June is national Men's Health Month and so while I have been treating males for pelvic health problems, I find this a perfect opportunity to talk about how Pelvic Physical Therapy can be incredibly useful for males suffering from any pelvic health dysfunction. Men with pelvic problems mostly sees urologists for examination first due to the nature of its symptoms, and the lab results usually returns with normal values. What a lot of other healthcare providers fall flat in recognizing are, the structures outside of the pelvic organs, particularly the pelvic floor muscles and other soft tissues and the role of nervous system.
Common Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Symptoms:
· Urinary urgency, frequency, and burning
· Post-ejaculatory pain
· Aching, burning, shooting, or stabbing pain in the: perineum, penis, scrotum, or anus
· Pain aggravated by sitting, tight clothing, or exercises such as squatting with weights and bicycling.
Common Mechanisms/Symptoms:
· Urinary urgency, frequency, and burning
· Post-ejaculatory pain
· Aching, burning, shooting, or stabbing pain in the: perineum, penis, scrotum, anus, lower abdomen and or groin.
· Pain aggravated by sitting, tight clothing, or exercises such as squatting with weights and bicycling.
Male pelvic floor function relies on complicated and dynamic relationships between muscle, fascia, ligaments, bone, nerves, and vascular supply that in men play a crucial role in urinary, bowel, and sexual functions.
How can PFPT help with Male Pelvic Health Conditions?
We help with a treatment program that is personalized to your needs based on your symptoms and diagnosis to improve and manage your pelvic symptoms. Our goal is to ensure your wellness and regain control of your life!
Some of the treatment modalities may include but are not limited to:
· Biofeedback
· Manual techniques
· Exercise specifically designed for your condition
· Pelvic floor muscle training (training & relaxation)
· Bladder and bowel retraining
First Visit
Your first visit with us for evaluation will be of 60-90 min in length. During that visit, your physical therapist asks review your history and symptoms (reasons you are seeking help). Your evaluation might include intrarectal exam and external exam of your pelvis, hip, back depending on your symptoms. We will screen your bladder, bowel, and sexual function. We will be evaluating your movement pattern and posture and assess the mobility of your joins, muscles and nerves. Based on the evaluation, your physical therapist will explain the findings and the recommended treatment. You will then as a team with your PT, make a treatment plan that works best. Usually we see patients in our office for about 10-12 sessions. Along with in-person visits one to two times a week, you will be given a home exercise program. We understand that you might've seen other providers in the past and you might be frustrated with the incorrect diagnosis in the past, our physical therapist will take time to listen to you and will work as a team with you to reach your health goals and give you the care you deserve.
References:
1.Deborah Cohen, Joshua Gonzalez, Irwin Goldstein,The Role of Pelvic Floor Muscles in Male Sexual Dysfunction and Pelvic Pain, Sexual Medicine Reviews,Volume 4, Issue 1,2016, Pages 53-62
