These are symptoms that can occur when someone has urinary urgency/frequency and/or urge incontinence.
People dealing with these symptoms will limit water intake, avoid social situations, and go to the bathroom ‘just in case’ throughout the day. However, despite how overwhelming the symptoms may seem, bladder retraining is an effective way to pee less frequently and stop leaking. You start with a bladder diary. Some things to include are bladder fluid intake, when you urinate, strength of the urge, how much you urinate, and if there were any leaks. By looking at the time between trips to the bathroom, we figure out how often you are urinating and determine the usual shortest interval that you could go without leaking urine. Looking at this diary, there were 1 hour and 2 hour intervals. Leaking occurred when the interval was 2 hours. The shortest usual interval was 1 hour that no leaking occurred. Therefore, this is where this person would start, going to pee about every hour.
If you are successful, then you add 15 to 30 minutes to your interval. For this diary, that would be a goal of 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Once again, if you can make the new interval and not leak with an urge for several days, increase again by 15 to 30 minutes. This continues until you reach 3 hours or a comfortable amount of time for you. An expectation of 6 to 12 weeks to reach your goals is average. Other tips and tricks for stopping leaks and urinating less often:
A pelvic therapist can help you with a bladder diary and guide you through bladder retraining. In addition, being able to perform a kegel can be an important part of your program, and a therapist can make sure your kegel is effective. Together, we can quickly get your life revolving away from your bladder! Women's Health in Physical Therapy. Jean and Glenn Irion.Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, ©2010 Evidence-Based Physical Therapy for the Pelvic Floor. Kari Bo. Elsevier. 2015 by Katelyn Sheehan, PT SplintingHave you ever experienced any of these symptoms?
If you answered yes, then splinting may be a useful tool for you. Splinting is a technique often used by patients with pelvic organ prolapse to help them fully empty their bowels or bladder. Splinting is primarily suggested for helping with constipation, but certain splinting techniques can also help with urinary symptoms. Typically, splinting is performed by inserting a clean finger into the vagina to help hold, or splint, the pelvic organs and stabilize them in a more optimal position while using the bathroom. This can help hold the bowels or bladder in a more upright position to allow for full emptying when you go to the bathroom. You may also find that splinting externally can also help; this involves applying some gentle upward pressure to the perineum (see pictures and video below). Internal splinting for the bladder/urethraBegin by sitting on the toilet. Then use a clean finger with or without some toilet paper around it. Insert the tip of your finger into the vagina and gently apply some pressure forward, away from your spine. INTERNAL splinting for the bowelsBegin by sitting on the toilet. Then use a clean finger with or without some toilet paper around it. Insert the tip of your finger into the vagina and gently apply some pressure backward, toward your spine. EXTERNAL splinting for bowelsBy Jennifer Watt, PT This time of year for Crossfitters is the CrossFit Games season, where it starts with a worldwide event called the CrossFit Open. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world and of all ages and physical abilities compete in three workouts given across the timespan of three weeks. As someone who has been doing CrossFit since 2018, this will be my fourth CrossFit Open season that I have competed in. CrossFit has become my passion. Now as a pelvic floor physical therapist, I have run into a common situation at my gym. We look up on the white board that has the WOD (workout of the day) and I would see the term “double unders.” Double unders is a form of jump roping where your jump rope must go under you twice. As soon as I see that, I see many of both my female and male buddies head to the bathroom, and in many cases multiple times before the workout starts. There is a well known video clip from CrossFit titled “Do You Pee During Workouts?” And when I watched it I got some interesting topics from the CrossFit community. Some say they definitely leak urine during double unders and box jumps. Many basically said it was a part of life as a CrossFitter and simply manage with pads. But is it okay? As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I would say it is not okay. Peeing when exercising is telling us that there is a problem with our pelvic floor. A normal pelvic floor is