How Physical Therapy Can Help with Urinary Incontinence
Bladder control problems, or urine leakage, can occur during the day or night, and they affect more than 13 million Americans, but you don’t have to live with urinary incontinence. Our physical therapists in Queensbury & Saratoga specialize in women’s health, and can design treatment programs to improve pelvic floor muscle strength and help you gain control over your bladder issues.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Any involuntary leakage of urine is considered urinary incontinence, however, people with this condition may also have trouble holding urine or starting the urine stream. Urinary incontinence is related to the pelvic floor muscles, which attach to the bottom of the pelvic bone and create the base of your core and form a hammock that supports your internal organs.
There are several different types of urinary incontinence based on the symptoms and causes.
Stress Incontinence
When urine leakage occurs as a result of movement or physical activity, such as laughing, sneezing, running, jumping or lifting, it is known as stress incontinence. The pelvic floor muscles surround the urethra and help keep it closed when pressure is placed on the bladder. If the muscles are weak, the urethra can open, resulting in loss of urine.
Urge Incontinence
Most women with urge incontinence have weakened pelvic muscles and overactive bladders that cause the muscles in the bladder to spasm or contract more often than they should. The result is a sudden urge to urinate and then “not being able to make it the bathroom in time”. Anxiety, as well as caffeine, sugar, acidic foods, and smoking can all contribute to bladder muscle contractions and urge incontinence.
Urinary Frequency
Rather than a leakage of urine, urinary frequency is the need to urinate more frequently than normal, or more than once every hour or two. Women with urinary frequency pass urine more than eight times a day, and may wake up multiple times throughout the night to go to the bathroom. Urinary frequency can be caused by infections and other conditions that affect the urinary tract.
Functional Incontinence
When external factors and mobility issues prevent a woman from reaching the bathroom in time, it’s considered functional incontinence. This might include a physical disability, or slowed movement due to the need for a walker or crutches. Functional incontinence can also be related to dementia or depression, and can be caused by access barriers to a bathroom, such as stairs.
How is Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed?
Our women’s health physical therapists will perform a thorough exam, and ask you to describe your symptoms and any pain in order to identify the cause of your urinary incontinence. They will assess the muscles of your pelvis, hips and lower back, and evaluate your coordination, strength and flexibility.
In some instances, we may refer you to a urologist for more diagnostic tests, which may include an ultrasound or MRI of the pelvic floor muscles, or urodynamic testing to determine how well the bladder holds and empties urine.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help with Urinary Incontinence?
Our women’s health physical therapists teach you how to locate and control the movement of your pelvic floor muscles. We design an exercise program, based on your specific condition, to improve your pelvic floor muscle function and control your bladder.
Physical therapy treatments for urinary incontinence may include pelvic floor exercises, or Kegel exercises, and other muscle strengthening techniques. We may use real-time ultrasound to assess muscle contraction, or recommend biofeedback with an internal sensor to measures your pelvic floor muscle activity. Gentle electrical stimulation may also be an option.
Physical Therapy for Urinary Incontinence in Queensbury & Saratoga
For more information, or to schedule a PT evaluation for urinary incontinence with our women’s health physical therapists in Queensbury, Malta, Saratoga & Delmar, give Capital Area Physical Therapy a call at (518) 289-5242. We can help you gain control over your symptoms and reduce the need for pads, special underwear and medicines.