As runners, we understand the joy and exhilaration that comes with hitting the pavement or trails. However, for some individuals, running can be accompanied by a less pleasant experience: leakage.

Pelvic floor health plays a crucial role in managing this issue. But many want to know: What happens during the pelvic floor exam?

We'll explore what it entails, its significance for runners, and how it helps address leakage and other concerns.

First, let’s talk about the importance of this exam.

The pelvic floor exam is a comprehensive assessment that allows us to evaluate the condition and functionality of your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are vital for maintaining urinary and bowel continence, supporting the organs in the pelvic region, and providing stability during physical activities like running. By understanding the specific weaknesses or dysfunctions within the pelvic floor, we can develop personalized treatment plans to address these concerns and help you regain control on your runs and even in your every day life.

Before stepping into the exam room, you'll be asked to fill out paperwork that provides essential background information. This documentation ensures that we have a holistic view of your health history, including any relevant conditions or symptoms. Your honesty and attention to detail during this process will greatly assist in helping us build the best treatment plan.

Once you’re inside the exam room, we will sit down and look further into your specific symptoms, their impact on your daily life, and any concerns you may have. This creates a safe space for you to share additional information that you may have overlooked or felt uncomfortable writing down. Remember, the more detailed and open you are during this conversation, the better we can understand your unique situation.

Next, we’re going to assess your movement and strength.

To get a clear picture of your condition as a runner, we will observe your movement patterns. We may ask you to demonstrate your running form, balance, and other relevant movements. This assessment helps identify any limitations, weaknesses, or compensations in the pelvic floor muscles during physical activities.

In addition to movement assessment, we will evaluate your pelvic floor strength. This involves resistance exercises and various positions to determine how well the muscles respond and where potential breakdowns occur. By pinpointing these weaknesses, targeted interventions can be implemented to enhance muscular function and endurance.

The exam then shifts focus to the abdomen, which provides essential clues about how the pelvic floor interacts with other systems. We will assess how you manage pressure, examine the presence of scars and their impact on mobility, and evaluate gut health. This thorough analysis offers valuable insights into how the bladder and colon function and whether any imbalances exist between different quadrants of the abdomen.

Coordination between the diaphragm, transverse abdominis, and pelvic floor muscles is vital for optimal pelvic floor function. During the exam, we will check this coordination through external or internal assessments. External examinations involve testing muscle functionality over clothing, providing a baseline understanding of how these muscles work together. In certain cases, an internal examination may be necessary to obtain more detailed information about the vaginal walls or rectum for males. Throughout these assessments, you will be instructed to perform pelvic floor contractions, which help gauge muscular endurance and strength.

Finding root cause issues:

With all the gathered information, we will work with you to identify the root cause of your concerns. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan. The focus will be on addressing the specific issues that are hindering your running performance and overall well-being. By targeting the root cause, you can regain control of your pelvic floor health and achieve your running and fitness goals.

The pelvic floor exam is an essential step in understanding and addressing pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly in the context of running and leakage. By undergoing this comprehensive assessment, runners can gain valuable insights into their pelvic floor health, receive targeted treatment plans, and work towards achieving their running goals. Remember, open communication with your physical therapist and a commitment to addressing the root cause are key to overcoming pelvic floor challenges and embracing a leak-free running journey. And we’re here to help you do it!

If you've been dealing with (or ignoring!) pelvic floor issues with running (or without!), let's chat about it. All you have to do is click this link to schedule a completely free 15 minute consultation call. It could change your life!