Gaining Bladder Control

Private….
Individualized……
Effective treatment for urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence isn't just embarrassing, it can negatively effect your quality of life. The good news is that it's treatable.

While there are several options for treating urinary incontinence, most doctors and patients prefer to try non-surgical approaches before resorting to surgery. One of the most promising new treatments for incontinence is done through physical therapy.

Just as physical therapists help to rebuild and strengthen muscles following accidents, injuries and surgeries, they can help you to strengthen and tone the pelvic support muscles used in bladder control.

Specially trained physical therapists offer women a private, individualized treatment pan that addresses their unique needs. Called pelvic floor conditioning, the method is used for several conditions including:

Stress incontinence- leaking urine from coughing, or sneezing, or laughing

Urge incontinence- leaking urine or wetting if you don't get to a bathroom immediately.

Pelvic Floor tension- characterized by generalized pelvic pain, tailbone pain or painful intercourse.

Pelvic floor weakness- prolapsed uterus, bladder or rectum

Getting Started

A physician referral is necessary to begin the program at UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center. To schedule an appointment call 920 262-4220.

Evaluation

Evaluation is the first step in treating your condition. A complete history as well as an internal (vaginal) exam will help determine the best treatment plan. The evaluation will generally include a bladder diary and tests to measure the strength of the pelvic floor muscles.

Professional Care

UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center used specially trained physical therapists for treatment of urinary incontinence. They are trained in gynecological physical therapy and follow guidelines set forth by the American Physical Therapy Association- Section on Women's Health. Working in cooperation with your gynecologist or family physician, the therapist will design a program that addresses your unique needs.

Treatment Options

There are several different treatment options available. Your treatment plan will depend on your unique set of needs. Your physical therapist and physician may use one or a combination of all the following options:

Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercises are used to strengthen and coordinate pelvic floor muscles (Includes Kegel exercise).

Mobilization Techniques

Techniques such as massage and mobilization are used to help restore normal function to muscles and soft tissue of the pelvic floor.

Physical Agents

Specialized devices including biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and weighted vaginal cones are used to strengthen and tone muscles of the pelvic floor.

Bladder Training

Learning to regulate voiding intervals and minimize irritants are part of a bladder training program. Therapists will help you to re-train yourself to minimize risk of accidental leakage or urgent trips to the restroom.