Incontinence Physiotherapy

In plain terms,  urinary incontinence is when there is any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a problem that many men and women deal with on a daily basis, but can be afraid or nervous to talk about. In a UK study, approximately 4 million women over 40 have some form of significant urinary symptoms. This represents about 1/3rd of the population. However, only 4% asked for medical help. Urinary incontinence does not have to be something you have to deal with. A physiotherapist can help improve your quality of life and reduce symptoms of incontinence.

Types of Incontinence

• Stress Urinary Incontinence: This is when there is a complaint of leakage when you are exerting yourself or sneezing, laughing, or coughing.

• Urgency Incontinence: This would be when there is involuntary leakage with the feeling of urgency either before or after leakage

• Overactive bladder: This is when you have urinary urgency with an increased frequency of having to empty especially at night with or without incontinence. There is also a lack of a UTI or obvious medical pathology.

• Mixed Urinary Incontinence: This may include any of the symptoms described above.

Risk Factors for Increased  Urinary Incontinence

• Previous Pregnancy/Childbirth (More births, vaginal delivery, forceps delivery) 

• Fluctuating Hormones/ Going through Menopause

• Previous history of a hysterectomy

• Increased Age

• Being Female

• BMI over 30

• Frequently lifting or chronic cough

 Physiotherapy Treatment

Now that we have become familiar with Urinary incontinence, what can we do about it? Physiotherapists can provide you with advice and education on normal function and anatomy of the bladder. They can also create a customised exercise therapy program with you. This may involve training your pelvic floor muscles.

It is thought that 50% of women cannot contract correctly. Your pelvic floor muscles relax to allow you to empty, and tighten to allow you to hold. Specific training will help teach you to voluntarily relax and contract these muscles to build endurance and control. Other tools like electrotherapy, biofeedback and ultrasound can help your physiotherapist ensure you are completing this correctly.

The research shows that women who undergo pelvic floor muscle training are 8 times more likely to cure or improve their symptoms like number of times emptying, frequency of leaking, and the amounts leaking. This effect does not change with age.

Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy in Dublin 4,  Aileen Maguire has completed a post-registration course in Women’s Health and since run the pelvic floor rehabilitation service in the clinic treating both male and female patients with bladder and bowel incontinence and pelvic pain. If any of this sounds like you, give us a call today to schedule your initial appointment.