The testimonies of individuals who have found relief from the painful effects of Pelvic Floor dysfunction through therapeutic treatment at PT PRAXIS® shed light on a pattern of missteps. If these errors had been avoided, many of these individuals could have been spared the physical and emotional exhaustion that accompanied their prolonged search for effective treatment. For some, this journey spans one to two years, and there are even accounts in international literature of people enduring up to seven years of struggle before finally discovering a solution.
Why do patients take so long to find treatment?
The lengthy delays in finding appropriate treatment often stem from several key factors. First, many patients feel reluctant or even embarrassed to discuss their symptoms, treating them as taboo. Second, there is a general lack of awareness among physicians, who may overlook asking patients about potential Pelvic Floor dysfunctions, considering them insignificant. Additionally, a considerable number of doctors only address Pelvic Floor dysfunctions when they perceive the condition to be so advanced that surgery becomes the recommended course of action.
When does the Pelvic Floor malfunction?
Pelvic Floor dysfunctions can arise from a variety of causes, including medical treatments for cancer. Both women and men may experience issues following therapies for breast cancer or other forms of cancer, such as gynecological cancers, prostate cancer, or colorectal cancer. Pregnancy and childbirth – whether vaginal or via cesarean section—can also lead to dysfunctions affecting the skeletal structure and Pelvic Floor, such as diastasis recrti rectus, incontinence, or dyspareunia. Similarly, menopause, whether it occurs naturally or as a result of cancer treatments for breast or gynecological cancers, can have painful and distressing effects on the Pelvic Floor. In all these cases, early prevention and timely intervention should be the norm. Unfortunately, what often prevails is a lack of awareness and a tendency to dismiss or downplay the problems patients endure.
The value of awareness through continuous information
The experts of PT PRAXIS®, Mimi Marcellou and Fotini Lagari, and their associates, observe daily how much patients’ lives would improve if everyone – patients, interdisciplinary teams, trainers – were informed about the Pelvic Floor, when and how it malfunctions, and what its consequences are. Continuous education for all, regarding a health and quality of life issue such as the Pelvic Floor and its dysfunctions, could save endless time and pain, fear, and insecurity for thousands of women and men living with the consequences of Pelvic Floor dysfunction.
The value of informing the scientific team
A multidisciplinary team of experts—including gynecologists, urogynecologists, urologists, colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiotherapists, oncologists, physiotherapists, midwives, and even fitness trainers—forms the network of professionals that women and men turn to for answers to their health concerns.
It is essential for this team to have a thorough understanding of the Pelvic Floor and its dysfunctions, the musculoskeletal changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the impact of poor posture, stress, and inadequate ergonomics on the human skeletal system.
The expertise and daily practice of the professionals at PT PRAXIS® highlight key findings:
Lack of knowledge among the multidisciplinary team and the general public
The insufficient understanding of the subject leads to several critical issues:
- Ignorance of risk factors, resulting in a complete absence of prevention.
- Multiple referrals without clear direction, causing unnecessary delays.
- Diagnostic errors, leading to inappropriate treatment plans and unnecessary interventions.
- Therapeutic mistakes, delaying symptom management and negatively impacting patients’ health.
- Prolonged delays in treatment, forcing patients to “wander” among specialists without resolution, with a significant toll on their mental health.
Where Knowledge and Training Would Be Beneficial:
Enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring proper referrals tailored to each case.
Implementing effective therapeutic approaches by adopting best practices.
Providing immediate relief and holistic rehabilitation for patients.
Improving the well-being of patients who experience a loss of quality of life, as well as supporting their families.
Ignorance of the Pelvic Floor and its dysfunctions is dangerous
The Multidisciplinary Team
If you are unfamiliar with the subject of the Pelvic Floor, seek reliable information, listen carefully to your patients’ concerns, and actively exchange knowledge and experiences with your team. This will allow you to provide clear and effective guidance to your patients. Take the initiative to identify specialists in Pelvic Floor dysfunctions on behalf of your patients, and when you lack the expertise to intervene, make life-saving referrals.
The same principle applies to fellow physiotherapists. The Pelvic Floor and its dysfunctions are not typically included in our standard training. We must pursue specialized education in this area, and if we choose not to, it is our responsibility to refer patients to those who have dedicated themselves to this specific scientific field.
Patients
Every patient has the right to proper therapeutic care and intervention. It is often true that months or even years may pass before finding a physiotherapy center with specialized expertise in the Pelvic Floor, such as PT PRAXIS®.
Our advice to anyone experiencing the painful symptoms of Pelvic Floor dysfunction is this: keep searching, keep asking, and don’t settle until you find the right specialists. Once you do, you will know it.
Pelvic Floor dysfunctions affect many people
According to international studies, Pelvic Floor dysfunctions affects a significant number of people, particularly women. Nearly one in four women experiences Pelvic Floor disorders. Of these, 10% of women aged 20 to 39, 27% of women aged 40 to 59, 37% of women aged 60 to 79, and almost 50% of women aged 80 and older are affected.
