What Is Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. It can range from leaking when sneezing to not being able to get to the restroom in time. Approximately 13 million Americans are incontinent, 85 percent of whom are women. Incontinence is most common among the elderly.
Causes and Symptoms of Incontinence
Often, the cause of incontinence is aging. The body’s muscles just don’t work as well as they used to. Symptoms include having to urinate often, urge to urinate, urine leaks when laughing or coughing, or a constant dribble of urine. The constant dribble could be because the bladder isn’t emptying completely.
How Physical and Occupational Therapy Helps Incontinence
Physical and occupational therapy treatment can improve pelvic-floor muscle function. Treatment may include Kegel exercises, biofeedback, muscle-strengthening exercises or electrical stimulation. All around, physical therapy for your patients who suffer from incontinence provides a re-education of the pelvic muscles.
How Physical and Occupational Therapy Helps Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain refers to pain in the region of the reproductive organs. It can occur in both men and women. Pelvic pain may be the result of nerve conditions, pelvic disorders, bladder disorders, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Therapists use pelvic floor therapy to treat pelvic pain. They treat the pelvic floor musculoskeletal system through both internal and external therapy. Internal techniques may include massaging out trigger points or spasms on the pelvic floor. These treatments can fix more than one area at a time. Not only is pelvic pain reduced, but your patients can eliminate the need to see several doctors. With external therapy like joint mobilization and deep tissue massage, pain is also reduced. With therapy, patients can avoid surgery and having to depend on pain meds.
Doctors also benefit from referring their patients for therapy. It provides them with an appropriate care pathway for their patients. For more information, contact us our physical therapists at Cherokee, Storm Lake, Ida Grove, Denison, IA centers.
