Specialized Physical Therapists can help with Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence

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According to Moul et al, the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence at 3 months after radical prostatectomy is 17 to 54 % and 5 to 38% at 6 months post surgery. A study by McCallum et al reported that gains in continence will occur up to 2 years, but major gains occur in the first 3 months. Physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy can help men accelerate improvement with continence post prostatectomy by providing individualized treatment plans and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.

The pelvic floor muscles attach to the bottom of the pelvis forming a sling or hammock of muscle which support the internal organs. These muscles contract to help stop the flow of urine and gas and assist with normal sexual function.

Physical therapy can help you learn how to properly contract the pelvic floor muscles in order to increase their strength so they function normally. During your therapy, an individualized progressive exercise program for pelvic floor and core strengthening will be given. Education regarding healthy toilet habits, urinary urge control, and fluid intake will also be provided. Biofeedback training and electrical stimulation may be used to achieve better control of continence.

At Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our pelvic physical therapy team has completed extensive training in pelvic physical therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association’s section on Women’s Health. Our therapists utilize a variety of techniques as well as education to ensure each patient’s needs are addressed. All pelvic floor treatments are conducted one-on–one in a private setting.
If you feel you may benefit from this service or would like to hear more, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question.

We welcome you to a discussion on "Other" Women's Health Issues

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Fauquier Health LIFE Center is pleased to offer you the first in a series of free health discussions, focusing on gynecological/urological conditions contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction including, but not limited to, incontinence and pelvic pain. This group will help you learn about and cope with symptoms that you may be too embarrassed to discuss with your doctors or friends.

At our first session, our guest speaker is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in women’s health issues at the Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation. She will be discussing how you may benefit from pelvic physical therapy to treat your symptoms. Also, a trained exercise physiologist will provide information on how an individualized exercise/stretching program, compatible with instructions from your doctor or physical therapist, can help reduce your pain or other symptoms. Both a morning and evening session will be offered to accommodate your needs.

Guest Speakers:
Kristen Pierce, PT, DPT, cert. MDT
LeAnn McCusker, director of the LIFE Center

Location:
The Fauquier Health LIFE Center
419 Holiday Court (Suite 200)
Warrenton, Virginia 20186

Dates:
Wednesday, February 3 , 10:00 am
Wednesday, February 24, 6:00 pm

To register for one of the sessions, please call the Life Center at 540-316-2640.

If you need any further information or have any questions, please contact Marilyn Caine at 540-349-9325 or click on the button below to send her an email:

Physical Therapists offer help for Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or the complaint of involuntary leakage of urine, is not just something that happens to older people. This condition can affect men and women of all ages. The National Association for Incontinence estimates that 25 million Americans experience urinary incontinence.

Stress Incontinence is a sudden involuntary loss of urine on effort or exertion. This may occur with activities such as exercising, sneezing, coughing or laughing. Stress incontinence usually results from weakness and lack of support in the muscles of the pelvic floor. Women with stress incontinence often have “under active” pelvic floor muscles. Causes may be pregnancy or childbirth, injury or trauma, surgery in the vagina or rectum, episiotomy (during childbirth), or lack of exercise or use.

Urge Incontinence is the loss of urine that occurs as soon as you get the urge to urinate. Women with urge incontinence often have weak and “over active” pelvic floor muscles.

Mixed Incontinence is involuntary loss of urine associated with urgency and also with exertion, effort, sneezing or coughing. Mixed incontinence can include any combination of the causes of stress and urge incontinence.

Many symptoms of urinary incontinence are caused by pelvic floor muscle weakness and dysfunction. Our specially trained pelvic floor physical therapists are the ideal healthcare providers to help you gain control over your symptoms. Our therapists use their specialized medical training to evaluate your problem and design an individualized treatment program to meet your specific needs.

Physical therapy can:

• Give you control over your bladder and your life


• Save money and embarrassment by allowing less use of pads and undergarments


• Reduce use of medications for incontinence


• Possibly prevent the need for surgery

Physical therapy treatment may include:

• Education on diet and nutrition to avoid food and beverages that may irritate the bladder


• Advice on how to change behaviors that make symptoms worse


• Techniques to increase awareness of the correct use of muscles that control urinary flow


• Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor


• Exercises to stretch and strengthen other important muscles to help you gain control


• Techniques to decrease urinary urge and frequency


• Biofeedback to help you re-train your muscles


• Electrical stimulation to improve awareness and strengthen muscles

You should be referred to a pelvic physical therapist if:

• You leak urine during normal daily activities


• You leak urine with sneezing, coughing, or laughing


• You have difficulty starting a urine stream


• You have trouble holding urine when you feel a strong urge to go


• You urinate frequently (more than every 3-4 hours during the day, up more than once to urinate at night)


• You have difficulty getting to the bathroom because of other problems such as pain or balance.
  
  At Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our pelvic physical therapy team has completed extensive training in pelvic physical therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association. Our therapists use a variety of techniques as well as provide you with education to ensure your needs are addressed. All pelvic floor treatments are conducted confidentially with your therapist in a comfortable, private setting.
  
  If you feel you may benefit from this service and would like to hear more, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question.
  

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