Incontinence may refer to any involuntary loss of urine or faeces. Urine leakage in women is often blamed as a consequence of childbirth but did you know that women who have only had caesarians or no children may still experience leakage. Although less common, men may also experience urine leakage especially if they have had surgery to their prostate.
Rather than simply relying on incontinence pads or washable undies there is excellent evidence to support Pelvic floor training under the supervision of a trained professional.
There are 2 main types of urinary incontinence. The first is genuine stress incontinence which occurs during coughing or sneezing and is an imbalance between the intra abdominal pressures and pelvic floor and bladder neck control. The second type is related to the bladder and is commonly referred to as Bladder Urgency or Over Active Bladder.(OAB) This is more of a sensory issue and affects the storage capacity of the bladder usually resulting in the need to empty your bladder more frequently. Sometimes you may have mixed Incontinence meaning there are elements of both types of Incontinence.
The best strategy for both is to seek medical advice and see a Continence trained professional like our Women’s & Men’s Health and Continence Physiotherapist. A typical assessment includes a full medical and musculoskeletal history to exclude other contributing factors. For example a stiff thoracic spine can affect the mobility of your diapraghm and ribs and may directly influence the performance of the pelvic floor muscles. Another major influence to good bladder health is ensuring that your bowels are working optimally.
Treatment will typically include specific pelvic floor training exercises and you will be able to see your results not just feel them working by the use of the Real Time Ultrasound. Additionally we provide support for bladder training to manage and minimise leakage from associated triggers to leakage.
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