What Is Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Have you ever been told that your child will just outgrow their toileting issues OR to just give them Miralax and it will get better? You are not alone! We hear from exasperated parents all the time about healthcare providers who said “just wait and see”….
While some kids will eventually outgrow their problems, most will not. That is where pediatric pelvic floor therapy comes in…
What Is Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pediatric pelvic floor therapy is specialized treatment provided by licensed occupational and physical therapists. It is a highly individualized service, based on your child’s symptoms, needs, and goals. We often address incontinence, constipation, bedwetting, toilet refusal, pelvic pain, and more. The development of pelvic floor function and ultimately bowel/bladder control goes beyond just your child’s pelvic floor muscles, as it is deeply interconnected with their mental health, routines, nervous system, and so much more.
But wait….what even IS the pelvic floor? You can read more about it here! While that blog post focuses on the female anatomy (specifically focused on pregnancy/postpartum), the basic concepts still apply! We all have pelvic floors, and our children are no exception. The pelvic floor consists of muscles and connective tissue that stabilize the pelvic bones and support the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, rectum). Think of these muscles like a hammock or trampoline. They need to be able to fully contract and fully relax to provide optimal support and allow for bladder and bowel function. Learning to control the muscles to coordinate bowel and bladder function in children takes a lot of work! When dysfunction occurs, we see things like bedwetting, incontinence, constipation, and toilet refusal happen. While sometimes children can outgrow these problems, most of the time therapy is needed!
As occupational therapists, with specific training in pediatric bowel and bladder dysfunction and pelvic floor therapy, we take a holistic approach when working with children. Our ultimate goal is to help your child participate in meaningful daily activities without worrying about having accidents, feeling constipated, or worrying about where to go.
What Do Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapists Treat?
Giggle & Stress Incontinence
Overactive Bladder
Sensory Processing/interoception Challenges
Toilet Refusal
Underactive Bladder
Urinary Leakage
And more!
Bedwetting
Constipation
Diastasis Recti (Tummy Separation)
Difficulty Emptying the Bladder
Difficulty with Potty Training
Dysuria (Pain with Urination)
Frequency / Urgency of Urination
What Does Pediatric Pelvic Floor Treatment Look Like?
It depends! Treatment is tailored to your child’s unique needs and can look like…
Education on the pelvic floor
External exam (if consented) of the pelvic floor muscles
Play based therapeutic pelvic floor exercises
Breathing exercises
Establishing new habits and routines
Education regarding optimal bowel and bladder function
Self-care training
Sensory processing interventions
Parent coaching
Constipation management and support
Bedwetting education & strategies
Pretty cool right? If you think your child could benefit from services, Click HERE to set up a free discovery call. Help us change the narrative around “just wait and see…” and get the help your child deserves today!