It can be used to address issues such as muscle weakness or tightness post childbirth, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, constipation, fecal or urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.
[2] PFPT is considered to be a key element in the treatment of CPP, working to reduce pain or enhance function by normalizing pelvic floor muscle tone and endurance.
[4] Passive muscular support and voluntary/reflexive contractions of the pelvic floor are important for maintaining continence during bouts of increase in intra-abdominal pressure like coughing, sneezing, etc.
The treatment of overactive bladder syndrome, a more complex disorder characterized by a larger range of symptoms, as well as fecal incontinence with PFPT has shown more modest success.
For patients who have urinary incontinence along with some other health condition, such as interstitial cystitis or scarring of pelvic muscles after delivery, a physiotherapist will introduce a customized treatment plan to solve bladder problems, as well as offer relief from the pain and discomfort associated with the disease.
[6] There are also many benefits associated with pelvic floor physical therapy specifically in postpartum women including increasing muscle strength and endurance on top of decreasing the rate of urinary incontinence.
[11] C-sections are becoming more prevalent and those who received PT afterward improved pelvic floor muscle tone and strength and positively impacted their daily function and sexual activity at 6 months postpartum.
[11] Various modalities can be done alongside typical physical therapy treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence, "such as biofeedback, electrical stimulation, or multi‐modal exercise programmes".