Incontinence & Pelvic Health
Urinary incontinence has a reputation of being something that only becomes a problem for elderly people. The truth is, though, that many young people live with urinary incontinence as well.
Although both men and women can experience urinary incontinence, women are typically more at risk of developing this condition due to how their pelvic floor muscles change during pregnancy and delivery.
Many women become worried about their ability to return to work after giving birth because they don’t feel as if they can control their urge to go to the bathroom or they’re dealing with pain and discomfort.
Fortunately, there are many treatments for urinary incontinence and pelvic pain here at Revive Physical Therapy. Our skilled therapists specialize in external pelvic therapy for muscle weakness, spasms, pre, and post-natal care, strengthening, and more.
Call our clinic today to learn about our therapeutic programs and how they can help you live a more comfortable life.
Why am I experiencing pelvic pain?
If you have pain in your pelvis, it may not always be fully clear what’s causing it. Some common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain include, but are not limited to:
- Pregnancy
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Coccydynia
- Irritation of the pudendal nerve (which originates near the bottom of your spine)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Increased tension in pelvic floor muscles
- Post-surgical complications (e.g., pain following a hysterectomy, hernia repair, cesarean section)
The pelvic physical therapists at Revive Physical Therapy are highly skilled in evaluating and treating various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions affecting the body. This profession focuses on assessing any underlying factors, such as strength, neuromuscular control, balance, coordination, skeletal alignment, and endurance, which may be contributing to impaired functional mobility, activity participation, and quality of life.
Why am I experiencing pelvic discomfort?
Your pelvic floor muscles work to support your abdominal contents (specifically the rectum, bladder, and uterus), allow for urination and defecation, and prevent leakage of urine or stool when not desired. These muscles also help to stabilize the pelvis, working with your abdominal muscles, back muscles, and diaphragm. When these muscles are too weak or too tight due to a chronic condition or pregnancy, urinary incontinence, pain, and discomfort can be the result.
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is very common in women before and after giving birth. Some people with urinary incontinence may get relief by making simple lifestyle changes. If you have stress incontinence, for instance, in which you leak urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh, your physical therapist may tell you to limit how much you drink.
Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, known as Kegels, can sometimes help people with stress incontinence. Kegels can also help people with urge incontinence. Sometimes bladder retraining can also help; this process involves gradually increasing the interval time between trips to the bathroom, working up to longer and longer intervals between bathroom stops.
Mild to moderate cases of common types of incontinence can be cured or greatly improved by behavioral or exercise therapy. We can also teach you habits and techniques to reduce urgency and urge incontinence while you’re at work as well.
Pregnancy and childbirth
Revive Physical Therapy can help mothers deal with pre and postnatal pains as their bodies experience the effects of pregnancy and childbirth.
Some of the most common symptoms that expecting or new mother’s experience are:
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- Constipation
- Prolapse, or the sensation that the organs are “dropping”
- Pain during sex
- Inability to fully empty the bladder
Prenatal rehabilitation can help to prepare your body, specifically your pelvic floor, for childbirth. It enhances your ability to have a smoother delivery and recovery, and mostly consists of exercises and stretches to improve the flexibility and strength of the pelvic floor muscles.
Postnatal rehab consists of physical therapy treatments to help you with your postpartum recovery. Back and pelvic pain are the most commonly reported prenatal and postnatal discomfort forms. These can often subside after the baby is born, but they continue to persist postpartum for approximately one-third of women.
With postnatal rehab, your physical therapist will provide you with the proper resources needed for pain and muscle management, strength training, body mechanics, and flexibility/stretching.
What to expect during pelvic floor physical therapy in WA
Every patient presenting with chronic pelvic pain is unique. If you come to see a physical therapist for your pelvic dysfunction, you’ll be taken through a physical examination and a patient history questionnaire. He or she will ask you specific questions about your pain, what makes it worse and better, and whether you have a history of any related issues.
Based on the examination results, your physical therapist can then develop a customized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and address the suspected underlying causes to prevent recurring dysfunction and help you build strength in weak areas or relax tense muscles causing pain.
Strength, endurance, flexibility, and motor control of the pelvic floor muscles will also be evaluated to help in determining the best route for your treatment plan.
You don’t need to live with urinary incontinence and discomfort
If you are struggling with pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, or you’re looking for pre and post-natal care as you ready yourself to welcome your new little one into the world, Revive Physical Therapy can help you.
For both short-term and long-lasting relief without the need for invasive interventions or medications, consider consulting with a pelvic physical therapist today. Call our clinic to learn more.