Male Pelvic Floor
Physical Therapy
Male pelvic floor physical therapy is a form of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvic region of those with male anatomy. These muscles and tissue can become weakened or damaged due to a variety of conditions, such as prostate surgery, chronic constipation, or pelvic pain.
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The goal is to improve muscle function, alleviate pain, and promote healing in the pelvic area. Treatment may include exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, manual therapy to release tension and improve mobility, and education on proper posture and body mechanics.
Conditions Treated
Urinary Issues - Anything related to the pain or function of urination. This may include things like interstitial cystitis or post-void dribble.
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Bowel Disorders - Related to the function of bowel movements, such as chronic constipation or pain.
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Pain - Pain anywhere, not just the pelvis. This could be hip pain or tailbone pain, for example.
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Orthopedic Conditions - You are not just a floating pelvis in space, so focusing on the entire body as it relates to your pelvis is also part of our sessions.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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How is dry needling different than acupuncture?Dry needling is a modality utilized in a rehab plan of care to improve local blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and decrease chronic inflammation in the targeted area. Other modalities, for comparison, are manual therapy, exercise, stretching, and topical treatments like TENs or heat packs. Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine based on traditional Chinese medicine. While they both include single-use needles, the intention and placement differ based off of your goals and purpose of the treatment. Dry needling may be performed by many different clinicians, however acupuncture may only be performed by licensed acupuncturists.
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I tried dry needling before and wasn't sure it helped, is it worth trying again?Yes. Every clinician is different in their form of practice and preferred treatment techniques. In terms of dry needling, if you didn't respond well to a more aggressive approach perhaps a more gentle form is needed and vice versa. It's important to communicate to your clinician what worked and didn't work for you before, as you are the expert in your own body.
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What is the current evidence behind dry needling?More recent research has been published focusing on the benefits of dry needling. If you are interested in reading up on specific studies, this dry needling company (IDryNeedle) has a quality collection of full-text articles to browse here.
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Can I come in just for dry needling?Since dry needling is a modality, and therefore part of your overall rehab program, it is preferred through Worth It PT to have at minimum an evaluation in our Denver clinic. If it is determined by you and your clinician that dry needling is the main reason you'd need to be seen, then you can just return for shorter dry needling sessions vs full length follow-ups.
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Does dry needling hurt?Dry needling encompasses small, single-use needles inserted into muscle to achieve desired effects listed above. Piercing skin and soft tissue with a needle can be uncomfortable, however it depends on the area and the amount of sensory nerves per area you have. The back is less sensitive than the pelvic floor, for example. Everyone does respond differently, so it is best to maintain constant communication with your clinician to ensure your comfort and understanding throughout the treatment.
Learn more about male pelvic floor physical therapy on our blog.
