Muscles located in the pelvis, called the pelvic floor muscles, control urine, feces and gas loss and play a role in the orgasm and sexual function. Weakness or tension in the pelvic floor muscles can affect these functions. Other muscles that connect to the pelvis from the low back and hip and the joints of the low back, pelvis and hip can also affect the pelvic muscle function.

The pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened and re-trained to reduce or even cure incontinence, urinary urge and frequency and pelvic pain and pain with sexual intercourse (see specialized service of incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction). If associated joints or muscles are affecting the function of the pelvic floor muscle then treatment of these areas will be included.

The muscles of the pelvic floor and related areas can be weakened or become painful due to many reasons including, but not limited to, childbirth, menopause, gynecological surgeries, scarring, infection, chronic coughing, sneezing or excessive strain from running, weight lifting and high impact activities, stroke, multiple sclerosis or other neurologic diseases.

Diagnosis is your doctor's responsibility. Assessment and correct treatment is your physical therapists responsibility.

We've assessed and treated many diagnoses, including:

• Urinary incontinence
• Urge incontinence
• Stress incontinence
• Fecal incontinence
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic floor muscle weakness
• Pelvic floor muscle tension, hypertonus or hyperreflexia
• Vulvodynia
• Vulvitis
• Vaginismus
• Coccygodynia
• Interstital Cystitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Prolapse
• Levator ani syndrome