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Pelvic floor physical therapy: Enhancing patient outcomes.
Mollie Francis1, Michaela Thielen, Cailin Austin
1At the time this article was written, Mollie Francis , Michaela Thielen , and Cailin Austin were PA students at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Now, Mollie Francis works as a hospitalist PA at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN; Michaela Thielen as a dermatology PA at OakLeaf Clinics Dermatology in Chippewa Falls, WI; and Cailin Austin as a nephrology PA at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. Brittany Strelow is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Community Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, & Palliative Care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Pelvic floor disorders, including constipation and incontinence, are often underdiagnosed. Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) offers effective treatment options to improve quality of life for affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Gynecology
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Pelvic floor disorders encompass conditions like constipation, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and dyspareunia.
- These disorders stem from abnormalities in the pelvic floor musculature and are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated.
- Dysfunction in the pelvic floor significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of pelvic floor anatomy and its relation to common disorders.
- To detail the goals and therapeutic tactics of pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT).
- To explore the diagnosis and treatment of constipation, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence linked to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Review of pelvic floor anatomy and musculature.
- Discussion of PFPT principles, including treatment goals and techniques.
- Exploration of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic interventions for specific pelvic floor disorders.
Main Results:
- Understanding pelvic floor anatomy is crucial for diagnosing and treating related disorders.
- PFPT employs targeted strategies to address muscle abnormalities.
- Effective diagnosis and treatment of constipation, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence can be achieved through PFPT.
Conclusions:
- Pelvic floor disorders are prevalent but often overlooked conditions.
- PFPT is a vital treatment modality for improving function and quality of life.
- Addressing the diagnostic and treatment gap for pelvic floor dysfunction is essential.
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