Is Your Bladder Running Your Life? Consider Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Is your bladder running your life? Are you always searching for a bathroom? Do you have trouble making it to the bathroom on time? Do you feel like you are running back to the bathroom frequently? Are you Jicing (Just In Case) peeing?
What is urinary urgency?
Urinary Urgency- a sudden, strong urge to void. It can occur with or without bladder leakage !
Urgency can often be accompanied by triggers such as putting the key in the front door, running water (do you need to run to the bathroom when washing dishes?), reaching the bathroom door, and/or pulling in the driveway to name a few.
Pelvic Physical Therapy Can Help!
Do you know that your pelvic floor muscle can play a role in urgency?
Recent studies have confirmed that there is a muscular component to urgency. One study found 97% of participants demonstrated “tight” pelvic floor musculature with difficulty relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor.
PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN TEACH THE MUSCLES TO RELAX and can help regain control of your bladder urge.
Pelvic physical therapy improves the coordination, strength and the ability for the pelvic floor to relax.
We utilize techniques such as manual therapy, relaxation exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, and/ or strengthening exercising is depending on your need!
Things to reduce but not necessarily eliminate in your diet!
Bladder Irritants (these products irritate the lining of your bladder, creating more need to pee!)
Caffeinated Beverages
Coffee, Tea, and Soda
Carbonated Beverages
Citrus Juices and Foods
Chocolate
Alcoholic Beverages
Tomatoes
Asparagus
Dairy
Tumeric
Spicy Foods
Acidic Foods/Spices
Artificial Sweeteners
How a Pelvic Physical therapist can help
Helps you to understand bladder timing… bladder training (learning to extend the time between emptying.)
Helps you utilize “behavioral” techniques
NO RUSHING TO THE BATHROOM!
Reduce “just in case” peeing (only once or twice a day allowed)
Practicing Mindfulness (Awareness of Bladder Sensations)
Practicing distraction techniques when the urge is strong
Understanding the urge delay technique
Learning to relax the muscles of the pelvic floor
Learning to activate the muscles of the pelvic floor
Reducing contraption
How the Hip and Spine Contribute to Bladder Urgency?
A comprehensive evaluation of the pelvic floor and the hip and spine musculature is included in a pelvic floor examination. The hip and spine play a strong role in influencing the pelvic floor.
Hip and spine dysfunction can contribute to bladder urgency (Total hip, hip arthritis, spinal stiffness, spinal arthritis) can affect the pelvic floor muscle.
Postural influences
Postural mechanics (standing posture, sitting posture, bending activities)
Hip strength/ hip mobility
Spinal mobility
TTNS (Transcutaneous Tibial nerve stimulation)
Urgency can be helped with TTNS (Transcutaneous Tibial nerve stimulation)
Use of a two pad TENS machine with specific settings to stimulate the tibial nerve at the ankle stimulates the sacral center and helps to reduce bladder urgency