simply one that can do all its functions – maintain continence, support the pelvic contents and contribute towards optimal movement during functional tasks. Now there are several reasons why it may not be normal or that there is pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. What is pelvic floor dysfunction exactly? Pelvic floor dysfunction is simply where your pelvic floor is not doing its job properly. The pelvic floor is designed to provide support for your pelvic organs, help control intra abdominal pressure, control your urine and bowel movements, and help provide pleasure during sexual intercourse. One form of dysfunction could be that you have a weak pelvic floor. Common reasons why it is weak are: pregnancy and childbirth, surgery or other medical procedures, posture and behavioral habits, and lack of exercise. Another could be an overactive pelvic floor which is a condition where there may be increased pelvic floor muscle tension at rest, increased voluntary or involuntary contractile activity, or a decreased ability to fully relax the pelvic floor muscles. You could also have a damaged pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor might have been through a lot. Childbirth, cancer and radiotherapy, and other conditions can contribute to tearing, scarring and damage to the pelvic floor muscles. The nerves to the area can be damaged, the muscles themselves can become detached from the pubic bone, scarring from surgery and childbirth can cause asymmetrical contractions. So what are some things to help? First and foremost, like I said before peeing when working out is NOT normal and should be addressed. Seeing your primary care physician, urologist, gynecologist, and to get a referral for pelvic floor physical therapy. These are health care providers who have taken extensive coursework, some even board certified, on the pelvic floor muscle anatomy and will be able to properly assess your own situation and create a plan specifically for you. Other things to consider, particularly in the realm of CrossFit. Try not to rely on items like lifting belts, braces, wraps, and other means of support. This allows you to really be aware of your physical limitations and hopefully will keep you from moving or lifting something you shouldn’t. Rely on good technique with all movements. Sometimes during these WODs, we push ourselves so much that technique goes out the window. And lastly what ties both the supports and technique is straight ego. Focus and train on your weaknesses and build upon them. If we’re leaking when we hit a certain amount of double unders or box jumps, then make that your target and to slowly build upon that. As I said, leaking during workouts is not normal and one should address it and not let it go. Pelvic floor symptoms can be the reason that women stop exercising and end up living a more sedentary lifestyle. Don’t let this be you!
By Becca Ironside, PT
Your urologist has likely performed a digital exam (meaning they inserted a finger) to assess the size of your prostate. It is the test that NOBODY wants from their doctors. But the test is valuable because it can determine if your prostate is enlarged. And you are in good company, Sam, because the chances of having an enlarged prostate are as high as 50% in guys over the age of fifty. This condition is referred to as BPH, or benign prostatic hypertrophy, in the medical world. [1] As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I have treated many men with enlarged prostates, or BPH. Their complaints range from difficulty peeing (hesitation, weak stream or dribbling) to the sensation of sitting on a golf ball (or a ping pong ball, if you prefer this sport over golf)! Furthermore, erectile dysfunction can also result from having an enlarged prostate. While pelvic floor physical therapists cannot shrink enlarged prostates (we are not magicians), we can help with techniques to improve urinary flow, educate on the mechanics of urination to maximize that stream, and even teach men how to perform Kegel exercises to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Stronger muscles in the saddle region can lead to better erections. In response to your question, Sam, having an enlarged prostate is not a huge cause for concern. Remind yourself that roughly half of the guys from your graduating high school class now have the same condition. And if you want to refine what your pelvic floor muscles are doing for you, pelvic floor physical therapy is a nice option to take control of your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. Question from Lars: I had my appendix removed over 6 months ago. I have noticed that my erections are not the same since my surgery. I spoke about it with my surgeon, who prescribed Cialis. Why is this happening? Is this normal?
