bowel and/or bladder incontinence is not ever a normal part of life. Our therapists are trained to evaluate you to determine the reason for the incontinence and develop an individualized program to address all contributing factors.

How leakage happens

Pelvic floor muscle weakness is a main contributor to urinary and bowel incontinence. Many different factors may cause muscle weakness. You can also have weakness because of muscle tightness. If the pelvic floor is over tightened, it cannot work correctly to stop the flow of urine or bowel movements. These factors may become apparent in several different instances, for example:

• After surgery (prostatectomy, hysterectomy or other pelvic surgeries)
  
• After childbirth
  
• During inactivity or with excessive activity
  
• During/after menopause
  

The Beaumont LIFT program may be able to help if you experience:

• Stress urinary incontinence – leaking with coughing, laughing, sneezing or activity 
  
• Frequency – going to the bathroom more than every two to four hours
  
• Urgency – “got-to-go” feeling
  
• Urge incontinence – leaking with a strong urge
  
• Bowel incontinence – leaking feces
  
• Nocturia – getting up more than twice a night to go to the bathroom
  
• Post-surgical incontinence – prostatectomy, hysterectomy or any abdominal or pelvic surgery
  
• Prolapse – feeling like your organs are falling out, often accompanied by pressure or heaviness in the pelvis

Getting started

LIFT is offered at Beaumont outpatient facilities in several communities throughout the region. We offer flexible, convenient appointment times to accommodate busy schedules. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to the Beaumont LIFT Program. Call Beaumont at 248-655-3191 to make an appointment. 

What is pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain is a common complaint and can be caused by a number of pelvic conditions. Its nature and intensity may fluctuate, and its cause is often obscure. In some cases, no disease is evident. Pelvic pain may occur in the genitals and/or in and around the pelvis, abdominals or lower back. 

Pelvic pain is a debilitating condition that commonly affects men and women. Symptoms can include:

• Pelvic and lower abdominal pain
  
• Pelvic pressure
  
• Painful periods
  
• Bladder urgency or frequency
  
• Painful urination
  
• Painful bowel movements or constipation
  
• Vulvar pain
  
• Painful intercourse or sexual dysfunction
  
• Back pain
  
• Fatigue
  
• Depression
  

Beaumont’s pelvic pain program can help you cope with the condition and improve your quality of life. The goal of this program is to educate and train patients to manage their pelvic pain or other musculoskeletal dysfunction as it relates to their diagnosis. We realize that this painful condition can negatively impact every aspect of your life and will work with you to reclaim your life from chronic pelvic pain.

Our licensed therapists use the latest research and evidence-based interventions to compassionately address your individual concerns and symptoms. Our therapists actively participate in national and international research programs and medical associations, ensuring your treatments are on the leading edge. You and your physical therapist will work together to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals. Your therapist will assess and address the musculoskeletal dysfunction that can cause and facilitate chronic pelvic pain.

Leading edge treatment

Our therapists use the most recent treatment interventions including:

• Electrical stimulation and biofeedback (sEMG)
  
• Manual therapy 
  
• Internal and external pelvic floor releases
  
• Kinesiology taping
  
• Patient education, referral to support services and self-management training

Conditions treated:

• Levator ani syndrome or pelvic floor myalgia
  
• Pregnancy and post-pregnancy issues 
  
• Painful intercourse
  
• Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome 
  
• Pelvic pain
  
• Vaginismus
  
• Vulvodynia
  
• Post-surgical pelvic pain
  

Benefits:

• Decrease pelvic pain and discomfort associated with your condition
  
• Increase knowledge of causes and instruction in self-management of pain
  
• Increase in functional activity and return to normal daily-life activity
  
• Participate in daily activities without pain
  

Getting started

Pelvic pain physical therapy is offered at Beaumont outpatient facilities in several communities throughout the region. We offer flexible, convenient appointment times to accommodate busy schedules. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral. Call Beaumont at 248-655-3191 to make an appointment. 

There is a common myth that pain, discomfort and disability go hand-in-hand with pregnancy, and there’s not much pregnant women can do about it. While most pregnant women will experience some discomfort during pregnancy and the postpartum period, there are treatments that can combat some of it and make pregnancy a more enjoyable experience.

Ligaments grow lax due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. If there were any previous muscle or joint problems, especially in the pelvic region, it’s more likely you will experience pregnancy-related problems due to muscle weakness, pain and dysfunction.

Health care providers at Beaumont offer physical therapy treatments and pain management techniques to help alleviate some pregnancy-related discomfort. Whether you experience pain in your lower back, hip(s), pelvis or elsewhere, physical therapy may offer some relief.

The Beaumont pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy program treats a wide variety of diagnoses including but not limited to:

• Back pain
  
• Sacroiliitis
  
• Pelvic floor dysfunction 
  
• Pubic symphysis pain
  
• Diastasis recti
  
• Post C-section
  
• Bowel and bladder dysfunction
  

When working with pregnant or postpartum patients, physical therapists can perform some manual therapies , guide exercises and offer assistance in the form of support devices. Strengthening and stabilizing the pelvic floor and core muscles can keep some types of pain at bay and can reduce the risk of incontinence during and after pregnancy. Massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy can encourage relaxation and reduce pain. 

Postpartum physical therapy

Women’s health specialists recommend a pelvic health checkup after delivery. Postpartum physical therapy usually focuses on pelvic floor quality and general strength and stability. Your therapist has the knowledge to evaluate, perform tests and develop individualized treatment plans that meet your unique needs. 

Pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy is offered at Beaumont outpatient facilities in several communities throughout the region. We offer flexible, convenient appointment times to accommodate busy schedules. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral. Call Beaumont at 248-655-3191 to make an appointment. 

The GROW program is a specialized Beaumont Children's pelvic floor therapy program for children ages five to 17. It is designed to decrease or eliminate bowel and bladder dysfunction in children. The GROW program offers confidence, convenience and normalcy to families dealing with these issues.

What causes urinary or bowel dysfunction in children?

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is a main contributor to urinary and bowel problems. Many different factors may cause pelvic floor dysfunction, including:

• Habitual holding patterns
  
• Constipation 
  
• Dietary considerations
  
• Decreased pelvic floor strength
  
• Increased pelvic floor muscle tightness
  
• Lack of pelvic floor muscle coordination
  
• Genetics
  
• Neuropsychiatric disorders (ADD/ADHD)
  

The Beaumont GROW Program may be able to help if your child is experiencing:

• Stress urinary incontinence - leaking with coughing, laughing, sneezing or activity
  
• Frequency - increased or decreased frequency of bathroom breaks
• Urgency - "got-to-go" feeling
• Urge incontinence - leaking with a strong urge
• Bowel leakage or staining
• Constipation
• Incomplete emptying of the bowel or bladder
  

Bowel and/or bladder dysfunction is never a normal part of life. Our therapists are trained to evaluate each child individually to determine the reason for the dysfunction. An individualized, age-appropriate program will be developed to address all contributing factors. The program will include both the child and the family.

Our pelvic floor physical therapists are experienced and licensed by the state of Michigan. We are active in national and international research programs and medical associations. Our therapists specialize in the treatment of children with pelvic floor dysfunction leading to bladder or bowel problems. We use the latest research and evidence-based treatments to compassionately address each family's individual concerns and symptoms. 

Getting started

GROW is offered at Beaumont outpatient facilities in several communities throughout the region. We offer flexible, convenient appointment times to accommodate busy families. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to the Beaumont GROW program. Call Beaumont at 248-655-3191 to make an appointment.