Pelvic floor therapy focuses on addressing the muscles of the pelvic floor, which are responsible for supporting the bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs. In children, pelvic floor therapy may be used to help with issues such as incontinence (both daytime and nighttime), difficulty with toileting, or constipation. In pelvic floor OT, we work on improving awareness and control of the pelvic floor muscles through exercises that help strengthen these muscles, improve coordination, and enhance the child’s ability to recognize and respond to the body’s signals. The therapist may also incorporate strategies to improve posture, breathing, and coordination between the pelvic floor and other muscles in the body. This therapy often involves exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, pelvic floor contractions, and using sensory cues to support proper muscle function. We may also make recommendations about water intake or dietary changes, and we might consult with other members of the child’s team (such as their pediatrician or GI doctor) to ensure a high level of care. The goal of pelvic floor therapy is to help children gain better control over their bodies to improve toileting habits and overall physical well-being.

Activities to Complete at Home:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing – Practice slow, deep breathing to help engage the diaphragm and pelvic floor muscles.
2. Pelvic Floor Contractions (Kegels) – Encourage your child to gently tighten and relax their pelvic floor muscles, like they’re stopping the flow of urine.
3. Sitting on an Exercise Ball – Have your child sit on an exercise ball and gently bounce to promote pelvic floor awareness.
4. Child’s Pose Stretch – This yoga pose helps relax the pelvic floor muscles while promoting awareness.
5. Squatting – Encourage squatting as a way to activate the pelvic floor and improve coordination.
6. Bridges – Lying on their back with knees bent, have your child lift their hips off the floor to engage the pelvic floor muscles.
7. Superman Pose – Have your child lie on their stomach and extend their arms and legs, helping engage the core and pelvic floor.
8. Body signals – Work with your child to identify the unique signs their body sends them when they need to pee or poop.  For example, do they get wiggly, feel hot, or feel pressure in their tummy?
9. Crawl like a Bear – This involves crawling on hands and feet, which strengthens the core and pelvic muscles.
10. Seated Pelvic Tilts – While sitting on a chair or ball, your child tilts their pelvis forward and backward to engage the pelvic floor.
11. Ball Squeeze Between Legs – Have your child squeeze a ball between their legs while sitting or lying down to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
12. Leg Raises – Lying on their back, have your child raise and lower their legs while engaging the pelvic floor muscles.
13. Wall Sits – Have your child sit against a wall with knees bent at a 90-degree angle to strengthen the pelvic muscles and core.
14. Knee to Chest Stretch – Encourage your child to pull one knee toward their chest while lying on their back to help stretch and strengthen the pelvic floor.
15. Use a “squatty potty” – This will help maintain appropriate posture for bowel movements.
16. Schedule – Use timers and visual schedules to help create a toileting schedule.
17. Balance Exercises – Standing on one leg or walking on a balance beam can help strengthen the pelvic muscles and improve coordination.
18. Jumping on a Trampoline – Gently bouncing on a trampoline helps to strengthen the core and pelvic muscles.
19. Toe Tapping – Sitting with feet flat on the floor, have your child lift and tap their toes to engage the pelvic floor and improve coordination.
20. Breathing with Movement – Practice breathing exercises with gentle body movements (like arm lifts) to engage the pelvic floor muscles during breath cycles.