Answer from Becca: This is such an interesting question, Lars. Erections are obviously governed by blood flow, which is likely why your doctor prescribed the Cialis. But there is also more involved with arousal than meets the naked eye (please excuse the pun. I just get so enthused when talking about this, I cannot help myself!) The beginnings of an erection start with blood flow that is shunted to the groin. What makes erections so complex is that once the blood gets into the penis and testicles, it needs to remain there during the arousal process. In order for the blood to remain there, the pelvic floor muscles are required to lengthen to accommodate this new influx of pressure. If the muscles responsible for containing this blood are too tight, they won’t be able to do their job, which is to act as a water balloon that expands to take in more water. With tight pelvic floor muscles, guys are left with a water balloon with a much smaller reservoir and volume capacity. Now, let’s add another factor into your specific situation, Lars. The muscles of the core, specifically a deep abdominal muscle known as the transversus abdominus, have a very close relationship with the pelvic floor muscles. When the pelvic floor muscles contract in ejaculation, so does the transversus abdominus; conversely, when the pelvic floor muscles lengthen to accommodate blood in the penis and testicles, the transversus abdominus follows in suit. Given the location of your appendix and the scar tissue incurred from its removal, there may have been a disruption in the coordination of your pelvic floor and core muscles. Decreased erectile function can certainly happen if these two muscle groups are not communicating in the exquisite and refined manner which they once did. Pelvic floor physical therapists often hear of decreased quality of sex after abdominal surgeries in their patients. It is often one of the first questions I ask people who report a change in sexual habits. Lucky for you, Lars, and so many others, is that seeing a professional to manually release the scars of your surgical incisions and learning how to breathe properly during very basic life activities can reunite these muscle groups who have parted ways. As a review, the appendix removal might have caused the abdominal muscles to become bound down and unable to expand. As a result, the pelvic floor muscles might have shortened and less blood was then allowed into the penis and testicles for Lars. There are so many people for whom this is the case. And there is help in pelvic floor physical therapy! [1] http://utswmed.org/medblog/what-we-know-about-your-prostate/ By Bryn Zolty, PT
As she described her urinary symptoms to me, I decided to check the fascia located near the urethra for any restrictions or asymmetries. There I palpated a very large round dense mass. It was on the right side and felt as if it was altering the position of the bladder. The most likely cause was a fibroid, and the patient did then confirm that she had a history of a small fibroid. I had concerns that this fibroid had grown and might have been the cause of the urinary symptoms. It was certainly large, and very close to the urethra and bladder. I referred her back to her physician to have the dense mass evaluated. The physician confirmed it was a fibroid and immediately ordered a surgical consult. The fibroid was removed.
We have all been through such moments of anguish where symptoms don't add up. This patient is a reminder that we are not alone in our fear and confusion. She had a fibroid that had been driving many of her symptoms all along. It was through her persistence in getting the right care and her practitioners actually communicating with each other that a solution was found. She was her own advocate with a powerful alliance of team members to help her find an answer. She is an example of how sometimes we have to fight through the anguish and fear to find true healing. I am so thankful that this patient was kind enough to share her story to help other women continue to search even when they feel at a loss as to where to turn for answers. A pelvic physical therapist is one of the few practitioners that spends each session one-on-one for at least 45 minutes. As a result, we are able to re-evaluate and treat each session. Consider a physical therapist on your treatment team.
By Bryn Zolty, PT
How do men Kegel? In the literature, the phrase that was found to be most associated with stopping urine leakage was, “Shorten the penis.” This simple cueing creates the greatest displacement of the muscles that close the urethra. Other cues like “lift the bladder” were not as effective and increased pressure in the abdomen and pushed down on the pelvic floor. (1) It is important to be aware that you are not contracting other muscles in the legs, buttocks, and abdomen when isolating the pelvic muscles.
Every Kegel or pelvic floor strengthening program should be customized to each person. In the clinic, we work on endurance and quick contractions. For example, a home exercise program may include:
Clamps Some men lose large amounts of urine after prostate surgery, which can have a huge impact on normal daily activities. It may take time for kegels to make a difference in symptoms. A penis clamp may be an appropriate option to stop large leaks. The clamp places gentle pressure on the urethra to block urine loss. It may not stop all leakage but can significantly reduce it. When the clamp is removed, the release of pressure allows for normal urination. The amount of time recommended for wearing the clamp is variable between different devices. If you have any interest in a using a clamp, contact your physician or pelvic physical therapist to see if you are a good candidate. According to the Journal of Neurourology and Urodynamics, men " found the device easy to use, felt more confident wearing the device, and had increased levels of physical activity with device in situ." They had significantly improved urinary incontinence symptoms per the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. (2) If you are going to have a prostatectomy or already have, ask your physician for a referral to a pelvic physical therapist. They can guide you through your pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation and reduce urinary incontinence. (1) Stafford, R. E., Ashton‐Miller, J. A., Constantinou, C. , Coughlin, G. , Lutton, N. J. and Hodges, P. W. (2016), Pattern of activation of pelvic floor muscles in men differs with verbal instructions. Neurourol. Urodynam., 35: 457-463. (2) Barnard, J. and Westenberg, A. M. (2015), The penile clamp: Medieval pain or makeshift gain? Neurourol. Urodynam., 34: 115-116. Written by Bryn Zolty, PT If I just had a baby can I return to running? I’m leaking - can I do exercise that involves jumping? My doctor says I have a prolapse - can I lift weights at the gym? As pelvic physical therapists, we hear these questions every day. It is very common to wonder if after having a baby, a surgery, or if you have pain in the pelvis, if it is okay to engage in activities that can push pressure down into the pelvis. While more research is needed to better answer these questions, there are a couple of studies available that have measured the pressure in the vagina with functional tasks, yoga poses, and other exercises in attempts to answer these questions. Here is a little of what they found with a group of women ranging in age from 20-51:
These numbers can surprise people. How can a crunch be so bad if the average pressure is 23.8 and a normal daily occurrence like coughing is 98? As a therapist, my focus is drawn to the large ranges within each activity. What is the woman doing differently to crunch at a pressure of 8 compared to the woman at a 75?
