Physiotherapy for Female Incontinence: Benefits and Conditions

Introduction

Female incontinence is a common issue that many women face. It can lead to discomfort and embarrassment, as well as physical problems such as urinary tract infections and skin irritation. Thankfully, physiotherapy can be an effective solution for treating female incontinence. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of physiotherapeutic interventions available, the benefits they offer, and why they are so effective in addressing issues related to female incontinence. We will also explore some common treatments for female incontinence, such as pharmaceutical options and surgical solutions.

Types of Incontinence

There are three main types of incontinence that affect women: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and mixed incontinence.

Stress Incontinence is the most common type of female incontinence, and involves leakage when a woman experiences sudden exercise, coughing, sneezing or other physical movements. This occurs due to weak muscles in the pelvic floor, which cannot hold back the flow of urine.

Urge Incontinence is characterized by a strong need to urinate even when there is only a small amount of urine in the bladder. This can be caused by bladder irritation, overactive bladder muscles or nerve damage.

Mixed Incontinence describes when both stress and urge incontinence occur at the same time. This type is more difficult to diagnose and treat because each condition has different symptoms and causes.

Common Treatments for Female Incontinence

There are several treatment options available to women who suffer from incontinence.

Pharmaceutical Options include medications used to relax bladder muscles, reduce inflammation and stimulate the nervous system in order to improve bladder control. This can provide relief from urge incontinence and mixed incontinence.

Surgery Options are also available, such as bladder suspensions or nerve stimulation treatments, which help to strengthen pelvic floor muscles or restore the function of the nerves controlling them. These surgeries may not always be successful and can cause discomfort or other side effects.

Physiotherapeutic Interventions such as pelvic floor exercises and biofeedback are also often recommended for treating female incontinence. Physiotherapy helps to strengthen the weakened muscles in the pelvis that lead to urinary incontinence and can be done at home or with a therapist.

Why is Physiotherapy so Effective?

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for female incontinence, as it helps to strengthen and restore the muscles in the pelvic floor. This can provide relief from both stress incontinence and urge incontinence and can reduce leakage significantly.

Physiotherapeutic interventions such as pelvic floor exercises involve specialized exercises that help to strengthen the muscle tone of the bladder and surrounding tissues. These exercises help to improve muscular control over urine flow and can be done at home or with a therapist who can offer personalized advice and support.

Biofeedback techniques are also used in physiotherapeutic treatment for incontinence, as they help to teach women how to contract specific muscles associated with incontinence. This type of treatment has been found to be extremely beneficial for those suffering from urinary incontinence and often leads to improved bladder control over time.

What is Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation?

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is an important part of physiotherapeutic interventions used to treat female incontinence. It involves strengthening, relaxing and conditioning the muscles in the pelvic area which can improve continence.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation exercises involve specific movements and positions designed to help relax and strengthen the muscles that control urinary leakage, as well as address any underlying issues related to muscle tension and control. This type of therapy has been found to be effective for treating both stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Other benefits of pelvic floor rehabilitation include improved sexual functioning, increased bladder capacity, and improved body awareness. It also helps women to become more aware of their bladder habits, such as when they should go to the toilet.

Different Types of Pelvic Floor Exercises and Their Benefits

There are several different types of exercises used in pelvic floor rehabilitation that can help to strengthen, relax and condition the muscles around the bladder. These exercises can provide relief from both stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Squeezing spinal muscles involve using your abdominal muscles while contracting the pelvic floor muscles. This can help to improve strength and control over urine flow.

Pelvic tilts and bridges involve lying on your back with your hands under your lower back. You then raise your pelvis off the ground as much as you can – this helps to strengthen muscle tone in both the abdomen and back.

Kegel exercises are one of the most common types of pelvic floor rehabilitation exercises for treating female incontinence. They involve contracting, holding and releasing pelvic floor muscles, which helps to improve muscular control over bladder emptying. Regularly doing Kegel exercises has been found to be beneficial in reducing urinary leaks significantly.

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises have several benefits for those experiencing female incontinence. Regularly doing pelvic floor rehab exercises can help to strengthen, relax and condition the muscles around the bladder, leading to improved continence. This can result in better control over urinary leaks and an overall reduction in incontinence episodes.

Other potential benefits of pelvic floor rehabilitation include improved sexual functioning, increased bladder capacity, improved body awareness and a better understanding of bladder habits such as when it is appropriate to use the restroom.

These exercises can be done regularly at home or with the assistance of a physical therapist or medical professional.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy can have a positive impact on a woman’s continence issues if done consistently and correctly. In addition to improving the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, physiotherapy can offer advice on lifestyle changes that may reduce risk factors for incontinence, such as reducing stress levels or understanding bladder habits.

The best way to benefit from physiotherapy is to consult with a healthcare professional who has experience in working with female incontinence issues. This way, they will be able to recommend the best exercises and lifestyle modifications based on your individual needs and help you maximize the potential benefits of pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy at Bergin Motion in Barrie

Here at Bergin Motion we treat both men and women for various conditions related to pelvic floor issues. Our therapists provide the appropriate exercises and advice to treat conditions associated with weak pelvic floor muscles. Due to the nature of our pelvic floor treatments all sessions take place in our private treatment rooms by a certified pelvic floor physiotherapist. If you or someone you know suffers from a condition related to the pelvic floor region book a treatment and let our therapists correct the problem.

Additional Resources

The Mayo Clinic article on urinary incontinence.

John Hopkin’s Medicine article on urinary incontinence in women.