Regain control: Exploring physical therapy for incontinence

Incontinence can be an overwhelming and often humiliating issue, affecting millions worldwide. Whether you’re dealing with stress incontinence, urge incontinence, or a mixture of both, Pelvic Health Physiotherapy for incontinence offers a highly effective solution. At Essential Alchemy, a premier medispa in Perth, we understand that incontinence can interfere with your daily life, but with the right approach, regaining control is entirely possible.

In this blog, we explore the benefits of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy For incontinence and how it can restore bladder control, improve your quality of life, and boost your confidence.

Want to regain control of your bladder? Book a consultation with one of our providers today.

Understanding incontinence

Incontinence, the inability to control bladder or bowel movements, is more common than most people think. There are several types of urinary incontinence: (1)

• Stress incontinence: Involuntary urine leakage during physical activity (e.g., coughing, sneezing, or exercising) puts pressure on the bladder, leading to urine leakage.
• Urge incontinence: Characterised by a sudden, intense urge to urinate which is difficult to defer, followed by involuntary leakage.
• Mixed incontinence: A combination of both stress and urge incontinence.

The Continence Foundation of Australia estimates that 70% of people experiencing urinary leakage do not seek help. If you or someone you know is experiencing urinary incontinence, consider Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, a highly effective treatment for managing incontinence. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy helps individuals regain control over their bladder function by targeting the pelvic floor muscles.

How physical therapy for incontinence works

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy for urinary incontinence focuses on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the bladder, uterus, and bowel and help control intra-abdominal pressure. Weakness or dysfunction in these muscles may lead to incontinence.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy involves exercises, education, and lifestyle modifications aimed at restoring muscle strength and coordination. Let’s take a closer look at some of the methods:

Pelvic floor exercises and training (Kegels)

One of the most common techniques in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy for bladder control is pelvic floor exercises or Kegels. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. Over time, consistent practice can strengthen these muscles, making it easier to control bladder function.

Your physiotherapist will guide you in identifying and engaging the correct muscles. They may recommend starting with simple squeezes, and then gradually progressing to more challenging exercises.

Real-Time Ultrasound

Transabdominal Real-Time Ultrasound (TARTUS)can provide visual feedback to help patients understand how to properly engage their pelvic floor muscles..

For individuals having difficulty isolating their pelvic floor from their abdominal muscles to initiate a lifting contraction, TARTUS offers a practical solution, enhancing their effectiveness in managing incontinence.

Bladder retraining

Bladder retraining is a strategy used in physical therapy to help individuals with urge incontinence. The goal is to gradually increase the amount of time between bathroom visits, helping to train the bladder to hold urine for longer periods.

Through bladder retraining, patients learn techniques to suppress the urge to urinate and control leakage. It’s often used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes.

Emsella: A revolutionary treatment for incontinence

Emsella, is a groundbreaking, non-invasive treatment for incontinence. Emsella is a state-of-the-art chair that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. It’s an innovative option for individuals looking for an effective, pain-free solution to regain pelvic floor muscle strength for bladder control.

How Emsella works

Emsella works by stimulating deep pelvic floor muscles through electromagnetic pulses. These pulses trigger thousands of muscle contractions during each session, targeting the pelvic floor more effectively in a shorter amount of time than traditional exercises like Kegels. These contractions help to rebuild muscle strength and coordination, improving bladder control and reducing incontinence episodes.

The benefits of Emsella for incontinence

• Non-invasive and painless: Emsella is entirely non-invasive, meaning there are no needles, no surgery, and no recovery time. You can walk into the clinic, have your session, and resume your normal activities immediately after.
• Effective for stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence: Emsella has shown to be highly effective in treating both stress and urge incontinence by targeting the pelvic floor muscles responsible for bladder control.
• Time-saving: One Emsella session delivers the equivalent of over 11,000 Kegel exercises, providing an efficient and comprehensive workout for the pelvic floor in just 30 minutes.
• Comfortable and convenient: Since the treatment is performed while fully clothed, it’s a discreet and comfortable option for those who may feel uncomfortable with more hands-on physical therapy approaches.

