Pelvic Floor Center

Specialized in diagnosing and treating pelvic floor disorders

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Millions of Americans live with pelvic floor dysfunction, which refers to a wide range of problems that can occur when the pelvic muscles aren’t functioning as they should. Unfortunately, most cases of pelvic floor dysfunction go unidentified and untreated — but if diagnosed, these disorders can be very effectively treated with pelvic floor physical therapy, or sometimes with neurostimulation.

For many people, the pelvic floor muscles may be either too weak or too tight. Some people may have an impairment of the lower back, hip joint, or sacroiliac joint that causes the surrounding muscles to have irritation or pain. And for some, the underlying cause of pelvic floor dysfunction is unknown or difficult to determine.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is not usually life-threatening, but it can take a toll on a person’s quality of life. Many men and women live with constipation, chronic pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, pain during intercourse, and other symptoms that can be successfully managed with pelvic floor physical therapy. Our team at Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants includes highly skilled, specially-trained pelvic floor physical therapists and doctors who can treat many pelvic floor disorders.

At least 1/3 of all women experience some type of pelvic floor disorder. Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms include:

MEN

Pelvic pain
Bladder pain
Orthopedic issues like tailbone pain or a hamstring injury
Pain after urination or ejaculation
Pelvic spasms
Prostatitis
Urinary or fecal incontinence
Chronic constipation

WOMEN

Pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
Urinary or fecal incontinence
Abdominal pain
Bladder pain
Endometriosis
Urinary frequency and/or urgency
A history of pelvic organ prolapse or past gynecological surgery
A history of urinary tract infections
IBS or constipation

Pelvic floor physical therapy

Many pelvic floor conditions can be managed without surgery. A physical therapist trained in pelvic floor therapy creates a personalized program for you and helps you fully understand your symptoms. Pelvic floor therapy aims to alleviate pain and discomfort while teaching patients methods to strengthen their pelvic floor in between sessions.

Many people have found success with guided therapy. During pelvic floor therapy, your Integrated GIC therapist may utilize:

Exercises to identify and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
Abdominal strengthening exercises
Biofeedback (a non-painful and non-surgical technique)
Myofascial release and trigger point release
Soft tissue mobilization
Electrical stimulation
Hot/cold therapy
Education on diet, nutrition, and changing behaviors that can improve symptoms
Equip you with at-home strengthening exercises and instructions for self-care

Scheduling a visit with pelvic floor PT

We accept most insurances and will help check if your insurance is accepted. Please check your insurance benefits, including the insurance guidelines for your deductible.

If you have questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please call 978-459-6737 and ask to speak with our PT Coordinator.

Neurostimulation

Neurostimulation is an approach to bowel continence problems that focuses on improving the communication that your lower body has with your brain and nervous system.

Our doctors can offer a treatment called Peripheral Nerve Evaluation, or PNE. This is a simple, in-office procedure done with the help of local anesthesia. It requires no preparation and can be done in the order of minutes. During this evaluation, a provider will use a small needle to numb the skin on your back and insert a very thin caliber lead into the tissue under the skin. This lead is then left in place for about one week along with an external stimulator that the patient wears on a belt. During this week, we monitor your symptoms and compare them to the symptoms you had prior to the stimulation.

If the test is successful, which it is in about 70-80% of the appropriately selected patients, we can discuss having a more permanent treatment that can deliver a similar level of stimulation.

Please let your IGIC provider know if you have ever had any problems with bowel continence, such as leakage of stool, frank stool related accidents, or even severe urgency that limits your social interactions and life.

Scheduling a consultation for neurostimulation

We accept most insurances - please call our 978-459-6737 to verify if your insurance is accepted. Please check your insurance benefits, including the insurance guidelines for your deductible.

If you have questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please call 978-459-6737 and ask to speak with our
Neurostimulation coordinator.