By: Kayla Carlisle PT, DPT, Cert. DN
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is a common condition that affects millions of people, both men and women, around the world. It refers to the involuntary loss of urine, which can significantly impact a person's social, physical, and psychological well-being, as well as their overall quality of life. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to treat urinary incontinence. One of the most effective approaches to treating urinary incontinence to date is pelvic floor physical therapy.
What Are the Types of Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can be broadly categorized into different types, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence, and mixed incontinence. Each type is characterized by specific symptoms and underlying causes and can affect both men, women, and children.
- Stress incontinence occurs when pressure is exerted on the bladder during physical activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercising. Depending on the severity, this increase in pressure can cause a small amount of leakage, such as a drop or two, or can cause the bladder to fully empty.
- Urge incontinence involves a sudden and intense urge to urinate, often leading to involuntary urine leakage. Urge incontinence can also involve a frequent need to urinate.
- Overflow incontinence, also known as chronic urinary retention, is a type of urinary incontinence that occurs when the bladder does not completely empty during urination. It is characterized by the frequent or constant leakage of small amounts of urine, often resulting in a feeling of bladder fullness or discomfort.
- Functional incontinence refers to a type of urinary incontinence where a person experiences unintentional urine leakage due to physical or cognitive impairments that prevent them from reaching a toilet in time. It is not caused by a dysfunction or problem with the urinary system itself, but rather by factors that affect an individual's ability to control their bladder.
- Lastly, mixed incontinence can be a combination of symptoms of the previously described forms of incontinence.
What are the Causes of Urinary Incontinence?
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of urinary incontinence. These include weakened pelvic floor muscles, hormonal changes during menopause, pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, certain medications, urinary tract infections, behavioral factors, surgery, cancer, or neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease. Before treating urinary incontinence, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
How Can Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Help?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a non-invasive, conservative treatment option for urinary incontinence. Treatment is tailored to each individual's specific needs and goals as the therapists assess muscle function and designs a customized treatment plan that may include exercises, biofeedback techniques, manual therapy, and electrical stimulation to retrain the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support the bladder, rectum, and sex specific organs.
Through targeted exercises and techniques, pelvic floor physical therapy aims to improve muscle strength, muscle flexibility, mobility, coordination, and overall function. A pelvic floor physical therapy can aid in strengthening or lengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor, depending on what the patient needs, by educating and training a patient how to appropriately contract and relax the voluntary muscles responsible for urinary control. By retraining the pelvic floor muscles, individuals can experience better control over their bladder function. This can help reduce or eliminate episodes of urine leakage and improve overall continence.
A pelvic floor physical therapy can also assist in rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles after childbirth as this can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and is one of the leading causes of incontinence in women. Pelvic floor physical therapy can aid in the recovery process by helping new mothers to regain strength and control in the pelvic region. Additionally, a pelvic floor physical therapist can provide education on healthy bladder habits, fluid intake, and lifestyle modifications that can positively impact urinary incontinence. They may also offer guidance on reducing dietary irritants and establishing a regular voiding schedule.
When Should You See a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist?
Urinary incontinence is a common and often distressing condition that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a conservative and effective treatment approach that focuses on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, improving bladder control, and reducing urinary incontinence. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence of any kind, consulting with a pelvic floor physical therapist can be a valuable step towards managing and overcoming this condition, leading to a better quality of life and restored confidence.
Professional Rehabilitation Services is experienced in screening for and treating urinary incontinence and has witnessed positive results. By using evidence-based practice, and customized treatments we will ensure that one receives optimal care. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We will be happy to advise you on your process of maximizing a fully functional lifestyle.
For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Kayla Carlisle PT, DPT, Cert DN. at one of our nine locations today!
