Pelvic Floor Related Conditions.
Are you…
- always at the back of exercise classes?
- avoiding social outings?
- know every toilet in town?
- watch sport instead of joining in?
- can’t sit through a movie?
- things not the same since pregnancy/birth?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE!
The unwanted or involuntary loss of even a few drops of urine is an episode of urinary incontinence.
Stress incontinence is the most common form in women. It happens when you cough, laugh, sneeze or run.
Urge incontinence is when you feel the need to go to the toilet but can’t make it in time.
Pelvic floor weakness and dysfunction can affect your self esteem and independence. You are also more likely to suffer from lower back pain because the Pelvic Floor muscles that control your bladder help support the back.
THE GOOD NEWS is that keeping your pelvic floor muscles strong especially during and after pregnancy, around menopause and if you are having any gynaecological, spinal or abdominal surgery can improve or prevent problems.
Other useful tips for managing urinary incontinence are…
- keeping a healthy weight
- avoid repetitive, heavy lifting that strains the pelvic floor muscles
- don’t get constipated
- do exercise and keep your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles strong
Having a strong and functional pelvic floor is extremely important. Your physiotherapist can help you with this! A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a physiotherapist with special training in treating incontinence. Goonellabah Physiotherapy Centre offers this service in Women’s Health, so if you or someone you know suffers from even the mildest incontinence then pelvic floor muscle training can help. Your physiotherapist will asses you, and work out a plan for your treatment.
This will always involve…
- strengthening the pelvic floor muscles
- education and lifestyle advice.
By Gabby Boyce