Regain Control: The Power of Physiotherapy for Incontinence

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the inability to control the bladder or bowel, resulting in the involuntary loss of urine or feces. It is a common condition that can affect women of all ages caused by a variety of factors, such as childbirth, menopause and aging.

Types of incontinence

There are several types of incontinence that affect women, and the most common types are:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence in the most common type of incontinence in women. It occurs when the muscles that support the bladder and urethra weaken, causing leakage during physical activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise.

Urge incontinence

This type of incontinence is characterised by a sudden and intense urge to urinate, followed by the involuntary loss of urine. It can be caused by an overactive bladder, nerve damage, or bladder infections.

Mixed incontinence

Mixed incontinence is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence.

Overflow incontinence

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder is unable to empty fully, causing urine to leak out unexpectedly.

How physiotherapy can help

Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment option for women with incontinence. A physiotherapist can work you to develop a tailored treatment plan that may include the following:

Pelvic floor exercises

These exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum, by contracting and relaxing these muscles. At Aeon Health, our women’s health physiotherapist will guide you through how to perform these exercises correctly.

Bladder training

This technique involves training the bladder to hold more urine and to empty at regular intervals. Our women’s health physiotherapist will develop a bladder training program for you that gradually increases the time between urination.

Lifestyle modifications

Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, reducing caffeine intake, and quitting smoking can all help to reduce incontinence symptoms. We will provide advice and support on these lifestyle changes.

Incontinence is a common condition that affects many women. There are a number of effective treatment options available, including physiotherapy. If you are experiencing incontinence, speak to your GP or contact us to discuss your treatment options. With the right treatment plan, you can manage your incontinence symptoms and improve your quality of life.