Pelvic Floor Therapy in St. Augustine

Understanding the Importance of Your Pelvic Floor

Did you know that your pelvic floor is responsible for supporting organs like your uterus, bladder, bowels, and more? Or that it controls bodily functions like urination, bowel movements, and sexual function? What about the fact that an estimated one-third of women in the U.S. are affected by some type of pelvic floor disorder? 

At Crescent Beach Care, our experts meet with many patients who are not familiar with their pelvic floor and how vital it is for everyday life. Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about your pelvic floor, common issues that patients experience, and options for pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine

 

The Pelvic Floor Explained

Let’s start off with the basics: what is the pelvic floor? Currently, we define the pelvic floor as a grouping of muscles that stretch from the pubic bone to the tailbone. These muscles support important organs like the bladder, uterus, and more. These muscles can squeeze, contract, and relax like any other muscles, and the sign of a healthy pelvic floor is being able to perform these actions voluntarily. 

When you can’t perform these actions voluntarily, then that might be a sign that you have pelvic floor dysfunction.

 

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

There can be many symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, so it’s best to meet with one of our team members if you think you are having issues with your pelvic floor. However, common symptoms can include: 

  • Constipation
  • Straining to defecate
  • Stool leakage
  • Having to frequently start and stop when you’re trying to pee
  • Urine leakage
  • Having to change positions on the toilet or use your hand to eliminate stool
  • Frequent urge to pee
  • Painful urination
  • Unexplained lower back pain
  • Ongoing pain in your pelvic region, genitals, or rectum

 

Causes for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

 

Just like how there are many symptoms for pelvic floor dysfunction, there are also many causes for it. During your consultation, we talk with you to understand the root cause of your pelvic floor dysfunction so we can find the best options for your pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine

Surgery

Surgery on any muscle can cause weakness. After surgery, your muscles lose mass and function because you do not use them during the recovery period. This is called muscle atrophy. While it is easy for people to imagine this happening with surgeries on areas like the arms or legs, it can also happen to your pelvic floor muscles. Common surgeries that cause these issues are hysterectomy and prostatectomy.

Genetics

Recent studies by the University of Utah have shown that some people may be genetically predisposed to develop pelvic floor disorders (PVD) later in life. Genetics also determines the strength of a person’s muscles, bones, and connective tissues. Some people are born with conditions that cause them to have weaker muscles and connective tissues, making them more likely to develop PVD. 

Age

People tend to lose muscle mass and bone density as they age, especially after menopause or andropause. Because of this, muscles are less able to contract, making them more rigid, even with regular exercise. This can cause the pelvic floor muscles to become weak, often resulting in urinary incontinence and other issues. 

Chronic Strain

Straining while going to the bathroom is normal occasionally, but continuous strain over time can put too much pressure on your pelvic floor. The need to constantly strain can be caused by many issues, including chronic constipation, medications, and certain medical conditions. Your provider will talk with you during your consultation to understand why you have chronic strain, so you can enjoy lasting improvements after pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine. 

Childbirth

Giving birth is a time for joy and celebration, not constant worry about leaks or pain. However, giving birth puts tremendous strain on your pelvic floor muscles. Pregnancy itself puts strain on your pelvic floor by adding more weight to support. Additionally, birth causes trauma to the pelvic floor, weakening the muscles to increase your risk of urinary incontinence and other concerns. 

 

Your Options for Pelvic Floor Treatment

 

We offer two different treatments for pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine, with each one targeting different concerns. Our team customizes your care to your needs, using only the treatments that will deliver the best results. 

Emsella 

Emsella is an FDA-cleared, noninvasive treatment for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues. It can be used on both men and women to treat all types of urinary incontinence as well as improve sexual function.

How It Works

The Emsella chair uses HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic) energy to stimulate contractions within your pelvic floor muscles. The contractions are faster and more intense than any Kegels you could do. This not only strengthens the muscle fibers of your pelvic floor, but also tightens the connective tissues between the muscles, restoring your pelvic floor strength and reversing many PVD symptoms.

Pre- & Post-Care
Pre-Care Instructions Post-Care Instructions
Drink plenty of water the day of your treatment.  Continue to hydrate your body by drinking plenty of water. 
Arrive to your appointment wearing thin, comfortable clothing.  Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity that includes your pelvic floor for at least 72 hours.
Remove all piercings and metal from your body before beginning treatment.  Make sure to schedule any additional Emsella appointments as needed. 
Let your provider know your full medical history during your consultation, including any implants you may have. 