Why choose Emsella at Essential Alchemy?

At Essential Alchemy, we offer Emsella in Perth as part of our holistic approach to treating incontinence. Whether used as a standalone treatment or in combination with Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, Emsella provides our clients with a fast, effective way to regain bladder control and improve their quality of life.

If you’re looking for a modern solution to incontinence without the need for invasive procedures, Emsella could be the perfect option for you. Our experienced providers will assess your unique needs and guide you through the treatment process to ensure the best possible results.

Are you interested in trying out Emsella? Book a free consultation today.

The benefits of physical therapy for bladder control

There are several reasons why physical therapy for incontinence is such a popular treatment option:

Non-invasive

Unlike surgical interventions, physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment. It focuses on natural methods to strengthen and improve muscle function, making it a safer and less intimidating option for many individuals.

The International Consultation on Incontinence advises that “supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) should be offered as a first-line conservative therapy for women of all ages with urinary incontinence”. (2)

Improved quality of life

Incontinence can severely impact your daily routine, leading to stress and embarrassment. By regaining control over your bladder function through physical therapy, you can improve your quality of life, regain confidence, and participate in activities you may have previously avoided.

Long-lasting results

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy provides long-lasting results in many cases because it addresses the root cause of incontinence. By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, you’ll not only manage current symptoms but also prevent future incontinence issues.

Personalised treatment plans

One of the major advantages of physical therapy for incontinence is that it offers personalised treatment plans. A Pelvic Health Physiotherapist will assess your unique condition and design a program tailored specifically to your needs. This ensures that you get the most effective treatment possible.

What to expect from a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy appointment

If you’re considering physical therapy for bladder control, it’s normal to feel uncertain about what the process involves. Here’s what you can typically expect:

• Initial assessment: Your therapist will begin by conducting a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and physical condition. They may ask you to track your fluid intake and urination patterns to better understand your incontinence issues.
• Customised treatment plan: Based on your assessment, your therapist will create a personalised treatment plan, which may include pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback, bladder retraining or general exercise for functional strength.
• Progress monitoring: Throughout the course of your treatment, your therapist will monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. They’ll provide support and guidance to ensure that you are on the right track.

Regain bladder control today

Incontinence doesn’t have to control your life. Physical therapy for incontinence offers an effective, non-invasive solution that can help you regain control of your bladder and improve your overall well-being. At Essential Alchemy, we provide expert guidance and personalised treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results.

If you’re ready to take the first step toward better bladder control, contact Essential Alchemy today. Let’s work together to regain your confidence and restore your quality of life.

FAQs about physical therapy for incontinence

How long does it take to see results from physical therapy for incontinence?

The timeline for seeing results varies from person to person. Some individuals may notice improvement after a few sessions, while others may require several months of consistent therapy. On average, most patients experience significant improvements within 8 to 12 weeks.

Is Physical Therapy for incontinence painful?

Physical therapy for incontinence is generally painless. Some treatments, like Emsella, may feel unusual but are not painful. Your therapist will ensure that you’re comfortable throughout the process.

Can physical therapy completely cure incontinence?

While physical therapy can significantly improve pelvic floor muscle strength and bladder control, the extent of recovery depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. Many patients experience a complete resolution of symptoms, while others see a marked reduction in the frequency and severity of leakage.

Do I need a referral for Pelvic Health Physiotherapy for incontinence?

In many cases, you can see a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist without a referral, who can work in conjunction with your GP or specialist to provide you with the most appropriate care. At Essential Alchemy, we recommend consulting with one of our providers to determine the best course of action.

References

1. Haylen, B.T., de Ridder, D., Freeman, R.M. et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J 21, 5–26 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-09769
2. Incontinence 6th edition 2017 vol 1 & 2 – Abrams P, Cardozo L, Wagg A, et.al. Incontinence 6th edition ICI-ICS Bristol: International Continence Society edn. 2017.