As most of you might know, pelvic food plays a crucial role in maintaining the well-being of our bodies. Pelvic floor massage, an often overlooked method to improve the pelvic floor muscles aids in maintaining the strength and performance of pelvic muscles. This massage has been proven to reduce tension and stiffness in the muscles leading to relaxation and pain relief, especially in those experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction.
This article will guide you through the importance of pelvic muscles and pelvic floor massage in maintaining them. It also discusses the benefits offered by pelvic floor massage and the people who will benefit from it. You will also get to know the importance of proper guidance from a certified therapist while performing pelvic floor massage.
What Is Pelvic Floor Massage?
Pelvic floor massage is a physical therapy that helps to reduce tension and improve the activities of pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor consists of different muscles and connective tissues that support various organs in the pelvis such as the intestine, bladder, and internal reproductive organs. The muscles in the pelvic floor play a crucial role in supporting these organs, sexual functions, and maintaining continence.
So, maintaining a healthy and strong pelvic floor is very essential. It not only performs these functions but also supports the overall well-being of the body.
Healthy pelvic floor muscles help you control the squeezing and relaxing of the pelvic floor. This helps to regulate different bodily activities like peeing, bowel movements, and sexual functions. However, some people may experience pelvic dysfunction which causes pain and discomfort in the pelvic area. It can be caused by various factors such as aging, injuries, pregnancy, connective tissue disorders, and more. In such cases, pelvic floor massages help to alleviate the problems caused by pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor massages are gentle massages that manipulate the muscles and tissues in the pelvic area. These massages can be performed externally and internally, focusing on the surrounding muscles or the specific pain point, respectively. The main aim of these massages is to release the tightness and tension in the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor massages can be performed under the guidance of professional and trained therapists.
Who Should Get A Pelvic Floor Massage?
Pelvic floor massage is essential for those facing pelvic floor dysfunction. Along with people who suffer from pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, pelvic floor massage benefits postpartum women, people suffering from urinary or bowel incontinence, and men with prostate enlargement and other related problems. As pelvic floor disorders can occur to anyone irrespective of age, these massages help everyone regardless of age and gender.
However, this massage is not only for an existing physical condition. As pelvic floor massage helps to maintain strong and healthy pelvic muscles it is beneficial for athletes to improve their performance and older adults who wish to improve their pelvic health.
Benefits Of Pelvic Floor Massage
Pelvic floor massage offers a variety of benefits for people, especially those suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction. Some of the benefits include:
👉 Reduces Pelvic Pain
Pelvic floor massage reduces the pain caused by muscle tension and spasms in the pelvic area. Additionally, as the massage releases tension and tightness in the pelvic muscles, it will help to alleviate pain.
👉 Improves Urinary And Bowel Incontinence
The pelvic floor massage enhances the strength of the pelvic area. This leads to the automatic squeezing and relaxing of the pelvic muscles, leading to improved urinary and bowel movements.
👉 Helps Postpartum Recovery
Childbirth can lead to the weakening of pelvic floor muscles leading to pelvic pain and discomfort in women after delivery. Pelvic floor massage helps reduce these issues by strengthening the pelvic muscles.
👉 Supports Sexual Functions
Pelvic floor massage helps improve the stiffness of pelvic muscles and blood flow near the pelvic area. This helps to support sexual functions and performance.
How Does Pelvic Floor Massage Work?
As mentioned, pelvic floor massage improves pelvic functions by reducing the tightness in the pelvic muscles. This massage which can be categorized into two, improves the tension, flexibility, and blood circulation near the pelvic area. The external pelvic floor massage includes techniques aimed at the muscles near the pelvic area, while the internal pelvic floor massage focuses on specific points and provides relief and strength by working on those points. However, these massages should be performed with the help of a therapist.
The therapist may also include certain gentle stretches and exercises to improve the efficiency of the massage. This may include breathing exercises and certain devices and techniques to gain better relaxation.
How To Find A Qualified Pelvic Floor Massage Therapist?
Pelvic floor massage is an intimate therapy and also poses a high risk of major injuries if performed without proper guidance. So, the therapist has a crucial role in determining the effects of the pelvic food massage.
According to healthcare professionals, trained and certified therapists with valid certifications like that of the American Physical Therapy Association should only engage in pelvic floor massages. You may also seek advice from medical professionals before choosing a therapist. Trusted individuals with prior experience or those who have already undergone pelvic floor massages can also help you find an efficient therapist.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor massage is a gentle manipulative therapy that enhances the pelvic floor strength by alleviating tension and pain. As pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in many bodily functions including peeing, pooping, and sexual activities, maintaining a healthy and strong pelvic area is essential. Pelvic floor massage works towards this by reducing pelvic floor dysfunctions. This massage can be performed externally in the muscles near the pelvic area or internally at specific points.
Pelvic floor massage can be beneficial for people experiencing pain and discomfort in the pelvic area. It also benefits postpartum women and men with prostate issues by reducing pain, enhancing postpartum recovery, and improving blood circulation. This massage also improves urinary and bowel incontinence and enhances sexual functions. However, it is important to perform pelvic floor massage with the proper guidance and expertise of a qualified therapist as minor negligence may cause serious injuries.
FAQs
No. Pelvic floor massages are beneficial for both men and women.
Gentle stretches, diaphragmatic breathing, pelvic drops, deep squats, and poses like happy baby pose and child’s pose will help you release your pelvic floor.
Although people might experience discomfort during a pelvic floor massage, it should not be painful.
The frequency of pelvic floor massages is subjective to each individual. Consulting a professional therapist will help you identify the frequency of your massage. However, if you experience significant pelvic pain or discomfort, you may need a massage once a week.
Pelvic floor massages performed under a qualified and professional therapist’s guidance are considered safe and effective. However, negligence and improper techniques may cause discomfort, pain, and injuries.
Certain physical conditions like ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory diseases, ovarian cysts, and pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to pelvic floor pain.
