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Pelvic floor dysfunction happens when the muscles that support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs aren’t working properly. These muscles may be too weak, too tight, or poorly coordinated—and that can lead to a range of symptoms.

The tricky part? It’s not always obvious. A lot of people live with symptoms for years without realizing the pelvic floor is the root cause.

You may have pelvic floor dysfunction if you’re experiencing:

Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise

Frequent or urgent need to pee

Difficulty starting or fully emptying your bladder

Constipation or straining to have a bowel movement

Feeling like you can’t completely empty your bowels

Unintentional stool leakage or urgency

A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis (especially after standing for long periods)

Pain in the tailbone, low back, or hips

Pain during or after intercourse

Sensation of a “bulge” or something “falling out” (could be prolapse)

Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect anyone—but it’s especially common in:

Women during or after pregnancy

Individuals in menopause

People who lift heavy weights regularly

Those with chronic constipation

Anyone recovering from pelvic or abdominal surgery

The good news: pelvic floor therapy works. It’s non-invasive, effective, and personalized to your needs. At Elite Physical Therapy, we help you:

Regain control of your bladder or bowels

Relieve pelvic pain or pressure

Strengthen and coordinate your pelvic muscles

Improve posture and core support

Get back to feeling strong and confident

📍Elite Physical Therapy | Willowbrook, IL

We proudly serve Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Woodridge, Lemont, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, La Grange, and Downers Grove.

📞 Call us today at (630) 299-5870

💻 Book your consultation online at www.elitephysicaltherapyclinic.com

Pelvic floor therapy may sound unfamiliar—or even a bit intimidating—but it’s one of the most effective and empowering treatments available for those dealing with bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, constipation, or postpartum recovery. At Elite Physical Therapy, this care is personalized, professional, and designed to restore confidence and quality of life.

Every session begins with a thoughtful conversation. The physical therapist gathers information about symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and individual goals. Whether it’s occasional leaking, chronic pelvic pain, or feeling off after childbirth, each concern is treated with respect and care.

Next comes a physical assessment that looks at posture, breathing, core control, and how well surrounding muscles—like those in the hips, abdomen, and low back—are functioning.

If appropriate, and only with full consent, an internal exam may be offered to evaluate the strength, tone, and coordination of pelvic floor muscles. This helps shape the most effective treatment plan but is always optional.

Clients are taught how the pelvic floor works and how posture, breathing patterns, and even bathroom habits affect function. This knowledge forms the foundation of long-term results and helps each person feel more in control of their recovery.

Each pelvic floor therapy plan is tailored to specific needs and may include:

● Strengthening exercises for weak or underactive muscles

● Relaxation techniques to calm overly tight or tense muscles

● Breathing and core engagement work to support pelvic stability

● Manual therapy to release muscle tension or improve flexibility

● Bladder and bowel retraining for improved control and function

Therapists also provide guidance on home exercises and practical lifestyle changes that can make a big difference over time.

Pelvic floor therapy helps people of all ages—whether they’re recovering from childbirth, navigating menopause, or managing long-standing pelvic discomfort. With consistent care, many clients report reduced pain, fewer leaks, better posture, and renewed confidence.

It’s not about “just living with it.” It’s about taking action and getting the support needed to feel better, move better, and live stronger.

📍Elite Physical Therapy is conveniently located in Willowbrook, IL, and proudly serves Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Woodridge, Lemont, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, La Grange, and Downers Grove.

📞 Call (630) 299-5870 to schedule an appointment

💻 Book online at www.elitephysicaltherapyclinic.com

Gut Pelvic Floor Connection plays a crucial role in understanding chronic constipation and abdominal pressure.

Poor gut function often affects pelvic floor health, leading to discomfort, bloating, or urinary issues.

Explore how restoring gut balance supports pelvic floor strength and improves overall well-being.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles located at the base of the pelvis. These muscles support vital organs like the bladder, uterus (in women), and rectum. They’re also responsible for bowel and bladder control. When you have regular bowel movements, your pelvic floor muscles contract and relax in a healthy rhythm. But when you’re constipated, things get disrupted.

Chronic constipation often causes people to strain while trying to pass stool. Over time, this repeated straining places stress on the pelvic floor muscles, leading to:

● Pelvic floor dysfunction

● Rectal prolapse

● Hemorrhoids

● Painful bowel movements

● Difficulty fully emptying the bowels

In women, this can also lead to bladder issues, increased pressure during menstruation, or discomfort during intercourse.

If you’ve been dealing with long-term constipation and also experience any of the following, your pelvic floor may be involved:

● Sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation

● Pain or pressure in the lower pelvis

● Needing to reposition or use your hands to assist with a bowel movement

● Increased urinary urgency or leakage

These are signs that your body is compensating for weak or uncoordinated pelvic muscles.

The good news? You don’t have to live with the discomfort. Pelvic Floor Therapy can help retrain the muscles, improve coordination, and ease constipation symptoms. At Elite Physical Therapy, we work with clients in the Chicago area to:

● Teach proper breathing and bowel movement techniques

● Improve pelvic floor muscle coordination

● Address core and postural alignment

● Relieve tension in overactive muscles

In some cases, simple adjustments in diet, hydration, and toilet posture (like using a stool under your feet)

can complement physical therapy and lead to major improvements.

📍Conveniently located in Willowbrook, IL, serving Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Woodridge, Lemont, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, La Grange, and Downers Grove.

