Coos News

Bladder leaks, pelvic pain, and core weakness are problems many people quietly live with, often believing they’re just a part of aging, childbirth, or life. But these issues are treatable, and for Coos County residents, finding help is the real challenge.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs. When those muscles weaken or stop functioning properly, it can lead to incontinence, pelvic pain, difficulty recovering after childbirth, and even chronic lower back pain. These problems affect people of all ages, from new mothers to older adults and even athletes.

“Access to pelvic health is the biggest barrier,” said Katlin Janderson, a pelvic floor therapist at Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport. “Patients often have to advocate for themselves because not all providers know what services are nearby, or how pelvic floor therapy can help their patients. Too often, symptoms are brushed aside as just part of aging, which is not true.”

According to Jessica Juliano, a Licensed Pelvic Floor Therapist in Florence, the most common symptoms of her patients are bladder leakage (urgency), prolapse, bowel issues, and pelvic pain. She said that the most important thing people can do to help their pelvic floor is to avoid holding your breath and just breathe. 

Currently, there are no pelvic floor therapists based in Coos County. The closest options are in Reedsport and Florence, with waitlists stretching three to six months. Starting Line Physical Therapy, once the only local provider in Coos Bay and North Bend, closed its doors, leaving residents with few choices for timely care.

Pelvic floor therapy focuses on strengthening and restoring the function of pelvic floor and surrounding muscles through guided exercises, hands-on treatment, and patient education. Janderson says it’s not just for women, men also benefit, particularly those dealing with neurological disorders, post-surgical recovery, incontinence and pelvic pain.

“People often feel embarrassed talking about these symptoms, but they’re extremely common,” Janderson said. “You don’t have to just live with it, there are solutions.”For more information about pelvic floor therapy, or to find providers near Coos County, speak with your primary care physician or you can access a list of providers at pelvicrehab.com.