Pittsburgh Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Prolapse can sound like a scary diagnosis but actually it is very common among women after giving birth and can be well managed with pelvic floor therapy. Prolapse is defined as the descent of one or more walls of the vagina, the uterus or cervix. What this basically means it that the supporting structures of these organs have stretched, resulting in a subtle descent of one of these organs into the walls of the vagina. The organs are supported by fascia, ligaments and muscles, and reduced support of any of these structures can result in pelvic organ prolapse.

Common symptoms:

• A feeling that something is falling out of the vagina
• Sensation of a misplaced tampon
• Bulge or heaviness in the vagina or rectum
• Sense of heaviness or dragging in the pelvis
• Difficulty fully emptying bladder or bowels

Treatment techniques that we use to help you get better:

1. Assessing your prolapse grade and coordinating care with your doctor for proper management as indicated
2. Checking pelvic floor muscles internally for poor coordination and weakness and teaching you to properly contract as well as fully relax your pelvic floor muscles
3. Manual therapy including trigger point release of internal pelvic floor muscles as well as larger muscles externally (ex- abdominals, thighs) 
4. Education for proper bladder and bowel habits, with special attention on reducing ineffective abdominal pressure, such as habitual straining for bowel movements
5. Ergonomic training for proper support to your pelvic floor, including training for functional activities such as lifting your kids and household activities
6. A personalized exercise program to help you target your areas of weakness