Do you always have to go? Not just ‘go’, but really have to go? Is it nearly impossible for you to hold it in? Have you ever had to run for the bathroom, all the while scared you won’t make it? Do you find yourself heading for the toilet multiple times a day? Does it embarass you or keep you from doing things you love?
Trust me when I say that you, my friend, are not alone – there are 25 million other Americans in the same boat! Of those, 75 to 80% are women. Most of us think it’s just a natural part of aging.
It’s not – here’s why.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the leakage of urine at inappropriate times. Some of us can’t start going when we’re on the toilet, others leak a little bit at a time, and the rest of us can’t hold anything in at all.
If this sounds like you, physical therapy can help!
The RSPT Patient Experience
Let me walk you through the patient experience, from evaluation to treatment. Imagine a 28 year-old female, one who loved to run and couldn’t understand why her body was suddenly demanding she head to the bathroom constantly.
She went to the bathroom 8 to 10 times during the day and three time at night. Because she’d thought it was her diet, she’d cut out coffee, sugar, wheat, and citrus before she came to see me. She’d even started doing Kegel muscle exercises, without success.
Her back also hurt, a lot of the time, but it wasn’t something she appeared to be worried about when we talked during our consultation. She was already practicing exercises to manage the constant pain, as prescribed by a physical therapist.
Assessment
Here’s a snapshot of what part of my assessment of her condition looked like – her pelvis was misaligned, her nervous system hyperactive, and she had very weak muscles around her hip and core because of how she moved during the day and the way she exercised.
Results
Helping her body find a ‘new normal’ with manual therapy techniques, adjusting her exercise routine to strengthen the muscles that were weak, and modifying her Kegels made all the difference. She now no longer experiences pesky back pain, has resolved her urinary frequency, and is back to running her favorite paths.
If you’ve ‘gotta go’, don’t just go. Call me up so we can figure out how to help you together. As always, I’m here to answer your questions and concerns
Tags: Physical therapist, Health, Exercise, Running, Physical Therapy
