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Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers has introduced a new pelvic health therapy program aimed at assisting women experiencing pelvic pain, bladder or bowel issues, and other conditions linked to pelvic floor dysfunction. The service uses physical therapy techniques to help retrain the deep muscles supporting the bladder, bowel, and sexual health.
Sarah Whiteside, a physical therapist and pelvic health clinician at Morris Hospital, explains that pelvic floor dysfunction can result from pregnancy, surgical scar tissue, tailbone injury, heavy lifting, or straining during high-intensity fitness activities.
"Pelvic pain and bladder or bowel leakage are never normal and shouldn’t be ignored," Whiteside stated. "For anyone dealing with issues like bladder leaks, pelvic pain, or core weakness, pelvic floor physical therapy can be life-changing. We treat the root cause, not just the symptoms, so patients can get back to living confidently and comfortably."
The hospital's program currently addresses female diagnoses such as bladder dysfunctions and associated pain syndromes. Symptoms being treated include urinary urgency and incontinence; interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome; tailbone pain; chronic constipation; difficulty passing a bowel movement; increased bowel urgency; and fecal incontinence. There are plans to expand services to include men's pelvic health concerns.
Therapy sessions involve internal and external therapies alongside functional retraining activities, therapeutic exercises, and education tailored to each patient’s symptoms and goals. These personalized sessions occur in private settings.
Six Morris Hospital physical therapists have completed training through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Whiteside noted that while complete cures might not always be possible through specialized physical therapy for these conditions, significant improvements can be achieved.
The pelvic health therapy is available at Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine locations in Morris and Ottawa. A physician's referral is required for access to these services.
For further details on the therapy program or appointments: call 815-942-8301 or 815-431-9980.
