Physical Therapy is an excellent treatment option for both urinary and fecal incontinence, including:

 

• Stress incontinence:  Leaking with coughing, sneezing, lifting, standing up, or any activity causing an increase in abdominal pressure.

• Urge incontinence or overactive bladder:  A sudden, strong urge to urinate immediately.  Urge incontinence may cause you to not be able to make it to the bathroom in time.

• Mixed incontinence:  Experiencing symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.

 

*Remember to discuss any incontinence with your doctor.  There may be an undiagnosed reason for incontinence.

 

What can physical therapy do for incontinence?

 

• Physical therapy can treat both urinary and fecal incontinence  through strengthening the pelvic floor muscles by learning how to correctly perform a kegel or pelvic floor contraction.

• Patient education is important to help with behavioral modifications to reduce incontinence.

 

What are pelvic floor muscles?

 

Pelvic floor muscles are located at the bottom of the pelvis and surround the vaginal and anal openings.   They have three main roles:

 

1. They allow the ability to control when you urinate or have a bowel movement and the passage of gas.

2. Provide support to the pelvic organs.

3. Aid in sexual appreciation.

 

What is a Kegel?

 

A kegel is a pelvic floor contraction, which is the tightening or contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.  When performing a kegel, try to tighten the muscles you would when trying to stop the flow of urine or stop a bowel movement.  When a pelvic floor contraction is performed correctly, no one else around you should notice any movement or notice you are contracting any muscles.

 

Tips to remember whil performing a kegel:

 

DO NOT:

• Hold your breath

• Strain

• Bear down

 

DO:

• Breathe

• Relax {your mind and your body!}

 

Confused or unsure if you are performing a kegel correctly?  Physical therapy with a pelvic floor physical therapist can help!