Attention Male Cyclists: 10 signs it’s time to speak to a Pelvic Floor PT!

1. You feel like you are peeing....A LOT

2. You feel like you’re sitting on a golf ball

3. You feel burning and/or numbness in your Perineum (aka the Taint, Grundle, Gooch, it’s that area between the shaft of your penis and your rectum)

4. Your libido is decreased

5. Your erections aren’t as strong as they used to be...or not happening at all

6. Your genitals look like one side or both are retracted or “just look different”

7. Pain in your glutes and/or inner thighs

8. Burning or hot/cold sensation in your penis or testicles

9. When you have to pee, you can barely hold it in

10. You are constipated but haven’t changed your diet, meds, or lifestyle

What the heck is a pelvic floor and how do you rehab it?

Your pelvic floor is a sling of muscles in your pelvis responsible for healthy bladder, bowel, and sexual function. If these muscles are too tight, too weak, or have experienced trauma, you can experience bladder, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction. The good news is that they can be rehabilitated like any other muscle. It is no different from the diagnosis of other common cycling injuries, such as Achilles Tendonitis or knee pain.

What is the connection between your pelvic floor and cycling?

When you are cycling, you are literally sitting on your pelvic floor. The way in which you engage your hip/ab/back extensor/leg/ glute muscles and your posture may actually be causing muscle pain and tightness. This can impact the internal muscles just as much as the external ones, which can lead to potential decreased blood flow and nerve compression. You may also be compensating with those internal muscles due to a weak core which can also cause these symptoms.

What to expect:

Your PT will walk you through a thorough evaluation to determine range of motion, muscle strength or weakness, quality of movement, and pain. You will receive comprehensive patient education which may include exercises to do and exercises to avoid, lifestyle modifications, and optimal posture and positioning during sitting, walking, cycling and everything in between. Soft tissue mobilization in the office and at home can release muscle tension and guided exercise can stretch the muscles that need lengthening or can strengthen the muscles that are weak.

Pelvic floor physical therapists are specially trained to assess both internal and external muscles. They’ll guide you in internal and external workouts targeted for your pelvic floor muscles and other muscles which support your pelvic floor so you feel better and can keep on going!

Next Steps:

Consult a pelvic floor PT who can help resolve your symptoms, discuss proper cycling posture, and perhaps a specialized seat so you don’t have to give up the sport you LOVE!

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f you’d like to make an appointment with a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, please call Zion Physical Therapy at (212) 353-8693 or email schedule@zionpt.com.