Incontinence

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Physical Therapy for Incontinence

            Over 17 million men, women, and children suffer from incontinence and many of these individuals are unaware that there are conservative treatment methods, including physical therapy, available to decrease the symptoms.

*What is incontinence?

            Incontinence has a few common forms including stress and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence is defined as “the involuntary loss of urine during physical exertion” which can include exercise, laughing, coughing, and sneezing. Urge incontinence refers to “urine loss that occurs with a strong desire to urinate (urgency) with only a few seconds to minutes warning”. Issues with incontinence can indicate a weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, which are responsible for supporting the bladder and controlling the flow of urine.

*What are the pelvic floor muscles?

            The pelvic floor muscles are arranged like a sling from the pubic bone in the front to the tail bone in the back. These muscles have multiple functions which include supportive (to hold up the bladder, rectum, and uterus) and sphincteric (to close the openings of the bladder and rectum to prevent leakage). Like any other muscle in the body, these muscles need to be strengthened and maintained to provide optimal support and decrease episodes of incontinence.

*What are treatment options?

            Physical therapy is a conservative, non-surgical treatment option for the loss of urinary control. A physical therapist can provide education to help avoid activities which stress the bladder as well as provide behavioral techniques to retrain the bladder to decrease feelings of urgency. Also, physical therapy can involve strengthening of the muscles of the pelvic floor which support the bladder and control the flow of urine. Strengthening programs are tailored to the individual’s level of strength and function and can include the use of biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and vaginal weights. Many women have been taught that Kegel exercises will help strengthen the pelvic floor. Although this thought is true, research shows that up to 40% of women who begin Kegel exercises after only receiving verbal instruction perform them incorrectly. A physical therapist can provide the instruction and feedback necessary to properly perform these contractions and create the greatest benefit.

*How long does treatment typically last?

            The average duration of treatment is 6-9 visits over a four-month period, but significant results are usually obtained within 6-8 weeks. Once patients have adequate knowledge to perform maintenance exercises independently, studies show significant improvement or cure with 70-80% of patients.

If you would like more information about physical therapy treatment for urinary incontinence, please contact Lindsay Back, DPT at Gateau Physical Therapy at

(410) 326-3432 or visit our website at www.gateaupt.com.