As therapists we evaluate how you move and conduct each of these activities. As pelvic physical therapists we look closer at your movement, alignment, breathing, coordination, and muscle tone in relation to the pelvis. All these factors play a role in the pressure your body places on the pelvic floor. This pressure is known as the intra-abdominal pressure. This is how one woman can have very low pressure on her pelvic floor while another woman has high pressure during the same activity. The key is how they complete the task. Back to the question, can I do a crunch? Can I return to strenuous exercise? Our goal is to teach you how to do movements or activities properly while minimizing the negative impact on the pelvic muscles. A pelvic physical therapist’s job is to evaluate the movement or activity that gives you pain or makes you leak and improve it. How do we do this? Let’s take a squat for example. If a patient comes in because she leaks urine while squatting, we would explore all the possibilities.
After having babies, surgeries, or injuries our bodies change. Some of these changes can lead to incontinence or pain. A pelvic physical therapist is a great clinician to discuss these changes along with your goals for fitness or everyday activities. Whether it’s cueing on alignment or movement strategies, breathing, releasing or strengthening, it is our goal to help you reach yours. References/Citations From the Glottis to the Pelvic Floor: Making Clinical Connections. Julie Wiebe, PT, MPT,BSc, and Susan Clinton, PT,DScPT,OCS,WCS,FAAOMPT. Cobb WS, Burns JM,Kercher KW, Matthews BD, Norton HJ,Heniford BT. Normal Intra-abdominal Pressure in Healthy Adults. 2005; Journal of Surgical Research 2005; (129):231-235. O’Dell KK, Morse AN,Crawford SL, Howard A. Vaginal Pressure during lifting, floor exercises, jogging, and use of hydraulic exercise machines. International Urogyneocology Journal, 2007;18: 1481-1489. Written by former staff physical therapist, Aisling Linehan, PT Pelvic health therapists are sometimes known as women’s health therapists; however, it’s important to note many of them also treat men. Our pelvic floor therapists treat men as well as women. Pelvic therapy is effective and often life-changing for both genders.
Let’s use male pelvic pain as an example. When pelvic pain strikes, males often wait a few months for it to go away on its own. They finally visit their primary care doctor who commonly refers them to a urologist. Urologists do their best to work up patients for any harmful pathology like infection and cancer. For males with non-bacterial prostatitis, the tests for infection will be negative, and frequently prescribed antibiotics like Cipro may not help. Unfortunately, many men will continue to take it in hopes of future relief all whilst suffering from its many side effects. When urologists have sufficiently ruled out pathology but the pain remains, the patient is left wondering where to turn next. Many males turn to the internet to find that there are other people like them, in pain, alone and suffering but have found relief with pelvic floor therapy. Urologists are so effective at ruling out pathology that almost every male who ends up in a pelvic PTs office is suffering from a musculoskeletal issue. Pelvic floor tone is assessed digitally through the rectum and electronically with biofeedback. It is important to note that a high tone pelvic floor can cause any combination of the following symptoms: urinary urgency, urinary frequency, constipation, penile pain, and testicular pain/pulling/burning/retraction. Many of these symptoms can be relieved with PT interventions that may include: soft tissue release for pelvis and hips, breath training, rib/diaphragm mobility, internal pelvic floor trigger point and myofascial therapy, perineal mobility, light stretching, and gentle core strengthening.
