Occupational therapists take a holistic and client-centered approach to addressing male pelvic health by focusing on functional participation, symptom management, habits and routine, psychosocial wellness, and environmental adaptations.
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Occupational Therapy Practice Framework - 4th ed.
An overarching statement that describes occupational therapy in its fullest sense is "achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation" (AOTA,2020). The counterstones of OT include: (1) core values and beliefs rooted in occupation, (2) knowledge and expertise in the therapeutic use of occupation, (3) professional behaviors and dispositions, and (4) therapeutic use of self. (AOTA, 2020)
In Occupational Therapy practice, the focus on the whole is considered stronger than a focus on isolated aspects of human functioning (AOTA, 2020). Additionally, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (2020) designates toileting (bladder & bowel) and sexual intimacy as ADLs, which are the basis of male pelvic health.
OT Role in Pelvic Health
OT Role in Pelvic Health
Prevention: The therapist's role is to work alongside the client to reduce risk factors & prevent the onset of illness, injury, or occupational performance challenges, thereby supporting health and participation in meaningful activities.
Create/ Promote: An intervention approach that helps patients build healthy habits & routines that support their well-being.
Establish/Restore: Intervention approach that focuses on developing new skills or restoring impaired abilities to improve occupational engagement and functional independence.
Modification: Adaptation of task (downgrading/ upgrading), environments, routines, or context to enhance participation, safety, and independence in meaningful activities.
Advocacy: Practitioners' advocacy work includes serving on state and national advisory boards. Patient advocacy includes interventions that empower clients to identify and access resources that promote health, well-being, and occupational participation.
Maintain: Therapist and client work to design strategies to preserve current performance, routines, or functional skills and prevent decline in condition and occupational engagement.
AOTA, 2020
Common Conditions seen by Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Common Conditions seen by Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Gastrointestinal
Constipation: A condition that may include fewer than 3 stool outputs per week, hard or lumpy stools, straining ot pain with defecation, a sense of obstruction/ blockage to emptying, or sensations of incomplete evacuation (Rome Foundations, 2016).
Fecal Incontinence
Urinary
Urinary Incontinence: Is a condition entailing the involuntary loss of urine
Stress UI (SUI): Involuntary urine loss with exertion (laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercise) (Mason, 2023)
Urge UI (UUI): Sudden onset of a need to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (Mason, 2023).
Overflow UI: Urine loss due to incomplete bladder emptying. Causes include poor muscle contractility and/or outlet obstruction leading to overflow (Mason, 2023).
Functional UI: UI due to a lack of sufficient mobility to make it to the toilet, and/or physical, cognitive, and environmental barriers to making it to the toilet (Mason, 2023)
Post-void Dribble
Others
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
Rectum: Rectocele
Pelvic Pain
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Hip and Lower Back Pain (LBP)
Sexual Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction
Premature Ejaculation
Functional Impairments associated with prostate cancer treatment, cancer, and andropause.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Occupational therapy in the context of pelvic floor dysfunction offers many benefits, including facilitating/ restoring occupational engagement; improving bowel and bladder control; reducing pelvic pain during daily activities; and supporting individuals by exploring and engaging in new roles due to pelvic floor dysfunction and symptoms.
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