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Incontinence

Incontinence

How in home physical therapy can help incontinence

The loss of bladder or bowel control effects many different people and for various reasons. Incontinence is caused by several factors, however, physical therapy is effective in helping people find relief of symptoms and improving control and frequency. Our in home physical therapists are here to help!

Incontinence symptoms and causes:

  • Stress induced is caused by certain activities or actions such as, coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending or other sudden movements. The underlying cause is weakened pelvic floor muscles that influence urine control. This can be due to pregnancies, trauma, inflammation, surgery or even just from age and sedentary lifestyle. This weakness or slow reaction of the pelvic muscles is what can impact urinary control.
  • According to the National Institute of Aging: Urge incontinence “happens when people have a sudden need to urinate and cannot hold their urine long enough to get to the toilet. It may be a problem for people who have diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.”

Different types of treatments:

Behavioral techniques focuses on lifestyle changes and behaviors. Through different exercises, people can start to retrain bladder and find ways to improve their symptoms. These include:

  • Bladder training, where the person purposefully delays urination to help retrain the bladder to fill more before sending signals to empty.
  • Scheduling trips to the bathroom to develop a routine and decrease frequent urges.
  • Certain foods and drinks can be avoided in order to improve bladder health.
  • Daily exercises increases muscle strength and reaction time decreases symptoms.

Medications are another way that people can find relieve of their incontinence. Some work by helping to empty the bladder more, while others work to reduce symptoms of an overreactive bladder.

Physical therapy is another great option and works by increasing strength and focusing on specific techniques. After careful evaluation, your therapist will create a treatment program with exercises to work on pelvic floor muscle function, as well as provide necessary education to the patient so they can better understand how incontinence impacts them and strategies to mitigate it.  Physical therapists can identify irritants such foods and liquids that worsen conditions. They will assist in behavior modifications to promote improved bladder health such as fluid intake, avoiding irritants, timed voiding, and more. 

Exercises and treatments:

Kegel Exercise and other muscle strengthening exercises – an technique in which the person squeezes the pelvic muscles and imagines stopping the flow of urine. This exercises works on strengthening and controlling the muscles involved with urination. Strengthening accessory muscles and working on muscle activation will provide additional support for improved bladder health

At First State Rehab At Home we begin with careful evaluation and then utilize a series of different techniques which specifically target incontinence symptoms. Our in home physical therapist are ready to listen, educate and help!

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Physical Therapy at Home – Comfortable & Convenient!

First State Rehab at Home provides in-home physical therapy to adults of all ages in New Castle County, DE. Our mobile physical therapists have over 40 years of experience and work one-on-one with you, devoting our full attention to you every in-home rehabilitation visit.

Bring in the First State Rehab At Home Team to get you on your way!

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