Pelvic floor therapy is a safe space. It is not scary or threatening. Many patients feel immediate relief knowing that we have treated and helped patients just like them. We are here to educate and make space for the healing to happen. Knowledge is power and the more you know about your body they better you can treat it. If you’re looking for help and education regarding pelvic pain, contact your local pelvic floor physical therapist for an evaluation today. Written by Becca Ironside, PT. Becca is also a published Author of Fiction. Theresa came to Connect Physical Therapy in late fall of 2017. She looked like she had it all – dark, glossy hair, olive skin and a neckline without wrinkles that belied her age of 57. Theresa has two children, is married to a man from Ireland and is gainfully employed by the State of New Jersey in Trenton. Theresa has an unmistakable air of confidence. This was surprising, given her reason for seeking help in our office for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. During her first visit, Theresa confided that she had recently begun to experience fecal incontinence. It had come out of the blue, she said. A few months back, Theresa noticed severe urgency with bowel movements. She would feel spasms within her rectum and there was no warning before she would have to defecate. There were times when she could not make it to the toilet in time, and so she was forced to wear disposable pull-ups to manage her “accidents”. She had to plan her commute to work, stopping at least once in the cleanest of public bathrooms she could find, because she could not wait during traffic. Theresa’s problem was worsening. She could no longer go to social outings without scoping out for the nearest restroom. The humiliation was awful, she said. “After I married my husband, who is from the outskirts of Donegal, Ireland, I traveled overseas to meet his family,” Theresa explained. “They live very simply, these people. They wear the same clothing most days, drive old cars with manual transmissions, and do not have the same access to healthcare that we do.”
“I am so fortunate to live in America,” Theresa continued. “My Irish in-laws call me ‘A spoiled Yank’. I used to love it when they referred to me that way. I have everything a person could want. Except that now I am terrified of being in public and have to wear adult diapers. I do not feel like a spoiled Yank anymore.”
I knew that Theresa was at the end of her tether. She had tried prescription medication, daily Imodium, altering her diet and kept her legs tightly crossed at all times to avoid what still happened. I explained to her what Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy was all about. That in this type of clinic, we would do an internal examination to discern if the muscles of her perineum might be driving the fecal incontinence. “I have been through so much already. If you have to do an internal examination, so be it,” Theresa declared. After an exam of the musculature of Theresa’s pelvic floor, it felt as though her muscles were in moderate to severe spasm. These muscles control urination and defecation; they were firing so rapidly that she could not contain feces within her colon, and worked incessantly to force it out. The function of the large intestine is to pull water out of our foodstuffs and allow feces to become solid. This was not happening in Theresa’s case, because the food was not in her colon for enough time, and her stool was unformed and messy. This explained her chronic diarrhea. The treatment plan for Theresa included deep breathing, relaxation of her pelvic floor muscles and some natural over-the-counter additives to bulk up her stool. “This sounds counter-intuitive to me,” Theresa said at first. “If I relax the muscles, then won’t more feces escape unplanned?” I smiled at her and explained that if she wanted to try something new, she would have to trust me. It took almost three months of once-weekly treatment in our clinic, with a really good home program, for Theresa’s symptoms to subside. But subside, they did. She now has solid bowel movements twice daily and can control them wonderfully. Gone are the pull-ups and the fear of accidents. Her commute to work and social life have been restored to normalcy. “I cannot believe how this treatment has helped me! I wonder if this would be available to my relatives in Ireland? I hope so. But at any rate, I feel like a ‘spoiled Yank’ once more,” Theresa remarked. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is gaining rank, accessibility and respect all over the world. It likely is available to her in-laws in Donegal, Ireland. The trick is to find ways to talk about these issues and overcome the embarrassment surrounding words like rectum, feces, and stool. This is what we do, as pelvic floor physical therapists. One client at a time. For spoiled Yanks, people from Ireland and every other continent, men and women, young and older, there is help. We live in a time when anything is possible. Written by Becca Ironside, PT. Becca is also a published Author of Fiction. I met a woman named Eva* at the Pelvic Floor clinic. She came for physical therapy to address urinary leakage, which she has endured for over ten years. I had to glance at her date of birth to make sure of her age. Eva is 85 years old, and she looks spectacular. “What is your secret to looking so young and vibrant?” I asked her. “Maybe it is having good friends. Wonderful children and grandchildren. Or maybe it is just my good Danish genes,” she replied. Eva told me that she began leaking urine several years ago, but her condition is getting worse. She told me that she cannot go to the beach anymore at Point Pleasant, which is her favorite thing to do. In her medical history, I learned that Eva had had three pregnancies with vaginal births. She does not drink enough water, mostly in fear of losing even more urine. Based on her age and prior history of childbearing, I was working under the assumption that Eva had weakness in her pelvic floor muscles. Maybe a little prolapse of the bladder.
