Female Urinary Incontinence – What is it and how we can help you
Urinary Incontinence (UI) is ‘the complaint of any involuntary leakage of urine’. The most common form is stress UI, which is leakage of urine on coughing, sneezing, laughing or during any physical effort or exertion.
Urinary Incontinence can be very distressing and can be socially disruptive leading to embarrassment and exclusion from normal social activities.
New Mum MOT
A post natal health check for new mums, six weeks after birth. For all births, vaginal and caesarian, we assess your posture, lower back and pelvis. We assess abdominal muscles for gapping and strength and pelvic floor for weakness or pain.
Heartlands Physiotherapy Clinic can help!
Unfortunately, many women do not appreciate that effective treatments are available which do not involve the use of drugs. Women’s Health Physiotherapists specialise in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, the symptoms of which are reduced bladder control, urinary incontinence or prolapse.
How can Pelvic Floor Exercises Help?
Pelvic Floor exercises can strengthen these muscles so that they provide the necessary support to the bladder, womb and bowel. This will help to improve your bladder and bowel control and to improve or stop leakage of urine. There may also be a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training; this may be due to the fact that some women may need expert advice in order to assist them in obtaining the maximum benefits.
Research has shown that pelvic floor muscle training is more effective than one of the main incontinence drugs. Other research comparing non- surgical treatments found that intensive pelvic floor muscle training, alongside lifestyle changes , is the most effective method for the treatment of urinary and bowel incontinence.
Treatment
Heartlands Physiotherapy Clinic is able to offer female urinary incontinence, new mum assessment and treatments. Birgit Scott has expanded her knowledge into this speciality. Please click this link for a full biography
What does the treatment process entail?
A typical course of treatment would include an initial assessment lasting 40 minutes, during which time Birgit will discuss with you the details of your problem and your general health. Following careful explanation and with your consent she may need to assess the strength and health of your pelvic floor muscles, which would involve carrying out an internal (vaginal) examination. This will be carried out in strict privacy in an individual room with curtains for extra screening to put you at your ease. Everything discussed remains completely confidential.
At Heartlands we fully appreciate the sensitivity of such issues and you are welcome to bring a chaperone with you during this examination if you wish.
Following the assessment you would be advised on your posture and taught a simple structured muscle strengthening programme for abdominal muscles, pelvic dysfunction and pelvic floor. This would be tailored to your individual requirements and lifestyle.
Follow up treatments may be prescribed to assess progress and for further training.
To find out more please contact us
Click here to email or phone 01327 706833 to arrange an appointment.
