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CONTINENCE
Incontinence is an embarrassing and distressing condition affecting up to one in three women and one in ten men of all age groups and can affect both bladder and bowel.
The most common type of incontinence is "stress incontinence", when the bladder leaks under pressure, perhaps with a cough or sneeze, when playing sport or during intercourse. The pelvic floor muscles (which support your pelvic organs ie bladder, womb and bowel) may not be able to cope with the increased pressure.
Weakness of these muscles can result from childbirth and may be exacerbated by other factors such as age, constipation, chronic cough and being overweight.
You may also experience "urgency" and "frequency" of bladder or bowel and have a problem with needing to go often to the toilet and of possibly not always getting there in time.
PROLAPSE
This is when there is descent of the pelvic organs (bladder, womb, bowel) causing a bulge into the vagina. It can be disconcerting and uncomfortable and may make it difficult to pass urine.
PREGNANCY RELATED BACK PAIN AND PELVIC GIRDLE DYSFUNCTION
The joints at the front and back of the pelvis can become painful. This very disabling condition can become a particular problem during pregancy due to ligament laxity and postural changes as your baby grows. Likewise the extra strain on the spine may cause back pain.
PELVIC PAIN
This can cause a problem with sexual intercourse and can be due to dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. Gina has specialist training in physical therapy for chronic pelvic pain. Chronic Pelvic Pain is a term used to describe pain that has been present in the pelvic region for at least 6 months or more and may include:
Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
Vaginismus (overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles)
Pudendal neuralgia (pain involving the pudendal nerve which supplies the pelvic region)
Interstitial Cystitis (a condition which affects the bladder causing urgency, frequency and pain)
HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP?
A women's health physiotherapist has specialist knowledge and training in assessing and treating these problems.
Gina Rose qualified with a BSc Hons Physiotherapy in 1993. Since then she has worked in the UK and New Zealand in both musculoskeletal therapy and women's health in which she has developed a special interest over the past ten years. She also practices in the NHS.
PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSESSMENT
This will include discussion about your work, lifestyle and medical history. If your problem is with continence, prolapse or pelvic pain it may include, with your consent, a vaginal examination to assess the strength and function of your pelvic floor muscles.
For pelvic girdle dysfunction and/or pregnancy related back pain it will include an examination of your posture and the joints and muscles of your lumbar spine and pelvis.
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT
The assessment will determine whether physiotherapy is a suitable option for your problem. The clinical diagnosis and possible treatments will be discussed with you. Throughout treatment you will be involved with any decisions that have to be made and, if necessary, your doctor can be kept informed of your progress.
Treatment may include:-
Pelvic floor exercises (tailored to your individual needs)
Bladder training to give you back your control over your bladder!
Muscle stimulation to help women who are unable to contract their muscles.
Biofeedback equipment to enable you to see your pelvic floor muscle activity and to help you work harder with your exercises. It can also help you to relax your muscles which is important if you have pelvic pain.
Manual therapy to joints and muscles to rebalance the musculoskeletal system and reduce pain.
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