Vancouver, BC -- (SBWire) -- 12/02/2014 --The pelvic organs are the bladder, uterus and vagina, rectum and small intestine. These organs are supported by the pelvic floor from below, and a system of fascia and ligaments around and above.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse is when these organs are not supported in the correct position up in the pelvic cavity, so they drop downwards with gravity. There are several types and grades of prolapse, depending on which organ has dropped and by how much.
Commonly the bladder may drop down into the vagina from the front, or the rectum may drop down from the rear. More severe cases involve descent to the entrance of the vagina and sometimes past the entrance to the outside. Prolapse can also vary depending on activity, and the time of day or month.
Prolapse can occur as a result of poor body mechanics (slumped, tight abdominals, poor breath pattern), high impact sports putting regular and intense pressure on the organs e.g. gymnastics / running, and fascial or muscle tearing during childbirth. A weak pelvic floor is a big culprit for prolapse occurring or worsening over time, which is why recovering the pelvic floor strength post labor is so important.
The "ship on the dock" theory is a good analogy;
Imagine the bony pelvis is the dock, the pelvic floor is the ocean, and the pelvic organ (say bladder) the ship, and the ropes tying the ship/bladder to the dock/pelvis are the ligaments and fascia.
If people have a weak and loose pelvic floor, so the ocean is resting lower than it should, it is not holding up the ship/bladder, so the ship/bladder is just hanging off the dock/pelvis by its ropes/fascia. Over time the ropes/fascia stretch and the ship/bladder sinks lower onto the ocean/pelvic floor. This is prolapse.
Prolapse can feel like looseness, heaviness and weakness, and often there is a lack of sensation. It can contribute to and is associated with low back pain, incontinence, constipation, and reduced sexual sensation.
More severe prolapse may require surgery, and surgery is in fact commonly offered as treatment for prolapse. Surgery can be successful, but a solution isn't always guaranteed.
About Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy can help avoid the need for surgery. Physio looks at the cause of the prolapse, and treats both the cause and the symptoms. Post partum, physio can check for prolapse and if found can give exercises to avoid it worsening over time.
Pelvic Floor physiotherapy is offered at both of our Vancouver Physiotherapy Clinics.
Visit our website at http://www.treloarphysio.com for more information on this service or to ask a question.
Contact:
Anniken Chadwick
Pelvic Floor Therapist
Vancouver, BC
604-875-6207
http://www.treloarphysio.com
