Incontinence is the uncontrollable loss of urine that affects as many as 13 million people in the United States, according to the American Urological Association. Women are more likely to experience it than men. While some people tend to blame themselves for its onset, incontinence is neither loss of self-control nor an emotional illness. PhysioDynamics treats chronic incontinence rather than acute incontinence, which is the result of a temporary illness such as an infection. More likely to affect peri- or post-menopausal woman, incontinence is definitely not a normal part of aging. In fact, pregnancy is one of the most common causes of leakage in younger woman (see pregnancy and childbirth disorders).

How do you treat incontinence?

While a number of treatments help including behavioral techniques, medications, devices and surgery, incontinence is often controlled or even relieved by training the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles act as a sling to support your pelvic organs (womb, bladder and intestines), and keep your sphincters (urethra, vagina and rectum) closed at the right time. With weakened pelvic floor muscles these organs, lacking some of their support base, sag while the sphincters are no longer able to maintain enough closing pressure to keep you from leaking. Exercises such as “Kegels” are easy to do and very effective for these problems.

Many people, women in particular, feel that the loss of bladder control is just something they have to live with. This simply isn’t true! For example, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) recommends physical therapy as a non-invasive alternative to surgery. AHCPR has concluded up to 80% of patients who use physical therapy (as well as behavioral therapy) threatments correctly and consistently will improve or be cured (for more information see National Association for Continence).

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