Pelvic Muscle Training in Men
Alot of men don’t realise that they have a pelvic floor, but they most certainly do. Their pelvic floor plays an important role in continence and staying dry.
As we age it is natural for the pelvic floor muscles to weaken. Leakage is also a common side effect from prostatectomy (the removal of the prostate gland). Some of the pelvic floor muscles are removed with the prostate during a prostatectomy and is it this that may cause the altered bladder control.
There are also certain conditions that lead to the weakening and overactive use of the pelvic floor for men;
Cystitis - a bladder infection, the walls of your bladder become irritated and inflamed. This causes a strong urge to urinate even after you have gone. It causes pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, it can be felt as pressure or tenderness and in some cases intense pain.
Overactive pelvic floor muscles - Some conditions may arise from this overactivity in the pelvic floor; IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) chronic prostatitis, and post pelvic trauma. It can present as penile, testicular, or groin pain with pain during urination or sexual activity.
Physiotherapy can help improve your pelvic floor support. Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles can soon be strengthened as these muscles responds quite well to targeted muscle training, many patients find even a short course of physiotherapy helped them immensely.
Pelvic Muscle Training
Pelvic muscle training varies depending on individual diagnosis, however it may include some of the following:
Manual therapy treatment to the lower back and pelvis in order to get the joints moving correctly.
Trigger point therapy.
Pelvic floor exercises to help release the pelvic floor.
Re-education of the pelvic floor, hip and abdominal musculature.
Education regarding pain and how to manage it.
Specialised breathing and relaxation work.
Abdominal holding patterns.
Your physiotherapist will create an individualised pelvic floor exercise routine for you, modifying and progressing to meet challenges in your life.
At our Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic in Dublin 4, we have expertise in dealing with Pelvic pain in men. Our Clinic director Aileen Mcquire runs the pelvic floor rehabilitation service in the clinic treating both male and female patients with bladder and bowel incontinence and pelvic pain.
Men’s Health Clinic
Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic we have years of experience in helping men through a range of different health issues.