“A lot of young women come here with complaints of pain with sex,” I told her. Eva’s eyes opened wide. “Do you mean to tell me that there is treatment for that? I had two husbands and sex was awful with both of them. The pain was unbearable. I never understood what the big fuss about sex was all about.”
Here was a woman in her eighties who had lived with pelvic floor dysfunction her entire life. The painful intercourse made sense, given how much tension she was holding in her musculature. I devised a treatment program for Eva to allow the muscles of her pelvic floor to elongate. She was given a home program of self-stretching, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and an activity known as the pelvic floor drop, which is the opposite of the famed Kegels we have all read about in McCall’s Magazine. Eva has returned several times to our clinic. She has far less urinary leakage, is drinking more water (she has retrained her bladder to accommodate this), and practices yoga and deep breathing. She is planning a month-long trip to Florida, wherein she will be able to go to the beach in a bathing suit encasing her lithe body without fear. I learned something wonderful during my treatment of Eva. I rejoice in living in a time when help is now possible for these things that have plagued women for centuries. I also learned that it is never too late to change. Eva is 85. And if she responded so readily to this therapy, then anything is possible. *The name and some personal details of this patient have been changed, according to the laws of the Health Care Portability and Accountability Act. But the symptoms of Eva and the outcome of her treatment are true. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy works!
A prospective study by Filocamo and colleagues in 2005 investigated the effectiveness of early pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). After catheter removal, 300 men were randomized equally into either a structured PFMT group or a control group that did not receive exercise. Incontinence was assessed by the 1-hour and 24-hour pad test, as well as the ICS-Male questionnaire.
By 6 months, almost 95% of the PFMT group achieved continence as compared to 65% of the control group. The authors concluded that an early supportive rehabilitation program like PFMT significantly decreases continence recovery time. Filocamo M, Marzi VL, Del Popolo G, Cecconi F, Marzocco M, Tosto A, Nicita G. Effectiveness of Early Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Treatment for Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence. European Urology. 2005 Jun:48(5)734-8. Patient: 42-year-old female
Chief Complaint: Urine leakage with urgency after vaginal delivery of 2nd child + emergency hysterectomy; 6 night voids Past Medical/Surgical History: Repair of prolapse the following year + Oxybutynin with 50% decrease in symptoms; history of low back pain, irritable bowel syndrome Physical Therapy Treatment: proper voiding techniques; lower body stretches; prolapse management; posture and breathing exercises; abdominal scar release Results: 0 urine leakage with 1.5 hour urinary intervals, 0 night voids, 0 Oxybutynin in 12 visits!
(Constipation in Children. (2013).Retrieved June 9, 2014 from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipationchild/#common Urinary Incontinence in Children. (2012). Retrieved June 9, 2014 from http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uichildren/index.aspx)
Another study from Japan showed that almost half of their 784 elderly participants reported nocturia 2 times or more per night. These individuals were at greater risk for fracture and mortality. (Nakagawa et al, J Urology. 2010 October; 184(4): 1413-18.)
Simple advice like decreasing caffeine, alcohol, or any fluid near bedtime may help improve nocturia. Physical therapists can help patients with other behavioral strategies and techniques after a thorough evaluation. Other factors to consider include: sleep disorders, diabetes, poor bladder storage, kidney dysfunction, or cardiac issues. Written by Michelle Dela Rosa, PT.
1000 healthy, young women (age 16-30 in Melbourne, Australia were surveyed about continence. 6.2% of women reported urinary leakage with stress, 4.5% with urge, and 1.9% with both stress and urge. Women were also more prone to UI if they reported a history of bedwetting beyond 5 years of age.
What the Research Says: Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening on Bladder Neck Mobility8/4/2012
Written by Michelle Dela Rosa, PT.
(Hung HC et al., “Effect of pelvic-floor muscle strengthening on bladder neck mobility: a clinical trial”. Phys Ther. 2011 Jul; 91(7): 1030-8.)
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