 

The Emsella Process

Your provider will have you sit fully clothed on the Emsella chair to begin your pelvic floor therapy St. Augustine. They may adjust how you are positioned to ensure you can receive the full effects of treatment. Once you are ready, they will turn on the chair. You may feel an odd sensation as your pelvic muscles contract, but should be able to sit comfortably and without any pain. During your 30-minute session of Emsella, your pelvic floor will contract about 12,000 times, improving muscle tone and tightening the connective tissue that holds up your organs. 

Emfemme

Emfemme is your second option for pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine. As the shortest intimate health treatment available, this treatment focuses on thickening the vaginal wall and surrounding tissues to improve sexual function and reverse urinary incontinence. 

How It Works

Emfemme uses thermal energy from monopolar radiofrequency to stimulate collagen and elastin production within the vaginal wall and tissue. This keeps every aspect of the vagina healthy, including balancing the pH, but the effects go beyond the vagina. Emfemme can also improve the surrounding tissue, including the external vaginal tissue and surrounding muscles. This means that Emfemme works as both a vaginal and pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine. 

Pre- & Post-Care
Pre-Care Instructions Post-Care Instructions
Drink plenty of water the day of your appointment. It is important that you are hydrated during treatment.  Continue drinking plenty of water for at least 3 days after your treatment. 
Shave the treatment area within 24 hours of your appointment.  Engage in 30 minutes of light physical exercise within 12 hours following your Emfemme appointment. 
Arrive to your appointment wearing comfortable clothing that is easy to remove.  Avoid sexual intercourse for 24 to 48 hours. 
Remove all jewelry before beginning treatment.  Though not required, we recommend wearing a pantyliner for any spotting that might occur after treatment. 
Avoid tobacco and alcohol for at least 3 days before your appointment.  Continue to avoid tobacco and alcohol for another 3 days. 
Let your provider know of your full medical history, including the last vaginal test/Pap smear you had and if you have any metal implants. Expect some redness and swelling after Emfemme. This will resolve in the days following treatment. 
Complete any pre-treatment tests and exams required by your provider. 
The Emfemme Process

Your provider will guide you to a comfortable treatment room and then give you a privacy blanket and step out. Before beginning your pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine, they will give you time to change out of your clothes from the waist down and lay down on the treatment table, covering yourself with the blanket. 

Once you are ready, your provider will re-enter the treatment room and begin administering treatment. They will apply an ultrasound gel to the Emfemme wand, then insert it into the vaginal canal. You may feel a slight warming sensation, but should otherwise be comfortable during the 8-minute treatment process. 

Once they are finished, they can use the wand to treat the external tissue of the vagina if you wish. If not, they will give you the privacy to dress once again. When you are dressed, they will discuss what you can expect after treatment and then help you schedule your next Emfemme session. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that you might have a few questions before scheduling an appointment. Here are the most common questions we get about pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine. 

What are the types of urinary incontinence? 

There are 3 different types of urinary incontinence:

  1. Stress Incontinence – this type of urinary incontinence is related to intra-abdominal stress like sneezing, coughing, or jumping. This is usually caused by too much pressure or trauma on the pelvic floor, so it is most commonly seen in women. 
  2. Urge Incontinence – this type of urinary incontinence is related to the nerves, and is always related to an underlying disease like diabetes, nerve damage, neurogenic bladder, etc. This type of incontinence cannot be treated with pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine, but treatment can help improve symptoms. While urge incontinence can happen to anyone, it is most commonly seen in men. 
  3. Mixed Incontinence – this is a combination of urge and stress incontinence. 

How do you tell if I need Emsella or Emfemme? 

Your provider will go over your full medical history to determine the type of incontinence you have and the root cause of your pelvic floor dysfunction. Factors like sex, medications, medical conditions, and major life events like births will help your provider determine the best treatment for your needs. 

Does pelvic floor therapy help with “too tight” pelvic floor muscles? 

For some individuals, their pelvic floor muscles have a difficult time relaxing, making them “too tight”. This is still considered a type of pelvic floor disorder. Both Emsella and Emfemme are designed to help strengthen those muscles, so they will not be effective methods of treatment. Once your provider determines you have a hypertonic (too tight) pelvic floor, they can refer you to a trusted pelvic floor therapist to help relax those muscles. 

 

Feel Confident in Your Body

 

You don’t have to “just deal” with a dysfunctional pelvic floor. By using our treatment planning tool or scheduling a consultation with our team, you can take the first step towards reclaiming your confidence with pelvic floor therapy in St. Augustine.

Treatment Planning Tool           Schedule a Consultation