Urinary Incontinence

Athletico’s Women’s Health Program is dedicated to improving pelvic core health and quality of life for women of all ages.

Urinary incontinence affects 15-25 million Americans (1 in 3 women), including more than 30 percent of women ages 30-59, and 52 percent of girls ages 15-18. Specialized women’s health physical therapists can evaluate symptoms of urinary incontinence and help develop the best plan of care and overall treatment. To learn more, take Athletico’s pelvic health quiz and meet with a women’s health specialist.

Common Types of Urinary Incontinence:

• Stress Incontinence – Leakage of urine with increased force through the pelvic floor. Common occurrences include leaking with coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running, exercising, standing after sitting and lifting items. There is often weakness and mobility deficits of the pelvic floor muscles, core and hips that can contribute to this leaking.
• Urge Incontinence – Increased urgency and frequency to go to the bathroom. Multiple trips to the bathroom, going to the bathroom “just in case” and going often even though not much urine may come out. Leaking may occur with increased urgency or on the way to the bathroom.
• Mixed Incontinence – A combination of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Physical Therapy Treatment for Urinary Incontinence Consists of:

• Increasing strength, stability and endurance of the pelvic core neuromuscular system (abdominals, pelvic floor muscles, hip and back muscles)
• Increasing synergy and pattern of muscle firing between the pelvic floor and core
• Use of either external or internal biofeedback for pelvic floor training and re-education
• Performing strengthening exercises in functional and dynamic movement patterns
• Improving posture/positions
• Dietary modifications
• Bladder diary and log
• Exercise/walking/mobility program
• Functional activities addressing mobility and stability
• PelvicorePro exercise program
• Home exercise program and instruction

To learn more about women’s health be sure to check out the Athletico Blog. Or find an Athletico Women’s Health Therapist near you using the button below!

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