Erectile Dysfunction

What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and how do Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists treat it?

ED is the inability to attain or sustain an erection due to a variety of reasons. One of the common underlying causes is poor blood flow to the penis which can be a result of aging or disease or surgery.

Goal of treatment is to increase penile blood flow and improve pelvic floor muscle strength, and this is achieved by combining the following:

  • Specific pelvic floor muscle exercises to improve erection function
  • Shockwave Therapy
  • Vacuum constriction devices

What is Shockwave Therapy and how does it improve ED?

Shockwave therapy is a very successful, non-invasive therapy that uses a handheld device to deliver low -frequency, acoustic shockwaves (not electrical shocks) to the base and shaft of the penis. The shockwaves break down any restrictions in the tissue, stimulate new blood vessels to grow in the area and therefore improve blood flow and quality of erections.

Hassle FREE ONLINE appointment booking

You may book your appointment online with us. Please note that confirmation may take up to 24 hours.

FAQ

Does Shockwave Therapy hurt?
Most men tolerate the treatment very well. The sensation is like “small elastics hitting you”. If the skin is very sensitive, some men choose to put a numbing cream before the treatment.
Who provides the Shockwave treatments?
The treatment is provided by Registered Physiotherapists who have taken extensive postgraduate training in pelvic health and have studied the GainsWave protocol for ED.
How long does each treatment take?
We schedule 30mins appointments and in that time we review and progress your pelvic floor exercises and provide the shockwave treatment. Shockwave treatment is 15 to 20 minutes long.
How many treatments do I need?
This is specific to each patient but generally 6-8 treatments have shown to be effective.
Is a referral required?
A doctor’s note is not needed to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. However, we do recommend that you see your doctor if you notice any changes to your bladder, bowel, and sexual health.
Will the treatments be covered by my Insurance Company?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is eligible for insurance coverage under physiotherapy and we provide direct billing for most insurance companies.
What does research say?
There is high-level research evidence showing that pelvic floor physiotherapy yields good prognosis when utilized prior to prostate surgery and at onset of any bladder and sexual dysfunction.

Recent study published in BMC Urology in 2019 showed that:

A pelvic floor muscle exercise program commenced prior to prostate surgery enhanced post-surgical measures of pelvic floor muscle function, reduced incontinence and improved quality of life.

The Early Use of Vacuum Therapy for Penile Rehabilitation After Radical Prostatectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis published in American Journal of Men’s Health in 2018 showed that early use of vacuum therapy appears to have excellent therapeutic effect on post radical prostatectomy patients and no serious side effects were identified

Can low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy improve erectile dysfunction? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study Anne B. Olsen, Marie Persiani, Sidsel Boie, Milad Hanna and Lars Lund published in 2014 in Scandinavian Journal of Urology showed that shockwave therapy does yield positive results in men with ED and further long term studies need to be conducted.

Things that most men wish they knew?
  • That they have a pelvic floor
  • Any change in erectile function may indicate onset of heart disease
  • Physiotherapy is not something men would think of to help their ED. However, specialized pelvic floor physiotherapy focused on the pelvic floor muscles improves erection function
  • Starting pelvic floor muscle exercise program prior to prostate surgery improves incontinence and quality of life
  • Drinking alcohol especially beer can worsen urinary incontinence
  • Regular exercise after prostate cancer diagnosis can lead to lower prostate cancer mortality

Please contact us for more information! Our clinics are located near Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and near Alderwood Plaza Etobicoke.

Hassle FREE ONLINE appointment booking

You may book your appointment online with us. Please note that confirmation may take up to 24 hours.

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