Pelvic Floor PT for Men
Image of the male pelvic floor. (Image courtesy PelvicGlobal.com)
As a physical therapist specializing in cycling and bike fitting, one area that causes distress for many male riders is the perineal or "saddle" area. The perineal area is often a mystery to many practitioners, including physical therapists. In most physical therapy school curricula, this complex body region is covered quickly, if at all, and often focuses on issues commonly found in female patients, such as peri-partum pelvic floor dysfunction. As I've continued to practice, I've seen many male patients, cyclists, and non-cyclists alike, struggle with issues related to pelvic floor function, and I felt like I did not have the skills needed to address these issues. For this reason, I recently attended an advanced training course on Male Pelvic Health for Rehab Practitioners so that I could help this population of men dealing with frustrating and seldom-discussed issues.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to many challenging conditions and symptoms. For some, pelvic floor dysfunction can be part of the reasons why they have lower back pain or persistent pelvic area pain. Others may struggle with incontinence or sexual dysfunction. Overlooking the musculoskeletal factors behind these conditions can lead to incomplete recovery and ongoing issues that can cause serious stress and poor quality of life for men dealing with them.
So how does pelvic floor physical therapy help? By assessing and treating the dysfunctional pelvic floor musculoskeletal system. While there are many complex structures in the pubic region, the muscles of the pelvic floor need what all muscles in the body need: appropriate mobility and strength. With appropriate assessment, a clinician trained in pelvic floor physical therapy can prescribe targeted exercises, activities, and manual therapies that will alleviate symptoms and allow patients to improve their conditions.
Cyclists, in particular, can be at risk for pelvic floor issues when a bike is improperly fit or when a saddle is incorrectly sized, leading to pressure injuries to the soft tissue of the pelvic floor or muscular dysfunction. As such, having a physical therapist who is skilled in both pelvic floor assessment and treatment as well as cycling medicine is a particular asset.
If you are dealing with any symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction such as pain, numbness, incontinence, or sexual dysfunction, don't feel like you need to suffer in silence. These conditions are NOT NORMAL and can be helped, at least in part, by physical therapy! Especially if you are a cyclist, realize that saddle pressure and riding should not be causing any of these issues!
Over the next few weeks, I hope to share a little more about specific conditions that pelvic floor physical therapy can help with, such as prostate cancer, ED, and pudendal neuralgia. Meanwhile, if you are on the North Shore or in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts, contact Cycle Life Physical Therapy to address these conditions with safe and effective physical therapy treatments.