📞 Call us today at (630) 299-5870 to schedule an appointment

💻 Book your consultation online at www.elitephysicaltherapyclinic.com

Your pelvic floor might not be something you think about daily, but it plays a huge role in your quality of life—especially as you age. From bladder control to core support and sexual health, these muscles are essential. For many people in the Chicago area, understanding how the pelvic floor changes over time is the first step to feeling stronger, healthier, and more in control.

In your 30s, the pelvic floor may begin to feel the effects of childbirth, hormonal fluctuations, or high-impact workouts. You might notice:

Occasional urinary leakage during exercise or sneezing

Mild pelvic discomfort or pressure

Core instability or difficulty with abdominal exercises

This is a great time to start pelvic floor therapy—even if symptoms are minimal. Prevention and early care make a big difference.

As you enter your 40s, hormone levels begin to shift, especially estrogen, which plays a key role in pelvic tissue health. Common symptoms during this stage include:

Increased bladder urgency or leakage

Pelvic heaviness or discomfort

Changes in sexual sensation

Low back or hip pain linked to core weakness

Pelvic floor therapy can help retrain and strengthen these muscles, restoring function and improving quality of life.

By the time you reach your 50s and beyond, menopause and aging may further weaken the pelvic floor. Without proper care, this can lead to:

Prolapse (when pelvic organs drop)

Ongoing bladder or bowel issues

Difficulty with daily movement or exercise

But here’s the good news—it’s never too late to start. Pelvic floor therapy is highly effective for older adults and can significantly improve comfort, confidence, and mobility.

📍Conveniently located in Willowbrook, IL, serving Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Woodridge, Lemont, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, La Grange, and Downers Grove.

📞 Call us today at (630) 299-5870 to schedule an appointment

💻 Book your consultation online at www.elitephysicaltherapyclinic.com

When you think about good posture, you probably picture standing up straight, shoulders back, and head held high. But what if we told you that your posture plays a major role in your pelvic health too? For many, this miss connection goes unnoticed—until pain, discomfort, or pelvic floor dysfunction begins to affect daily life.

Your posture influences how your pelvic floor muscles function. These muscles support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. When your spine is misaligned due to slouching or poor posture, the pressure on your pelvic floor changes—and that can lead to real problems like:

Urinary leakage

Pelvic pain or pressure

Constipation

Core weakness

Lower back discomfort

Over time, poor posture can weaken or overstrain the pelvic floor, making symptoms worse.

Think of your body like a chain: your head, spine, pelvis, and legs are all linked. When your posture shifts out of alignment, the tension redistributes through your core and pelvis. This can cause the pelvic floor muscles to:

Overcompensate and become tight

Stop firing properly

Lose coordination and strength

This disruption may go unnoticed for a while, but it often contributes to pelvic floor dysfunction—especially in women who are pregnant, postpartum, or in menopause.

At Elite Physical Therapy, we look at the whole picture—not just isolated symptoms. Our team specializes in posture correction and pelvic floor therapy. With a personalized treatment plan, we can help you:

Improve posture and core engagement

Strengthen or release the pelvic floor

Restore bladder and bowel control

Reduce pain and discomfort

Regain functional strength for daily life

📍Conveniently located in Willowbrook, IL, serving Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Woodridge, Lemont, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, La Grange, and Downers Grove.

📞 Call us today at (630) 299-5870 to schedule an appointment

💻 Book your consultation online at www.elitephysicaltherapyclinic.com

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it’s not always comfortable. From

back pain and pelvic pressure to bladder issues and core instability, expecting moms know these discomforts can take a toll. Fortunately, Pelvic Floor Therapy offers

a natural, non-invasive way to ease discomfort and prepare your body for a smoother

labor and delivery.

Pelvic Floor Therapy focuses on strengthening and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic

floor—the group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and bowel. During

pregnancy, hormonal changes and growing baby weight can weaken or strain these

muscles, leading to symptoms like:

● Pelvic pain or pressure

● Low back or hip pain

● Urinary leakage

● Constipation

● Pain during movement or exercise

Your journey starts with a one-on-one assessment by a licensed physical therapist at Elite

Physical Therapy Clinic. From there, a customized treatment plan is developed and may include:

∙ Canalith repositioning maneuvers to help reposition inner ear crystals causing vertigo

∙ Gaze stabilization exercises to improve visual focus during head movements

∙ Balance and gait training to reduce fall risk and improve mobility

∙ Habituation exercises to decrease motion sensitivity

At Elite Physical Therapy, we develop customized therapy plans to

meet each mom’s unique needs. Pelvic Floor Therapy can:

● Improve posture and core stability

● Reduce pressure on the lower back and pelvis

● Enhance muscle coordination for pushing during labor

● Relieve bladder and bowel issues

● Help manage diastasis recti (abdominal separation)

Preparing your pelvic floor muscles before labor helps make delivery more efficient and

may reduce the need for interventions. Key benefits include:

● Better control during pushing

● Reduced risk of tearing

● Faster postpartum recovery

● Improved confidence and body awareness

Elite Physical Therapy offers compassionate, evidence-based care to help you feel

strong, supported, and ready for delivery. We work closely with you and your healthcare

team to create a comfortable, empowering pregnancy experience.

Conveniently located in Willowbrook, IL, serving Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Oak Brook,

Woodridge, Lemont, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, La Grange, and Downers

Grove.

Call us today at (630) 299-5870 to schedule an appointment or

💻 💻 Book your consultation online at https://elitephysicaltherapyclinic.com/