From Pelvic Rehabilitation Therapist, Erin Hruska, DPT
People with certain types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, may experience changes in how their pelvic organs function. A person’s pelvic organs include the bladder, bowel, cervix, prostate, rectum, uterus, and vagina. Changes to the function of these organs caused by cancer and its treatment can lead to pelvic floor distress.
Scar tissue and soft tissue mobilization is an important piece of physical therapy after surgery and radiation treatments. This tissue mobilization can decrease the risk of pain, urinary and fecal urgency, urinary frequency and incontinence. Fatigue and muscle weakness, as well as sexual dysfunction, are also common symptoms physical therapy treatments address in this population.
One of the most important things we do as pelvic floor physical therapists is listen. People with cancer are navigating unknown territory and can have a great deal of anxiety and questions regarding the changes in body functions. These body functions of the pelvis are often not “common table talk”, and we may be the first to hear of the details of their symptoms.
Being able to take the time to see the whole picture, can help us to truly address the goals of our patients. The most rewarding part of being a pelvic floor therapist is to be able to take this time to develop a trusting relationship with them, and it is then, that we can address our patients’ true needs— and to help them regain some of the most vital and intimate aspects of their lives.
More Pelvic Rehabilitation Information
Meadville Medical Center’s physical therapy and occupational therapy departments have select therapists who specialize in the department of women’s health therapies. Erin Hruska, DPT, is also recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association as CAPP-Pelvic Certified. For more information about how the services of women’s health therapies can benefit you, call: 814-373-2075.
