Men’s Health

Pelvic Floor Muscles in Men

Pelvic floor muscles are located at the base of the pelvis and act as a sling supporting the bladder and rectum in males. The pelvic floor muscles plays a key role in controlling the bladder and bowel function, sexual appreciation, core stability, and helping to pump out the lymphatic flow of the pelvis. These muscles can sense whenever there is change in pressure (for example when you cough or sneeze) and contract to support the organs, at the same time clamping the urethra tube to prevent urinary leakages.

Pelvic floor muscle tension that can be generated by sports, stress, anxiety or depression can overtime cause bladder, bowel or sexual issues in men. 

Male Pelvic floor muscles anatomy

Why is  important to address the pelvic floor muscles, its ligament or fascia system? The pelvic floor muscles can be palpated internally, and not all physiotherapists have the training and expertise to be able to assess them. Some cases of low back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain, bladder symptoms such as leakages or urgency and frequency can be a result of a tight, tensed or over stretched pelvic floor muscles. 

HOLISTIC PELVIC HEALTH FOR MEN

Holistic pelvic health goes beyond assessing the pelvic floor musculature, its ligaments or fascia: it also addresses the entire body or other contributing factors for the disease or condition. It treats each individual and body uniquely, with the goal of identifying key factors, which are affecting the pelvic condition.

Holistic health approach is addressing all the independent parts that can affect health (emotional, physical or psychological), and by addressing the part that is not working properly, harmony and well-being is established. Treating urinary incontinence, or pelvic pain holistically is addressing poor sleeping habits, strong emotional response to every leakage episode, GI inflammation, depression, etc... all components needs to be addressed to improve incontinence and/or pain.

Principals of Holistic Health.

• Healing comes from unconditional support and understanding
• A person is ultimately responsible for his or her own health and well-being
• All people have healing powers
• Healing takes a team approach, including the health practitioners and especially the patient

THE BODY AS AN EMOTIONAL ORGAN

I usually explain to my male clients how our body can carry or store emotions. It is common that our body can be affected by emotions, such as fear, fright, feeling of overwhelm, sadness or grief. Emotions usually is transient, but if your state of being is altered, and negative emotions are prevelent, it can affect the body in many different ways. There is a strong relationship between depression and anxiety with pain and incontinence. 

There are studies that show how we usually tense up our pelvic floor muscles during a stressful situation. Studies observed how the pelvic floor muscles were the first muscles to store tension during a fright episode while watching horror movies. "The pelvis stores emotions, history or trauma!" I find this correlates to what I usually see in my practice, especially in individuals who has long-term stress or anxiety. I noted how stress and anxiety is linked to a dysfunctional pelvic floor in men (mostly tensed and sensitive). Having a body reaction to a stressful situation is healthy and normal. But if stress is long-term and if you are unaware and continues to store tension in your body, eventually it will give you symptoms. Pelvic floor muscle tension symptoms can be as mild as an increase of urinary frequency to severe pelvic pain, urine retention and sexual pain. 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST PHYSIOTHERAPY VISIT

You first visit with me can in-person or online via telehealth. We will have time to connect, talk about your history and symptoms and to discuss the contributing factors to your symptoms. My goal is for you to leave with information and strategies that you can start to work right away once you leave. Pelvic Health usually can be a sensitive matter, and it is important for me to take the time to have you feel comfortable and safe. I usually will not perform pelvic exam during your first appointment.

Follow-up appointments can be 1h and 45 min long. I will usually recommend all second visits to be 1h long and then 45 min after. Your second visit will mostly include a thorough physical examination that can include pelvic exam. Pelvic exams can include rectal examination, but it is not required for every visit. I will NEVER perform pelvic exams if you are nervous or uncomfortable with it. 

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a pair of shorts. I highly recommend to book 3-4 subsequent appointments after your first appointment.