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Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehabilitation Educational Brochure
The muscles of the pelvic floor are responsible for supporting the bladder and rectum as well as the uterus and ovaries within the body. With aging and particularly after childbirth, the muscles of the pelvic floor become weaker or dysfunctional. Many women suffer chronic problems associated with pelvic floor muscle weakness including stress or urge urinary incontinence, chronic constipation, and/or chronic pelvic pain, often without knowing these are related. Men have difficulty with urinary control after surgery for prostate cancer. Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehabilitation (PFMR) is a noninvasive program designed to make patients aware of and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, with the goal of improving or resolving these chronic conditions.
What Does PFMR Do?
Through PFMR, you will learn simple exercises to improve the function of these muscles and, in doing so, improve your urinary or fecal (bowel) incontinence.
How Does The Urology Clinic’s PFMR Program Work?
After your physician evaluates you and PFMR is prescribed for your medical condition, you will be scheduled to meet with our Nurse Practitioner. She has been trained extensively in the use and application of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation techniques and will tailor your course of treatment to your problems.
Your initial evaluation will last approximately one hour. During this time, she will review your history with particular emphasis on your voiding pattern and pelvic floor symptoms. She will then perform a baseline evaluation of your pelvic floor muscles. Working with your physician, she will develop a pelvic floor rehabilitation plan specifically designed to fit your needs. Most patients then require 5 to 7 thirty-minute sessions in our PFMR center, in addition to practicing at home, to reach their goals.
The pelvic floor sensors will be prescribed and will need to be purchased prior to your PFMR Evaluation appointment. Most patients purchase these at Care Medical, located at 1242 Prince Avenue (phone: 706-354-4136). You will need to bring this sensor to each PFMR session. The sensor is attached to the computerized system and allows the measurement of your progress. This process allows us to prescribe exercises appropriately depending on your strength, endurance, and accessory muscles. Taking this sensor home with you allows you to practice your PFMR exercises exactly as they were performed in the office.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect From PFMR?
As with any exercise program, some results are immediate and some may take time. You should notice gradual improvement by your third or fourth visit, if the therapy is going to be successful. Adequate practice of the exercises between visits will be necessary. The goal of this type of program is to reeducate the patient regarding the normal function of their pelvic floor muscles and to provide a framework for good pelvic health for a lifetime.
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