Exercises and treatments for recovering from a pelvic floor injury depend on the severity of the injury, as well as on individual factors such as age, sex, and overall health. Generally speaking, most people will benefit from some combination of physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications.
Physical therapy is one of the most important components in treating pelvic floor injuries. Physical therapy helps to increase muscle strength and flexibility in the pelvic floor muscles, which can help reduce pain associated with the injury. Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) are typically recommended for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which can help improve bladder control and rectal support. Other exercises may be recommended depending on the type of injury. These may include stretching exercises, core stabilization exercises, postural training, and balance activities.
In addition to physical therapy, lifestyle changes may also be beneficial for those with pelvic floor injuries. Losing excess weight can help reduce strain on the pelvic floor muscles as well as other surrounding joints and tissues, which can help reduce pain levels and improve mobility. Additionally, quitting smoking is an essential component to achieving optimal recovery due to its negative effects on wound healing as well as other medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis that can worsen an existing pelvic floor injury. Lastly, maintaining adequate hydration through drinking plenty of water can help improve bladder control by providing enough volume of urine, which allows better evacuation of urine when voiding.
Medications used to treat pelvic floor injuries may include muscle relaxants or antispasmodic agents that help relieve muscle spasms associated with the injury; anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen that can help reduce inflammation; tricyclic antidepressants that have been known to provide pain relief; or biofeedback treatment devices which are used during physical therapy sessions to teach individuals how to relax their pelvic floor muscles in order to manage discomfort associated with the injury.
When it comes to recovering from a pelvic floor injury, it is important for individuals to seek professional guidance from their physician or physical therapist, who will be able best assess their individual needs and determine what kind of treatments will work best for them. In many cases, this includes combining physical therapy with lifestyle modifications and medications in order to achieve optimal recovery from a pelvic floor injury.